LOT 41
JEHAN CHAN
(B. Melaka, 1937-2011)
Koi Fish, 2001
Signed and dated “Jehan Chan 2001” with seal on lower left
Oil on board
24.5 x 25 cm
Provenance
Private Collection, Canada
SOLD – RM 1,680
Taking a different turn from his usual watercolour works, Jehan Chan employed the use of oil for this piece. The Japanese koi fish are highly decorative on their own, but when captured on canvas, it becomes a totally ornamental masterpiece. Captured here are the Inazuma, the Hi and the Sandan koi fish. These domesticated common carp are illustrated beautiful with such vibrant and saturated colour in a water garden. Koi fish are a fairly familiar symbol that represents good fortune, success, prosperity, longevity, courage, ambition and perseverance.
In the late 1980, Jehan began experimenting with watercolour on rice paper and made this his distinguishing style after perfecting it. Frank Sullivan gave him his first two solos at the Samat Art Gallery in in 1968 and 1970. Jehan was the recipient for the Merit Award in the Art India Exhibition and the 1st Prize (Category D) in the Salon Malaysia competition. He was a student at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, during which his mentor was the legendary Cheong Soo Pieng.