LOT 44
TAN CHOON GHEE
B. Penang, 1930 – 2010
Malay Kampong Village, 1962
Chinese ink on paper
58 x 32 cm
Private Collection, Singapore
Signed and dated “Tan 1962” on lower right
RM 5,000 – 9,000
By infusing the Chinese classical paintings’ calligraphic brushstrokes and the British watercolour approach, Tan Choon Ghee creates pieces that are ethereal, desirable and unmitigated in its exquisiteness. With gentle brushstrokes and the way the ink blends into the white background gives it that faint, misty glow that provides his pieces with an air of nostalgia. This composition captures wooden houses on stilts nestled amid natural surroundings, drawn with lively yet fluid lines that suggest both movement and tranquillity. This early work not only reflects Tan’s technical mastery of ink but also reveals his deep sensitivity toward Malaysia’s cultural landscapes, portraying the kampong as a timeless emblem of community and tradition. Tan Choon Ghee was considered one of the most established Malaysian artist. He obtained his training in art from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore in 1951, before continuing to his studies at the Slade School of Art in the United Kingdom in 1958, where he was awarded scholarships from the West Germany Government and Australian Broadcasting Commission.