LOT 53
Cheung Pooi Yip
B. Penang, 1936
A Forgotten Town, 1988
Signed and dated “Pooi Yip 88” on lower left
Gallery label affixed on reverse
Acrylic on canvas
81.5 x 98.5 cm
Provenance Private Collection, Kedah
RM 10,000 – RM 13,000
“I develop my identity with bold colours, jagged lines and irregular rhythms,” the artist claimed.
Cheung Pooi Yip, with his flashy and severely bright colours creates this blocky and staunchly-detailed image of a town, possibly the old-fashioned kampong style that are steadily going out of fashion in the age of modernity. Bold yet rhythmic is this piece, the colours falling in tandem in unity and balance.
As a result of the rough lines and the scattered patterns, this audacious painting comes off as raw, real and it captures the very essence of artistry and tenacity. The painting has the ability to light up an entire room, not just because of its colours but perhaps, due to the imprint of parts of Cheung Pooi Yip’s own persona and character as well.
Born in Penang in 1936, Cheung Pooi Yip moved to Kedah, where he improved and refined his talent and skills in painting. Despite having no formal training in art, he aspired to become an artist. However, he became a frameworker instead due to the economy, while producing artworks at the same time. After emerging in the local art scene in 1961, his paintings were selected for Singapore’s local artists’ annual show. Since then, he has been participating in plenty of exhibitions, gaining recognitions and awards, his passion driving him for over 55 years.