LOT 66 | Auction XXXV

 

LOT 66

CHUAH THEAN TENG, DATO

B. China, 1914 – 2008

Malay Ladies in a Village, 1980s

Signed “Teng” on lower right

Batik

91 x 63 cm

Provenance Private Collection, Kuala Lumpur 

RM 24,000 – RM 30,000  

 

Known as the Father of Batik Painting in Malaysia, Dato Chuah Thean Teng earned his stripes from his use of batik as a medium of fine art since 1953. He studied at the Amoy Art School. His artistic proclivities includes landscapes, people and even animals, often a cultural education of the way of life in a particular community, their relationships and beliefs.

The subject is sophisticated and focused in her duties. The rich, vivid earthy browns, oranges and yellows, gives it an almost archaic and extraordinary feel to it, as if an archaeologist has discovered one of the oldest treasures.