LOT 71
KWAN CHIN
B. Kuala Lumpur, 1943
Farming II – Blue Series, 2011
Signed “Kwan Chin” on lower right
Batik
25 x 27 cm
Fishing Village, 2011
Signed “Kwan Chin” on lower left
Batik
25 x 27 cm
Provenance Private Collection, Kuala Lumpur
Illustrated on page 15 of “Malaysian Villagescape
by Kwan Chin” exhibition catalogue
Published in 2013 by KL Lifestyle Art Space
RM 1,500 – RM 2,800
In these batik pieces, Kwan Chin depicts a calm, peaceful atmosphere of the village folk. These two pieces capture perfectly the scenery of these village people going about their daily lives – the first walking home after a hard day’s work during sunset, and the other during the day when they are busy working. Using complex and thorough detailing, and the strenuous task of producing batik from scratch, Kwan Chin is one of the few artists who still uses the batik medium in art.
Born in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur in 1946, Kwan Chin attended the Nanyang Academy of Fine Art in Singapore during which he learned how to use traditional art materials. Shortly thereafter, he delved into the world of advertising but once he was introduced to batik, it instantly changed his career path. His batik pieces are rich in colour and his work is known around the world, having been exhibited in London and Miami.