LOT 74
JOLLY KOH
B. Singapore, 1941
Abstract, 1969
Signed and dated on the reverse
Acrylic on canvas
127 x 152.5 cm
Provenance
Private Collection, Kuala Lumpur
Acquired directly from the artist in 1969
RM 60,000 – RM 80,000
“I believe a painting must be beautiful in order to be able to fulfill its function of uplifting the soul.” – Jolly Koh
True to his word, Jolly Koh creates a dream landscape – a cool, pulsating wash of colours that invigorate, revitalize and soothe the soul. With a combo of streaks, this piece is stunning in its sporadic energy. It is peaceful, quiet and comforting.
His exploration of the relationship between colour and space result in this beautiful masterpiece, with the only disruption of the beautiful colour-space being the strokes and streaks of white at the bottom. This piece is translucent and breathtaking, as Jolly Koh successfully takes the viewer to another fantasy world with producing yet again another romantic and lyrical painting.
Jolly Koh was born in Singapore, where he studied for his National Diploma in Design at Hornsey College of Art, London in the year 1962. A year after, he obtained his Art Teacher’s Certificate from London as well, and his Masters at Indiana University, USA in 1972. His artworks have been exhibited at the National Art Gallery in Victoria, Australia, Bank Negara Malaysia, the Fullerton Hotel in Singapore and J.D. Rockefeller III Collection, just to name a few.