Shui Tit Sing

Self Portrait 1939 Watercolour on paper 32 x 23.5 cm

Self Portrait, 1939, Watercolour on paper, 32 x 23.5 cm

Artist Shui Tit Sing

Shui Tit Sing

Details:

Shui Tit Sing (1914–1997) was a Chinese-born Singaporean artist and art educator renowned for his teak wood sculptures that celebrated the everyday lives of ordinary people with authenticity and an oriental sensibility, bridging art and life in profound harmony.

Education:

1937 Hangzhou National College of Art (Painting Department), Hangzhou, China

1940 National College of Art (Western Painting Department), Hangzhou, China

A Life Dedicated to Art and Education

Shui Tit Sing (b. 1914, China – d. 1997, Singapore) studied at Hangzhou National College of Art (Painting Department), graduating in 1937, as well as National College of Art (Western Painting Department), which he graduated from in 1940. Following his graduation, he moved to Singapore where he taught art and Chinese Language at Catholic High School from 1948 to 1977.

An Influential Figure in Singapore’s Art Scene

He was a regular exhibitor at major group exhibitions in Singapore and an active member of the Society of Chinese Artists. Additionally, he was also involved in artistic tours with the Ten Men Art Group to places in Southeast Asia in the 1960s and 1970s.

A Friendship Forged in Art

Shui Tit Sing was a close friend and classmate of Zao Wou-Ki, and their deep friendship stemmed from their shared academic journey and unwavering passion for art.

A Transition to Sculpture

From 1968 on, Shui worked completely in wood carving.

Capturing the Lives of the Ordinary

He believed his teak sculptures were oriental in style and must impart a sense of reality, showing the hardworking lives of the ordinary people engaging in their ordinary activities.

Art and Life in Harmony

Being made with an absolute purity of intent to represent the living world, Shui’s oeuvre becomes the locus where art and life come closest.

Solar Eclipse

1955
Watercolour on paper
38.5 x 56.5 cm

Solar Eclipse 1955 Watercolour on paper 38.5 x 56.5 cm

Elephant Carriages

1955
Woodcut print
15.3 x 20.7 cm

Elephant Carriages 1955 Woodcut print 15.3 x 20.7 cm

Kampong in Malaya

1941
Watercolour on paper
23 x 31.4 cm

Kampong in Malaya 1941 Watercolour on paper 23 x 31.4 cm

Selected Solo Exhibitions

2023

Being Made, Art Agenda, Singapore

2014

Shui Tit Sing – 100 Years of an Artist through his Archives, an exhibition by the“Singapore Art Archive Project (SAAP) @ CCA”, NTU CCA Singapore, Gillman Barracks, Singapore

Life of A Sculptor: The Story of Shui Tit Sing, That Spare Room, Singapore

1982

Art In Action: The Nature’s Way of Life (Woodcarvings by Shui Tit Sing), National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore

Group Exhibitions

2024

Figuring a Scene, National Gallery Singapore, Singapore

2022

Nothing is Forever: Rethinking Sculpture in Singapore – The First Exploration of Singaporean Sculpture in Three Decades, National Gallery Singapore

2019

Another Diorama, Hu Yun in collaboration with Shui Tit Sing; NUS Museum, Singapore

200: Sculpture Society (Singapore) Annual Show 2019, Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, Singapore

2016

Anywhere but Here, Bétonsalon – Center for Art and Research; Paris, France

Singapore Art Archive Project @ SA SA BASSAC: Koh Nguang How and Shui Tit Sing, SA SA BASSAC; Phnom Penh, Cambodia

2010

The Story of Yeh Chi Wei (Works by The Ten Men Group), National Art Gallery and Singapore Art Museum; Singapore

2002

Singapore in Prints: 1950s to 1960s, A Historical Narrative Through Woodblock Prints, NUS Museums; National University of Singapore, Singapore

1998

History Through Prints: Woodblock Prints in Singapore, Singapore History Museum and Printmaking Society (Singapore); Singapore History Museum, Singapore

1996

A Century of Art in Singapore, National Heritage Board and Singapore Art Museum; Singapore Art Museum, Singapore

1995

Art 60: Exhibition in Commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of The Society of Chinese Artists, The Society of Chinese Artists; Orchard Point Art Gallery, Singapore

1990

Urban Artists: 25 Years of Singapore Art, National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore

1988

Art ’88, Ministry of Community Development, Lianhe Zaobao, and Lianhe Wanbao; News Centre, Singapore

1985

Nanyang Art Exhibition, Asian Pacific Conference on Arts Education Organising Sub-Committee; Regional English Language Centre, Singapore

1981

Singapore Art Society Annual Exhibition, Singapore

1980

Singapore Festival of Arts 1980: Exhibition of Contemporary Art, Ministry of Culture and National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore

1979

The Art Exhibition – 1st South East Asian & Pacific Congress of Biochemistry, Social Programme Sub-Committee of the 1st South East Asian & Pacific Congress of Clinical Biochemistry; National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore

The Singapore Cultural Foundation Fund-Raising Art Exhibition, National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore

Elders in Celebrity Art Exhibition, The Lee Kong Chian Museum of Asian Culture and The Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Singapore

1978

Art ’78: An Exhibition of Works by Artists in Singapore to Mark the Second Anniversary of the Official Opening of the National Museum of Art Gallery, National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore

Singapore Festival of Arts 1978: Exhibition of Contemporary Art, National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore

Singapore Historical Building Art Exhibition, Ministry of Culture; Victoria Memorial Hall, Singapore

1977

Art ’77 (National Museum Art Gallery First Anniversary Exhibition), National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore

Art Today, Singapore Art Society; Victoria Memorial Hall, Singapore

1976

South-East Asia Art Association Art Exhibition 1976, South-East Asia Art Association; National Library, Singapore

Drawing and Sketches Exhibition, Singapore Art Society and Sin Chew Jit Poh; Sin Chew Jit Poh Promotional Centre, Singapore

Our People (Art Exhibition), Ministry of Culture; Victoria Memorial Hall, Singapore

Contemporary Singapore Sculpture, National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore

1975

Singapore Teachers Art and Craft Association First Exhibition, National Museum Young People’s Gallery, Singapore

1974

South-East Asia Art Exhibition 1974, South-East Asia Art Association, Victoria Memorial Hall, Singapore

1973

Art For Everyone, Ministry of Culture and The People’s Association, Paya Lebar Community Centre, Singapore

1970

Life in Sumatra,  Victoria Memorial Hall, Singapore

1969

Art 150: A Grand Exhibition to Commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Singapore, Victoria Memorial Hall, Singapore

1968

Singapore Teachers’ Art, Craft and Photography Exhibition, Victoria Memorial Hall, Singapore

Singapore Festival ’68, Singapore Arts Council and National Theatre Trust; The Gay World, Singapore

1967

Singapore Chinese Middle School Teachers’ Association and Union Building Fund Exhibition, Singapore

Singapore – Its Life and People (National Day 1967 Art and Photography Exhibition), Singapore Arts Council; Victoria Memorial Hall, Singapore

1965

Tour of Sarawak, 1965 (Ten-Men Art Exhibition), Victoria Memorial Hall, Singapore

1964

Eleven Singapore Artists – Scene from Cambodia and Thailand (Ten-Men Art Exhibition), Victoria Memorial Hall, Singapore

1961

Cultural Festival 1961 – Exhibition of Works by Local Artists, Ministry of Culture; Victoria Memorial Hall, Singapore

1960, 1967, 1971–1973, 1975–1977, 1979, 1981

National Day Art Exhibition, Singapore

Exhibition of Works by Local Artists in Celebration of First Anniversary of Self-Government, Ministry of Culture, Singapore Art Society, The Society of Chinese Artists, The Equator Art Society, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, and Singapore Academy of Arts; Victoria Memorial Hall, Singapore

1946

The Society of Chinese Artists Annual Art Exhibition, Singapore