What the Brush Remembers – 60 Years of Creativity and Heritage 

Chua Ek Kay was known for blending traditional Chinese art forms with Western art techniques, a combination that features prominently in his paintings. Trained under Singaporean master brush painter Fan Chang Tien, he later developed a keen interest in Western art. He was awarded the Cultural Medallion in 1999 and the Juror’s Choice award at the Philip Morris Group of Companies ASEAN Art Awards in 1998.

Borobudur Golden Bamboo Pavilion
1996, Ink on paper, 95 x 89 cm

Sculptor Han Sai Por is well-known for her sculptures carved in stone, bringing to life figurative forms and organic shapes to hefty granite blocks. She has exhibited her works internationally in Southeast Asia, China, South Korea, North America and Europe. Some of her works are on permanent displays in Singapore’s hotels, libraries and Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations as well as in parks of Malaysia, Japan, United States and the United Kingdom. Han was awarded the 1995 Cultural Medallion for her contribution to art.

Tropical Leaf Series M2
2021, Pulp and acrylic on canvas, 76 x 76 cm

Tropical Leaf Series M4
2021, Pulp and acrylic on canvas, 76 x 76 cm

Inner Forest Through the Artist’s Eyes No.7
2024, Gel pen on paper, 37.6 X 55.6 cm

Inner Forest Through the Artist’s Eyes No.10
2024, Gel pen on paper, 42.0 x 56.4 cm

Kumari Nahappan was born in 1953, Klang, Selangor, Malaysia. She now lives and works in Singapore.Kumari’s work includes interdisciplinary genres, painting, sculpture, and installations. She has forged a reputation for effectively reconciling the language of “international contemporary art” with her own vocabulary and developing a visual identity that is decisively shaped by her cultural roots and beliefs.

She has earned numerous awards and exhibited in Singapore, and internationally with major exhibitions including, the ANIMA MUNDI International Art Festival in Venice, Tropen Museum, Amsterdam, Mori Museum, Tokyo, Museum der Kulteren, Basel Seoul Art Centre in Korea and the Museum Rudana in Bali.

The Echo
2004, Acrylic on linen, 164 x 94 cm

Maya One
2005, Acrylic on linen, 47 x 169 cm

Lin Hsin Hsin is an interdisciplinary artist, IT visionary, and inventor, renowned for her groundbreaking work that merges art and technology. Rooted in mathematics and computer science, Lin is also a poet and composer, demonstrating a diverse range of talents. As a student of Singaporean pioneer artists Liu Kang and Cheong Soo Pieng, she was influenced by their artistic philosophies.

A trailblazer ahead of her time, Lin made early forays into digital techniques for visual and performing art, establishing herself as an innovator in the intersection of art and technology. In 1994, she achieved a significant milestone by launching the world’s first virtual museum, challenging traditional notions of art presentation and curation. Since then, Lin has continuously pushed the boundaries of artistic expression by discarding conventional painting methods and embracing new technological paradigms. Through her pioneering approach, Lin Hsin Hsin has reshaped the landscape of contemporary art, inspiring generations of artists to explore the limitless possibilities of technology in artistic creation.

Images
1978, Oil on canvas, 127 x 87 cm

Path to the Future
1976, Oil on canvas, 102 x 82 cm

Born in Singapore and holding a Bachelor degree with Honours in biology from Nanyang University, Singapore (1979), Ng Yak Whee had a lifelong passion for creativity. After completing his academic journey, he heeded his inner calling and embarked on a career as a professional artist. Ng Yak Whee’s artistic style is notably influenced by the Russian-French artist Marc Chagall, offering a departure from traditional art movements like Impressionism, Cubism, and Abstract Expressionism.

He demonstrates versatility across various mediums, including oil, acrylic, ink painting, Cartogravures, and photography. His artwork breaks away from conventional single-perspective depictions, embracing multiple viewpoints within a single image. This approach yields dream-like imagery imbued with his distinctive style and a keen sense of colour.His work won the UOB Painting of the Year Award in 1992, and he also received the Dr. Tan Tsze Chor Art Award three times in 1988, 1998, and 2016. In 2024, he was honored with the inaugural World Chinese Fine Arts Golden Brush Award.

Phoenix Tree – Rebirth
1991, Oil on canvas, 204 x 153 cm

Tan Choh Tee is celebrated as a master of impressionist oil painting, renowned for his ability to evoke deep emotions through his vibrant landscapes and still life compositions. A recipient of the 2006 Cultural Medallion for Visual Arts bestowed by the Singapore Government, Tan’s artistic journey was shaped by his education at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, where he studied under the guidance of pioneering artists such as Cheong Soo Pieng, Liu Kang, and Georgette Chen.

Inspired by his mentors, Tan developed a distinctive style characterised by intense colours and expressive brushwork, creating compositions that resonate with viewers on a profound level. Through his impressionist approach, Tan captures the essence of his subjects, infusing his paintings with a sense of life and emotion. With each brushstroke, Tan Choh Tee invites viewers into a world of beauty and introspection, where the natural landscape becomes a mirror for the human experience.

Lingering Memories
2021, Oil on canvas, 50 x 40 cm