Sarkasi Said, Red V

Nine Singaporean modern and contemporary painters present their work from 4 August to 27 September at Galerie Belvedere, presenting an opportunity to discover the artistic dynamism of the City-State.

Multi-talented Dick Lee (b.1957) has firmly established himself as a composer and performer, often recognised through his works as the spokesperson for the New Asian generation. Lee studied fashion and graduated from the Harrow School of Art in London. He launched his career as a visual artist with his first exhibition in 2013, entitled “Imperfect Memory” at Galerie Belvedere.

Sarkasi Said (b.1940) is considered one of Singapore’s foremost batik painters. Called the “Baron of Batik”, he is known for his audacious and vibrant abstract style, and his mastery in unconventional wax-resist techniques. His works are part of many distinguished public and private collections including those of the Singapore Art Museum, the Sultan of Johor and the Sultan of Brunei.

Chen Wen Hsi (b.1906-1991) is one of the celebrated pioneer artists of Singapore, known for his avant-garde painting style. Chen experimented and developed a variety of styles inspired by Fauvism and even Cubism. During his career, he has held 38 solo exhibitions in London, Beijing, Hong Kong, Melbourne and Kuala Lumpur. As a passionate art educator he had greatly influenced many of Singapore’s Second Generation artists. National Gallery Singapore has his works in its permanent collection.

Wong Keen (b.1942) is an artist who spans two worlds and two philosophies – Asian tradition and American individualism. The synthesis of Eastern and Western art makes his works stimulating to Asians and adds a facet of mystery for Western viewers. The Singapore Art Museum (SAM) commemorated him with an exhibition called “A Singapore Abstract Expressionist” in 2007. The Museum also has sixty-three of his works as part of its permanent collection.

A Singaporean Maestro Painter, Sun Yee‘s (b.1909 – 2009) works have been met with exhibition successes in France and Japan. A competent artist of Chinese brush and oil medium, she had exhibited at the Salon des Beaux Arts in Paris in 1953. She established the Singapore Academy of Arts and was an active participant in the emerging Malayan art world. In her art and writings, Sun Yee advocated the development of localised visual idiom based in and around local subject matters. Her works are in the permanent collection of the NUS Museum.

Other featured artists are Ong Kim Seng, Andre Tan, Kng Choon Seng, Tay Bak Koi.

Exhibition:     Singaporean Talents: A Celebration
Dates:     4 August – 27 September 2014
Venues:     Galerie Belvedere, 140 Hill Street #01-10/11/12, Singapore 179369
Info:     www.galerie-belvedere.com