The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA@Singapore) is proud to present the second chapter of its retrospective on the late second-generation Singaporean artist Chen Cheng Mei. ‘As She Paints: In Memory of Chen Cheng Mei’ is dedicated to exploring the artist’s individual journey, which parallels Singapore’s own path towards independence and prosperity.
Running from 26 October to 7 December 2025, the exhibition stands as a highlight of Singapore’s cultural calendar, bringing renewed artistic energy to the Tanjong Pagar Distripark.
Co-organised by MOCA@Singapore, Linda Gallery, and 33 Auction, the exhibition is made possible through the generous support of local collectors. It features over eighty works in oil, etching, and mixed media—half of which are being shown to the public for the first time. Unlike the earlier installment, this second chapter offers a more intimate portrait of Chen, focusing on personal fulfillment as the wellspring of her creativity. Moving beyond conventional narratives of the Nanyang Style, it reveals how Chen’s sense of contentment fueled a six-decade career marked by originality, empathy, and quiet strength.
Chen Cheng Mei is celebrated for her luminous portrayals of landscapes, human figures, and daily encounters. Her masterful use of colour and her intentionally naïve compositions evoke the spirit of Picasso’s reflection: “It took me a lifetime to paint like a child.” Raised in a loving household, Chen was deeply influenced by her father — a horticulturist who cultivated new orchid species and tropical fruits.
This environment nurtured her acute sensitivity to color and form. In her mature years, she favored ochre and sepia tones layered on textured canvases, complemented by vibrant greens that conveyed raw vitality. Through this palette, Chen transformed the natural world into a distinctly personal vision.
Venue: MOCA@Singapore, 39 Keppel Road, #01-01 Tanjong Pagar Distripark, S089065
When: 27 Oct - 7 Dec 2025, 10am - 7pm
By: MOCA@Singapore
