Goshen Art Gallery is partnering with Da Tang Fine Arts in showcasing some of the best original art pieces by highly acclaimed Singapore artist, the late Mr Teng Nee Cheong. This exhibition is curated in remembrance of Mr Teng’s contribution to the local art scene and in retrospective approach to his works that transformed from pen, ink, oil and charcoal over the 40 years of his artistic career.
Teng Nee Cheong is an artist renowned for his exotic palette that reflects the various influences of cultures and traditions around Asia. His works use distinct symbols of adjacent cultures or religions, such as Balinese mythology, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Born in 1951 in Singapore, geographically located in the hub of various cultural exchanges of Southeast Asia, Teng paints in oils and draws with charcoals, inspired by Asian mural paintings and Persian miniatures, in his depiction of flora in particular.
Teng’s paintings are known to be of bright colours and juxtaposed for maximum effect. They are more than a mere means to an end. He observed that during a full moon, the shadows of trees and plants take on a new and very different character. Unusual compositional elements accentuate the desired aesthetic. For example, a vase barely fits into the top of a painting in order to fully show the traditional cloth that lies underneath. Objects appear to defy gravity. The focus in his paintings thus turns towards structure and colour.
Teng Nee Cheong studied at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore. His works was exhibited in Holland, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Paris, Singapore and United States. He was given the Ministry of Culture Special Award (1978), Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Alumni Association Creative Award (1982), Singapore Art Society Tan Tze Chor Art Award (1991) and Phillip Morris Group (ASEAN, 1993/95/96). His works are among the collections of the National Museum Art Gallery ( Singapore), Ministry of Foreign Affairs ( Singapore) and Neka Museum ( Bali), and highly sought after by international auction houses.
Teng passed away from nasopharyngeal carcinoma in 2013.
Venue: No 1, Coleman Street, #B1-31, The Adelphi, Singapore 179803
Hours: Monday – Saturday 12.00 pm – 6.00pm
When: 26 Feb - 18 Mar 2016,
