Cheong Soo Pieng | Untitled (Set of 3)

Courtesy of Woosea Gallery

Cheong Soo Pieng is regarded as a pivotal figure in the development of Singapore’s modern art. Born in Xiamen, China, he was part of a group of artists that attempted to articulate a style identifiable and pertinent to post-war Singapore, which art historians Redza Piyadasa and T.K. Sabapathy termed “Nanyang Style”. During his lifetime, Cheong presented 19 solo exhibitions in cities such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, London, Munich, Brisbane, Taipei and Hong Kong. His work continues to be studied, exhibited and widely collected, and is part of public collections including: National Heritage Board, Singapore; National University of Singapore; University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur.

1959 is an important year in Cheong’s career, as he developed his distinctive style of painting Malay women after a trip to the Dayak longhouses of Borneo. During his travels, the artist would collect visual material and produce sketches and studies for future works. This untitled ink on paper drawing depicts three Malay adults going about their everyday life in the village. Particular attention is given to their garments and headwear. Cheong’s lifelong interest in the subject of village life would later be innovatively explored across different materials, such as Chinese ink, oil paint, batik, as well as mixed media assemblages. The stylised representation of Dayak women with almond shaped eyes and elongated limbs is one defining aspect of Cheong’s expansive visual vocabulary.