Cheong Soo Pieng

This work is in very good overall condition as viewed. Examination under ultraviolet light reveals no sign of restoration as viewed. Framed.
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Cheong Soo Pieng is highly regarded as a pioneering artist and key figure in the emergence of the Nanyang style, which developed in Singapore during the late 1940s. As an avid traveler of Southeast Asia, he was influenced by the region’s aesthetics and cultural motifs, many of which appear in his paintings. One of the places the artist frequented was Sarawak, the Malaysian island near Borneo. The vibrancy of the island’s local traditions and routines fascinated him, and many of his paintings are dedicated to the Sarawak culture and people.

The present work Portrait of a Girl captures a moment of repose, featuring a slender maiden who stops to observe a delicate bird. Carrying a basket of fruits on her head, she gently tilts her countenance to focus on the bird. She maintains her balance, presenting to the viewer her elegant poise. The bird, in turn, establishes a rapport with the girl by staring back at her.

The composition of the painting is reminiscent of Western portraits of the Madonna archetype, notably how the woman gracefully drapes her head in a shawl and her bears a downcast expression. Her graceful torso, which dominates the picture plane, stands in front of a horizon, but behind the branch and bird. Cheong imbues a sense of depth into the work, including visual elements that further anchor the angelic visage of the lady to the Sarawak countryside. Painted with a warm colour palette highlighted with shimmering gold paint, this work exudes with a richness that echoes Baroque mosaics. The harmony of the composition instills a sense of serenity in the piece, which reflects the artist’s desire to capture the mystical beauty of bucolic island scenes.

By portraying a naïve child captivated by the quotidian aspects of nature, Cheong rejoices in the simplest joys of life. He represents the intrinsically inspirational nature of sincere humanity, an ideal sentiment to be immortalized on canvas.