CHEONG SOO PIENG | Sarawak Life

Private Collection, Singapore

This work is in good overall condition. Examination under ultraviolet light reveals no sign of restoration as viewed. Framed.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Sarawak Life is a seminal work by Cheong Soo Pieng, a Singaporean artist widely celebrated for his expansive representations of the rich cultures and lush landscapes of Southeast Asia. Nothing short of intricate, this present lot is an exquisite portrayal of the daily lives of the Sarawak locale, as Soo Pieng depicts the charming interactions between his subjects, situated amongst the verdant backdrop of the tropics. The villagers have descended from the kampong via a narrow, steep pathway down to the river stream – it’s rippling waters painted in rhythmic strokes. Executed on jute, the rough nature of the material’s surface lends interest and texture to Soo Pieng’s ink painting. Maintaining his fascination with unconventional, everyday materials, the artist elevates what many might deem a humble medium into a vehicle for innovation.  As seen in his earlier metal relief works, Soo Pieng uncovers his tireless experimentation in Sarawak Life. While the scrap metal works in his 1970s series hinted towards the industrialization of Singapore, the aesthetic effect produced by ink application to the jute fibers is apt for the bucolic subject matter in the present piece.

With an unparalleled affinity for detail, Soo Pieng carves out every detail of the landscape with subtle nuances in tones as well as fluid, controlled lines, which captures perfectly the true spirit of the local scenes, subjects and life of Sarawak. Despite adhering to a palette of muted, earthly brown tones, Soo Pieng manages to illuminate the canvas with a dream-like quality, as his attentive brushstrokes dot the canvas with textural undulations, which create light and depth within the foliage of the trees and the surfaces of the mountains. Soo Pieng’s masterful assemblage of colour and shapes breathes life into the flourishing flora and rich cultures of the island, as he illustrates the inherent interactions between nature and humanity. Sentimental in its very nature, this present lot is evocative of Sarawak’s utopian days, as Cheong Soo Pieng provides viewers with a brief vignette into its luxuriant tropics and the delightful rituals of its locale.