Artcommune Gallery presents Cheong Soo Pieng: A Retrospective, an exhibition that looks back on Singaporean artist Cheong Soo Pieng’s artistic journey from the 1940s to 1980s.
When we think of the pioneering generation of artists in Singapore, Cheong Soo Pieng definitely makes the list, and it’s likely that nearly everyone has come across his artworks more than once in their lifetime. What makes us so certain? Well, that's because the orange-coloured painting that adorns the reverse side of Singapore's fifty-dollar bill is one of his many masterpieces.
Through over 100 magnificent works on display, you’ll be able to journey through Cheong’s artistic career spanning 40 years, taking you from his involvement in the Nanyang art movement during the 1950s to his later exploration of European influences in the 1960s. You’ll also witness his evolving artistic styles from Chinese ink paintings to lyrical abstract forms, as well as various themes that mirror the stages and experiences of his life's journey.
'Mother and Son' by Cheong Soo Pieng (1952)
Oil on canvas, 81 x 65 cm
This painting exemplifies the Nanyang art style, which was one of the prevalent styles practised by numerous artists in the 1950s. Observe the utilisation of bold black outlines combined with a cubist treatment, giving round shapes a geometric appearance. The Nanyang style is also characterised by its use of vibrant and lively colours. The recurring theme of a mother and child is a prominent motif in his works, and he dedicated himself to perfecting this style from 1952 to 1959.
'Satisfaction' by Cheong Soo Pieng (1968)
Oil on paper, 96 x 79 cm
'Untitled (my three children)' by Cheong Soo Pieng (1974)
Mixed media on board, 165 x 81cm (size of each panel)
