Chua Mia Tee
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Chua Mia Tee, (b. 25 November 1931, Shantou, Guangdong Province, China - ), is one of Singapore's foremost realist painter. He is best known for his oil paintings which depict Singapore's vanishing traditional urban landscape. He is also a much sought-after portrait artist who has painted several prominent businessmen and politicians in Singapore, including Singapore's past and present presidents. National Language Class (1959) and Workers in the Canteen (1974) are two of his oft-discussed works.
Early Life
Born in Shantou, Guangdong Province, China in 1931, Chua was only six when he and his family fled from the Sino-Japanese war in China to Singapore in 1937. He first attended school at the Shuqun School and then at Tuan Mong School. In 1947, he enrolled in Chung Cheng High School but left school mid-way to pursue a formal arts education at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA).
Arts Education
Even at a young age, Chua had displayed a keen interest in art, painting and sketching. His father, who was also an artist, supported his interest. At NAFA, Chua's artistic talent was nurtured and developed. He received training in drawing, sketching with watercolour and painting, both with oils on canvas and with Chinese ink and colours on paper from NAFA director Lim Hak Tai and artists Cheong Soo Pieng, Koh Tong Leong and See Hiang To. Chua also experimented with modeling using plasticine and plaster of Paris in his own time. He graduated from NAFA in 1952.
Career
Chua's artistic gift was recognised early on. While studying in NAFA, he was asked to teach part-time at the school. He continued to teach at NAFA as a full-time staff after graduation. In 1954, Chua went back to Chung Cheng High to complete his secondary education. Thereafter, he returned to NAFA to teach from 1956-1957.
From the years 1957-1974, Chua used his skills in the field of commercial art. His first job was with the Shanghai Book Company where he worked as a book illustrator from 1957-1960. From 1960-1965, he worked with Grant Advertising International as a designer and illustrator, creating figure drawings for advertisements and comic strips. He returned to book illustration in 1965 when the Times Organisation's Federal Publication hired him as an illustrator and designer of books. He stayed with Times until 1974.
1974 was a watershed year for Chua. At the age of 43, he staged his first solo exhibition at the Rising Art Gallery. The exhibition was a success and this gave him the confidence to become a full-time artist.
His Works and Contributions
Chua draws his inspiration and subjects from the world around him. Having spent his boyhood in Chinatown and the Singapore River, many of Chua's early works depict the traditional landscapes and life in Singapore that are disappearing under urban redevelopment. His paintings captured not only the heart of these places, but also the indomitable spirit of the people living and working there. Chua once said that as an artist, he saw the urgency to document these scenes before they vanished from Singapores cityscape. "Road Construction Worker" (1955) and "Singapore River" (1983) are examples of two of such works.
Several of Chua's early paintings also reflect the nationalistic concerns that occupied Singapore during the 1950s-1960s. Paintings like "Epic of Life in Malaya" (1955) and "National Language Class" (1959) conveyed the heightened sense of political and social awareness prevalent in those times. Chua continues to be a chronicler of Singapore's significant and historic moments. He has painted former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's return from London after the Merdeka Talk; the swearing-in ceremony of then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong; and Singapore's Ministers and Members of Parliament in parliamentary sessions. His portrait of the late President Yusof bin Ishak also appears on Singapore currency notes. Besides creating paintings of national importance, Chua has been called upon to paint the annual recipients of the Businessman of the Year award.
Chua paints in a realistic style. His works display his keen eye for details and an understanding of light. He believes that art should be realistic because art reflects life. Realistic art also helps audiences to understand and identify with the work, hence allowing art to fulfill its purpose of instruction. To Chua, realistic art is not merely about recording what an artist sees but it is the artist's ability to distill the essence of a subject and to present its beauty, in a new composition, for others to enjoy. Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Velazquez, Goya and Yefimovich Repin are some of the artists whom he admires.
Chua works predominantly with oil which he describes as the most competent and perfect medium for capturing details on canvas. Though he paints on location, most of his pieces are actually refined and completed in the studio. He also paints from his memories of Singaporean places and people. Occasionally, Chua also uses photographic aids to recall details or as substitutes for clients who are unable to turn up for portrait sittings.
Early Life
Born in Shantou, Guangdong Province, China in 1931, Chua was only six when he and his family fled from the Sino-Japanese war in China to Singapore in 1937. He first attended school at the Shuqun School and then at Tuan Mong School. In 1947, he enrolled in Chung Cheng High School but left school mid-way to pursue a formal arts education at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA).
Arts Education
Even at a young age, Chua had displayed a keen interest in art, painting and sketching. His father, who was also an artist, supported his interest. At NAFA, Chua's artistic talent was nurtured and developed. He received training in drawing, sketching with watercolour and painting, both with oils on canvas and with Chinese ink and colours on paper from NAFA director Lim Hak Tai and artists Cheong Soo Pieng, Koh Tong Leong and See Hiang To. Chua also experimented with modeling using plasticine and plaster of Paris in his own time. He graduated from NAFA in 1952.
Career
Chua's artistic gift was recognised early on. While studying in NAFA, he was asked to teach part-time at the school. He continued to teach at NAFA as a full-time staff after graduation. In 1954, Chua went back to Chung Cheng High to complete his secondary education. Thereafter, he returned to NAFA to teach from 1956-1957.
From the years 1957-1974, Chua used his skills in the field of commercial art. His first job was with the Shanghai Book Company where he worked as a book illustrator from 1957-1960. From 1960-1965, he worked with Grant Advertising International as a designer and illustrator, creating figure drawings for advertisements and comic strips. He returned to book illustration in 1965 when the Times Organisation's Federal Publication hired him as an illustrator and designer of books. He stayed with Times until 1974.
1974 was a watershed year for Chua. At the age of 43, he staged his first solo exhibition at the Rising Art Gallery. The exhibition was a success and this gave him the confidence to become a full-time artist.
His Works and Contributions
Chua draws his inspiration and subjects from the world around him. Having spent his boyhood in Chinatown and the Singapore River, many of Chua's early works depict the traditional landscapes and life in Singapore that are disappearing under urban redevelopment. His paintings captured not only the heart of these places, but also the indomitable spirit of the people living and working there. Chua once said that as an artist, he saw the urgency to document these scenes before they vanished from Singapores cityscape. "Road Construction Worker" (1955) and "Singapore River" (1983) are examples of two of such works.
Several of Chua's early paintings also reflect the nationalistic concerns that occupied Singapore during the 1950s-1960s. Paintings like "Epic of Life in Malaya" (1955) and "National Language Class" (1959) conveyed the heightened sense of political and social awareness prevalent in those times. Chua continues to be a chronicler of Singapore's significant and historic moments. He has painted former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's return from London after the Merdeka Talk; the swearing-in ceremony of then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong; and Singapore's Ministers and Members of Parliament in parliamentary sessions. His portrait of the late President Yusof bin Ishak also appears on Singapore currency notes. Besides creating paintings of national importance, Chua has been called upon to paint the annual recipients of the Businessman of the Year award.
Chua paints in a realistic style. His works display his keen eye for details and an understanding of light. He believes that art should be realistic because art reflects life. Realistic art also helps audiences to understand and identify with the work, hence allowing art to fulfill its purpose of instruction. To Chua, realistic art is not merely about recording what an artist sees but it is the artist's ability to distill the essence of a subject and to present its beauty, in a new composition, for others to enjoy. Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Velazquez, Goya and Yefimovich Repin are some of the artists whom he admires.
Chua works predominantly with oil which he describes as the most competent and perfect medium for capturing details on canvas. Though he paints on location, most of his pieces are actually refined and completed in the studio. He also paints from his memories of Singaporean places and people. Occasionally, Chua also uses photographic aids to recall details or as substitutes for clients who are unable to turn up for portrait sittings.
Besides oil, Chua also works with other mediums such as acrylic, mixed media, watercolour, bronze and relief. One of his best-known sculptures is a portrait bust of Zubir Said, the composer of the Singapore national anthem.
Since the late 1970s, Chua has traveled to Hong Kong, Bali, Java, Spain and Italy to paint and draw. These trips have helped him to gain fresh insights for improving his art. Chua has exhibited his works at home and abroad in places such as Belgium, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and Thailand.
He has also made contributions to the arts community in Singapore in his capacity as a professional consultant to the NAFA Alumni Association, Chairman of the Editorial Board of Nanyang Arts, Chairman of the Selectional Board for Creative Artist contributed by the Association, and Life Member of the Singapore Arts Society and the NAFA Alumni Association.
Timeline
1931 : Born in Shantou, Guangdong Province, China.
Since the late 1970s, Chua has traveled to Hong Kong, Bali, Java, Spain and Italy to paint and draw. These trips have helped him to gain fresh insights for improving his art. Chua has exhibited his works at home and abroad in places such as Belgium, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and Thailand.
He has also made contributions to the arts community in Singapore in his capacity as a professional consultant to the NAFA Alumni Association, Chairman of the Editorial Board of Nanyang Arts, Chairman of the Selectional Board for Creative Artist contributed by the Association, and Life Member of the Singapore Arts Society and the NAFA Alumni Association.
Timeline
1931 : Born in Shantou, Guangdong Province, China.
1937 : Came to Singapore at the age of six.
1938 - 42 : Studied at Shuqun School, followed by Tuan Mong School.
1942 - 1945 : School interrupted by the Japanese Occupation. Became interested in art and began sketching and painting.
1945 - 1946 : Resumed studies at Tuan Mong School.
1947 - 1950 : Began secondary school education in Chung Cheng High School but left mid-way to study art at NAFA.
1952 : Graduated from NAFA.
1952 - 1954 : Taught at NAFA.
1954 - 1956 : Returned to Chung Cheng High School to complete secondary education.
1956 - 1957 : Returned to NAFA to teach.
1957 - 1960 : Worked as book illustrator with Shanghai Book Company.
1960 : Created a portrait bust of the late Mr Zubir Said, the composer of the National Anthem.
1960 - 1965 : Worked as designer and illustrator with Grant Advertising International Incorporated.
1965 - 1974 : Worked as illustrator and designer of books with Times Organisation's Federal Publication
1974 : Became a full-time artist after success of first solo exhibition at the Rising Art Gallery.
1979 : Commissioned to make 36 sketches of Ministers and Members of Parliament during meetings. Also painted the former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew on his return from London after the "Merdeka Talks".
1980 : Art Exhibition of Mr and Mrs Chua Mia Tee at the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
1982 : Solo exhibition at the British Council.
1984 : National Day painting on "The 25th Year of Nation Building" appeared on the front page of The Straits Times.
1985 : Solo exhibition at the Long Pine Gallery, Ming Court Hotel.
1986 : Created relief mural "Towards High Technology" for Ngee Ann Polytechnic.
1986 - : Painted annual winners of the Businessman of the Year Award.
1987 : Conducted masterclasses during The Fifth ASEAN Youth Workshop for young artists from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Singapore.
1988 : Solo exhibition on the Art of Chua Mia Tee organised by the Ministry of Community Development and the National Museum.
1988 : Participated in the 50th Painting Exhibition of R. Basoeki Abdullah R.A.N. in Jakarta, Indonesia.
1989 : Participated in the 1st Bru-Sin Art Exhibition in Brunei.
1990 : Joint exhibition by Chua Mia Tee and his wife, Lee Boon Ngan, at Hilton International, Singapore.
1990 : Designed Singapore's new $50 to commemorate Singapores 25th anniversary.
1990 : Designed Singapore's two dollar currency note.
1992 : Solo exhibition on the Chua Mia Tee - The Best of Four Decades at the Empress Place.
1992 : Painted the opening of the 8th Parliament.
1994 : Painted a portrait of the late President Ong Teng Cheong when he was conferred with the NTUC's highest award.
1996 - 1997 : Painted a series of paintings of Singapore's five presidents with their ten important ministers for the Istana.
1997 : Designed the One Million Dollars Commemorative Note, a souvenir note to mark the handover of Hong Kong to China.
1998 : Painted the portrait of The First President of Singapore for the new series of Presidential Currency Notes.
1999 : Painted a portrait of the late Presidents Yusof Bin Ishak and Benjamin Sheares for the new Parliament House.
1999 : Painted the opening of the 9th Parliament.
2004 : Painted the portrait of President S. R. Nathan for his 80th birthday.
Family
Wife : Lee Boon Ngan
Family
Wife : Lee Boon Ngan
Children : One son and one daughter
Author
Author
Marsita Omar
References
References
Cai, M. Z. (1988). Chua Mia Tee, 1988. Singapore: National Museum.
(Call no.: RSING 759.95957 CMT)
Cai, M. Z. (199-). Chua Mia Tee: A selection from the exhibition. Singapore: Empress Place Museum Art Gallery.
Cai, M. Z. (199-). Chua Mia Tee: A selection from the exhibition. Singapore: Empress Place Museum Art Gallery.
(Call no.: RSING 759.95957 CMT)
Chia, W. H. (1982). Singapore artists (p. 9). Singapore: Singapore Cultural foundation [and] Federal Publications.
Chia, W. H. (1982). Singapore artists (p. 9). Singapore: Singapore Cultural foundation [and] Federal Publications.
(Call no.: RSING 759.95957 SIN)
Lim, R. (Ed.). (1998). Singapore artists speak (p. 32-35). Singapore: Raffles Edition.
Lim, R. (Ed.). (1998). Singapore artists speak (p. 32-35). Singapore: Raffles Edition.
(Call no.: RSING 709.5957 SIN)
Autobiographies in art. (1991, 2nd quarter), Goodwood Journal, 14-15, 27-29.
(Call no.: RSING 052 GHCGJ)
Lee, P. (2005, March 31). Portraits of success. The Straits Times. Retrieved May 30, 2008, from Factiva database.
Lee. S. C. (1992, September 8). Chua: artist as recorder. The Straits Times. Retrieved on February 23, 2011, from NewspaperSG.
Linda Gallery. (2006). Chua Mia Tee. Retrieved May 30, 2008, from
Lee, P. (2005, March 31). Portraits of success. The Straits Times. Retrieved May 30, 2008, from Factiva database.
Lee. S. C. (1992, September 8). Chua: artist as recorder. The Straits Times. Retrieved on February 23, 2011, from NewspaperSG.
Linda Gallery. (2006). Chua Mia Tee. Retrieved May 30, 2008, from
http://www.lindagallery.com/ArtistDetail.php?ArtistID=7
Low, K.T. (Ed.). (2006). Who's who in Singapore 2006 (p. 117). Singapore: Who's who Pub.
Low, K.T. (Ed.). (2006). Who's who in Singapore 2006 (p. 117). Singapore: Who's who Pub.
(Call no.: RSING 920.05957 WHO)
Painting more than a portrait. (1994, May 2). The Straits Times. Retrieved on February 23, 2011, from NewspaperSG.
Tan, B. R. (1988, July). A brush with real life. Singapore Tatler, 6(70), 62-63.
Painting more than a portrait. (1994, May 2). The Straits Times. Retrieved on February 23, 2011, from NewspaperSG.
Tan, B. R. (1988, July). A brush with real life. Singapore Tatler, 6(70), 62-63.
(Call no.: RSING 959.57 ST -[HIS])
Toh, S. (2004, July 4). Happy 80th birthday, President Nathan. The New Paper. Retrieved May 30, 2008, from Factiva database.
Singapore artist directory 1993 (p. 66). (1993). Empress Place Museum.
Toh, S. (2004, July 4). Happy 80th birthday, President Nathan. The New Paper. Retrieved May 30, 2008, from Factiva database.
Singapore artist directory 1993 (p. 66). (1993). Empress Place Museum.
(Call no.: RSING 709.59570922 SAD -[DIR])
Woon, M. (1991, August). In support of realistic art. Mirror, 27(15), 8-9.
Woon, M. (1991, August). In support of realistic art. Mirror, 27(15), 8-9.
(Call no.: RSING q320.9595 MM)
Yap, F. (2000, September 2). A definitive Spore artist. The Straits Times. Retrieved May 30, 2008, from Factiva database.
Yap, F. (2000, September 2). A definitive Spore artist. The Straits Times. Retrieved May 30, 2008, from Factiva database.
The information in this article is valid as at 2008 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.
Subject
Personalities>>Biographies>>Artists
Cai, Mingzhi, 1931- --Biography
Painters--Singapore--Biography
Arts>>Painting>>Oil painting