ARTS
·
SUBSCRIBERS

Shedding light on underappreciated artists

A new exhibition space in National Gallery Singapore trains its focus on lesser-known virtuosos.

 Helmi Yusof
Published Thu, Oct 28, 2021 · 09:50 PM

    TWO late Modern artists, You Khin (1947-2009) of Cambodia and Chen Cheng Mei (1927-2020) of Singapore, are often neglected in the historical accounts of Singapore, Cambodia and South-east Asian art. But it's not for their lack of talent, discipline and ambition.

    Both were technically virtuosic and often ventured out of their countries to paint the people and places of South Asia, Africa and other regions.

    Yet art history has been unkind to them, letting their legacy and contributions be eclipsed by flashier, edgier artists.

    Copyright SPH Media. All rights reserved.