Tracing the evolution of Chinese ink art

THREE exhibitions at the National Gallery Singapore celebrate the delicate and wondrous practice of Chinese ink art. Altogether, there are more than 200 works of prominent 20th century artists on display.

The first exhibition, Rediscovering Treasures: Ink Art from the Xiu Hai Lou Collection, showcases rare masterpieces from one of the finest collections of Chinese ink in Singapore. The breathtaking pieces by major artists such as Chen Hongshou, Ren Yi, Qi Baishi, Xu Beihong and Zhang Daqian allow the viewer to trace the evolution of Chinese ink over several decades. The works were collected by art patron and Teochew businessman Yeo Khee Lim who died in 1998.

The second exhibition centres on Singapore pioneer artist Chen Chong Swee who famously travelled to Bali in 1952 with Liu Kang, Chen Wen Hsi and Cheong Soo Pieng and helped develop the Nanyang Style of painting by combining Chinese and Western styles to depict local images.