Teng Jee Hum (b. 1953) is a Singaporean artist, collector, and author. He began his career as a fund manager trading Asian equities and later commodities before turning to art collecting and making. A self-taught artist, Teng often starts with unplanned brushstrokes and washes of paint, observing the marks until figures and forms emerge. This approach draws on pareidolia and pattern recognition.
Working across painting, sculpture, and works on paper, Teng explores Singapore’s identity, history, and social development. His use of figurative imagery, symbolism, and text connects personal memory with national narratives, including the country’s transformation and the legacy of its founding years. He founded The Teng Collection, which focuses on modern and contemporary Asian art, and has written publications including Beyond ISMS (1999) and Godsmacked (2016). His work as both artist and collector reflects a sustained interest in how visual narratives shape understandings of Singapore’s history.
