Chen Wen Hsi, Gibbons, Undated

Ink and colour on paper 
34 x 45 cm 
Condition: Very good

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Chen Wen Hsi 陈文希 (1906-1991) was a prominent Singaporean artist known for his innovative blend of traditional Chinese and modern Western painting styles. Born in Guangdong, China, he studied at the Shanghai College of Fine Arts and moved to Singapore in 1949. A key figure in the Nanyang art movement, Chen's work is celebrated for its dynamic brushwork and diverse subjects. He also taught at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, leaving a lasting impact on Singapore’s art scene. His legacy lives on through his celebrated works and contributions to art education.

This work is rendered in the traditional “写意” (xieyi) style, where Chen Wen Hsi uses fluid, expressive brushwork to capture the movement and spirit of the gibbons rather than fine detail. This approach is reminscent of the gibbon imagery reproduced on the Singapore's $50 note, where simplified, confident strokes define the forms. For a closer look at this connection, read more here.


Front and back of the Singapore $50 note.


Two Gibbons Amidst Vines by Chen Wen Hsi.

Acquired directly from the artist.

(Photographed in April 2026)