Chia Hoy Sai, Untitled (Still Life of Mangosteens), 1993
Oil on canvas
46 x 35 cm, 59 x 50 x 4 cm (framed)
Condition: Very good, with surface accretion throughout the work. The adhesive tape around the edges of the canvas has loosened over time.
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Chia Hoy Sai (Malaysian, b. 1948) is a painter known for his realistic depictions of people, culture, and everyday life in Southeast Asia. Born in Selangor, he studied at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore from 1968 to 1969. His work often focuses on portraits, traditional attire, and still lifes of tropical fruits, drawing inspiration from his travels across Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar. Combining careful attention to detail with a warmth for his subjects, Chia’s paintings capture both the textures of daily life and the cultural richness of the region.
About thirty years ago, I bought some unripe mangosteens from the wet market. I waited weeks for them to ripen, but instead of becoming edible, they did the opposite. They hardened completely, which bewildered me. They have since transformed into permanent fixtures on my fruit stand. Years later, while browsing artworks in Malaysia, I came across a still life of mangosteen that immediately reminded me of my dear, seemingly immortal mangosteens sitting at home. The painting has become an extension to the inside joke!
(Photographed in September 2025)