Choo Keng Kwang (Singaporean, 1931–2019) was a prominent artist renowned for his oil paintings depicting landscapes, animals, and nature. A graduate of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) in 1953, he balanced his artistic pursuits with a distinguished career in education, serving as the principal of Sin Hua School and later as the head of the Art Education Department at NAFA. Choo's artistic style harmoniously blended Eastern and Western techniques, notably merging traditional Chinese brushwork with Western impressionism. His paintings of doves, a recurring motif, are particularly celebrated for their elegance and symbolic resonance.
Throughout his career, Choo received numerous accolades, including the Public Service Medal in 1976 for his contributions to art and education. His works were commissioned by royalty and governments, with his work gracing postage stamps, and the Singapore government presenting his paintings as state gifts to foreign dignitaries.
Choo Keng Kwang's legacy endures through his significant contributions to Singapore's art scene, his influence as an educator, and his philanthropic endeavours, all of which have left an indelible mark on the nation's cultural heritage.
Oyster Stall is a woodcut print portraying a scene of a street vendor selling oysters in Singapore. The piece can be likened to his other works, drawing strong parallels both visually and thematically in their realistic rendition of the humble everyday life of street hawkers, serving as a visual testament to the resilience and dignity of the working class.
(Photographed in April 2025)