Lee Boon Wang, Peacock, 1986
Watercolour on paper
54 x 74 cm (visible), 71 x 92 x 2 cm (framed)
Condition: Very good
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Lee Boon Wang (Chinese, 1934–2016) emigrated to Singapore with his family as a child and graduated from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in 1953. His sister married the renowned painter Chua Mia Tee (Chinese, b. 1931), with whom he co-founded the esteemed Equator Art Society, a collective known for its socially conscious and realist art.
After graduating, Lee began teaching at his alma mater before transitioning to a career in advertising. After two decades in the field, he became a full-time artist, focusing primarily on landscape painting. He was particularly drawn to scenes of rivers and the sea, capturing Singapore’s evolving landscapes with a deep sense of nostalgia and atmosphere. His works have been acquired by the National Gallery Singapore and exhibited at the Ngee Ann Cultural Centre.
A master of Chinese ink painting, Lee was known for his refined brushwork and ability to balance precision with expressive fluidity. His landscapes, often rendered with a delicate interplay of light and shadow, reflect a mastery of tonal variation and composition. By blending traditional Chinese ink techniques with modern interpretations of Singapore’s scenery, he created works that resonate with both historical depth and contemporary sensibilities.
(Photographed in February 2025)