Tan Choon Ghee, Untitled (Penang scene), 1998

Ink and colour on paper
46 x 68 cm (visible), 61.5 x 84 x 3.5 cm (framed)
Condition: Fair, foxing throughout

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Tan Choon Ghee (Malaysian, 1930–2010) was a distinguished watercolourist celebrated for his evocative depictions of Malaysian street life. Born in Penang, he graduated from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in 1951 before furthering his studies at the prestigious Slade School of Fine Art in London (1957–1959). His travels across Europe allowed him to engage in artistic exchange programs, deepening his understanding of both Eastern and Western artistic traditions.

Upon returning to Penang, Tan became a full-time artist, dedicating his career to capturing the essence of everyday life in Malaysia. While he was proficient in oil and Chinese ink painting, it was his mastery of watercolour that cemented his legacy. His works frequently depict bustling street scenes—hawkers, rickshaws, colonial-era buildings, and traditional shophouses—imbued with a delicate balance of spontaneity and precision.

Tan’s style is distinguished by a fusion of Chinese calligraphic brushwork and Western techniques of perspective and composition. His swift, fluid strokes suggest movement and energy, while his keen eye for architectural details lends a sense of place and history. The human figures in his works are often rendered with minimal detail, yet they remain expressive, capturing fleeting moments of daily life.

Frame by Merlin Frame Maker, 2014

(Photographed in February 2025)