Cheong Soo Pieng (Chinese-Singaporean, 1917-1983) Evening Scene

Cheong Soo Pieng (Chinese-Singaporean, 1917-1983)
Evening Scene
1971

signed in Chinese and dated
ink and colour on paper

68.5 x 46.5 cm (27 x 18 1/4 in)
Provenance
Norma Lu Gallery (label)
Leonard Joel auction, Australia, 29 November 2016, Lot 130
Acquired from the above by the present owner
Private collection, Europe

鐘泗賓
暮色
設色紙本
1971年作

簽名：亖賓 71

來源
Norma Lu畫廊（標籤）
Leonard Joel, 澳大利亞, 2016年11月29日, 編號130
現藏家得自上述來源
歐洲私人收藏

Cheong Soo Pieng was a Chinese-Singaporean artist celebrated for his diverse artistic practices that transcended the boundaries of tradition. Born in Xiamen, China, he discovered his creative home in Singapore — a place where cultures intersect and artistic innovation thrives.

Constantly exploring different mediums and techniques, Cheong's artistic journey was marked by a relentless quest for new forms of expression. His early works, steeped in the Nanyang Art style, captured the vibrancy of Southeast Asia. Yet it was his venture into abstraction that truly set him apart.

Inspired by his transformative trip to Bali in 1952, Cheong Soo Pieng created abstract masterpieces that seamlessly blended different techniques: his canvas became a convergence point for elements of Chinese ink painting, Western oil painting, and even Cubism. Characterised by elongated forms, rhythmic lines, and harmonious colour palettes, the resulting compositions defied easy categorisation.

Cheong Soo Pieng's abstract works stand as a testament to the artist's relentless innovation. By embodying cultural dialogue, experimentation, and enduring creativity, they transcend mere aesthetics. As we contemplate the rhythmic lines and harmonious colours, we catch a glimpse of an artist who refused to confine himself — thus becoming a bridge between tradition and modernity, and between East and West.