Choo Keng Kwang | |
| (1931-2019, Singaporean) | |
Choo Keng Kwang (b. 3 June 1931, Singapore–d. 14 December 2019, Singapore), a first-generation Singaporean artist, was well-known for his oil paintings of landscape, animals and nature. A former school principal of Sin Hua School, Choo later headed the Art Education Department of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) until his retirement. Born in Singapore on 3 June 1931, Choo was the only son of a Teochew diamond trader, Choo Kim Kye. As a young child, Choo's interest in fine arts was sparked by comics and print-cartoons that he enjoyed reading. He attended Catholic High School and braved criticism and disapproval from his school teachers for enrolling in art courses at NAFA. His hard work and determination paid off when he graduated in 1953 with two certificates, one from Catholic High School and the other from NAFA. Choo did not become a full-time artist upon graduation. Instead, he began his career as a teacher and subsequently became the school principal of Sin Hua School at Upper Changi Road. He had married by this time and had to support a family of nine, including his elderly parents, his wife – Nah Chong Ngian, as well as her six brothers. Although Choo is primarily known as an artist, he had spent more than 30 years in public education. Even in his professional career, Choo sought to improve the teaching of the arts. In 1984, he was seconded to NAFA where he was appointed a senior lecturer, before becoming head of the Art Education Department. Choo held and participated in numerous solo and group art exhibitions in Singapore and abroad. His works toured Southeast Asia, Japan, Europe and the United States. In November 1990, he became the first Singaporean artist to participate in a cultural exchange exhibition in Jakarta, Indonesia. In July 1993, he was invited to exhibit his paintings in Brunei to commemorate the Sultan of Brunei's 47th birthday. His artworks are sought-after by art collectors, national leaders,23 museums, as well as public and private corporations. For his contributions to art and education, Choo was conferred the Public Service Medal (PBM) in 1976 and the Long Service Award (PBS) in 1986. | |
Choo Keng Kwang in current auction: | |
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