Liu Kang (artist)

Liu Kang (Chinese: 刘抗; pinyin: Liú Kàng) was a Singaporean artist known for his Balinese-themed figurative paintings. He was a founding member of the Singapore Art Society, and was credited with developing the Nanyang Style, an art style associated with the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts.[1] He is also the father of the architect Liu Thai Ker.

In this Chinese name, the family name is Liu.
Liu Kang
Born(1911-01-04)4 January 1911
Fujian, China
Died1 June 2004(2004-06-01) (aged 93)
 Singapore
NationalitySingaporean
Known forOil painting
Notable work
Autumn Colours (1930)
Breakfast (1932)
Artist and Model (1954)
Durian Vendors (1957)
Life by the River (1975)
Awards1970: Bintang Bakti Masyarakat (Public Service Star)

Liu was born in Fujian Province and he spent his early years in Malaysia, studied art in Shanghai and Paris, and taught art in Shanghai during the 1930s. Under the influence of Chinese artist and art teacher Liu Haisu (1896–1994), Liu admired, and often appropriated the styles of French-based modernist painters such as Cézanne, van Gogh and Matisse. Liu moved to Singapore in 1942 and had been credited with numerous contributions to the local arts scene. In 1952, Liu, Chen Chong Swee, Chen Wen Hsi and Cheong Soo Pieng went on a field trip to Bali in search of a visual expression that was Southeast Asian. In 1970, Liu was awarded the Public Service Star by the Singapore Government. He was honoured by the same agency in 1996 with the Meritorious Service Medal.

In May 2003, the 92-year-old artist gave the majority of his paintings and sketches, amounting to over 1,000 pieces, to the Singapore Art Museum. He also unveiled a painting of three Balinese women, each carrying a basket, titled Offerings.

To commemorate the 100th year of Liu's birth, the National Art Gallery, Singapore, together with the Global Chinese Arts & Culture Society and Lianhe Zaobao, held a forum titled "Liu Kang: Tropical Vanguard" on 2 April 2011. The forum brought together a panel of established artists and scholars to discuss Liu's significant influence and contributions to Singapore's art history.

Bibliography

W.W. Yeo, et.al. (2011), Liu Kang: Colourful Modernist, National Gallery Singapore, ISBN 9789810886745

References
  1. https://www.rem.routledge.com/articles/nanyang-style


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