Born in Fujian Province, Liu Kang (1911-2004) received his formal training in Shanghai Academy of Fine Art, where he was exposed to Chinese paintings. In 1928, he went to Paris where he was influenced by art movements such as Fauvism and Post-Impressionism. Not only was he one of Singapore’s pioneer artists, he was also a leading figure in the Society of Chinese Artists and the Singapore Art Society. In 1970, he was awarded the Public Service Star for his contributions in the field of art.Just as the majesty of Huangshan had inspired countless Chinese artists and poets, Liu was likewise awed, returning to the mountains many times, sometimes with his teacher and friend Liu Haisu. The mountains are a recurring subject and in the SAM collection, there are a number of paintings which reflect the grandeur of the mountain range.
