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.Wherever Liu travelled, he would sketch to record a detail or scene which could be used in future works. This 1974 sketch is the study for the oil painting ‘Chinese Bridge over River’, completed circa 1990s which is also in the SAM collection.
