Born in 1931, Choo Keng Kwang is widely recognized for realistic renditions of landscape, animals and nature in the oil medium. Sympathetic to local working classes, Choo features them in many of his works. Graduating in 1953 from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), he worked as a teacher, eventually returning to NAFA to helm the Art Education Department in 1984. Choo has since held many solo exhibitions and has participated in group art exhibitions in Southeast Asia, Japan, Europe and USA. Since the 1950s, Choo has received many awards for his many contributions to art and education, among which is the Public Service Medal (PBM) in 1976.In the 1970s Choo saw the urgent need to record the trades of early Singapore before they disappeared forever. The opera mask vendor was a common sight from the early to mid 20th century when Chinese opera was enjoyed by the large Chinese immigrant population. Against a row of dilapidated houses, the colourful balloons and opera masks give an air of carnival gaiety. Choo adopts his familiar central placement of the subject matter in this work.
