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.In the post-war years, Liu travelled extensively throughout the Malayan peninsula to paint the local scenery and life of the people. A compositionally interesting work, Liu has placed the banana leaves in the foreground to serve as a framing device for the main subject—women washing in the river.
