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 1952, Liu, together with fellow artists Chen Wen Hsi, Chen Chong Swee and Cheong Soo Pieng, made the historic painting trip to Bali, where they were inspired by the exotic culture and life of the islanders. Liu documented the new sights and experiences, many of which would eventually feature in his larger oil works. This pastel work could have been a preparatory study for one of the figures in ‘Offerings’, an oil painting completed in 1957, in the SAM collection.
