Born in 1942 in Singapore, New York/Singapore-based artist Wong Keen’s art training began under Liu Kang and advanced under Chen Wen Hsi’s mentoring. In 1961 Wong left to study at The Art Students League, New York, and in 1963 received the League’s prestigious Edward G. McDowell Travelling Scholarship to travel and study in Europe. The cheerful scene in this painting will be familiar to many Singaporeans – a group of people seated around a table for a meal and a chat at a neighbourhood food centre. Specifically, Wong chose as his informal setting a food centre situated along Clementi Avenue 2 in the West of Singapore that is commonly frequented by Singapore artists during the weekends. The nine artists gathered together are: Goh Beng Kwan, Lee See Sin, Low Puay Hua, Simon Wee, Poh Siew Wan, Ng Peng Shen, Koeh Sia Yong, Tan Sia Young and Tan Choh Tee.
