Cheong Soo Pieng is regarded as a pivotal figure in Singapore’s modern art development. Born in Xiamen (Amoy), China in 1914, he was part of a group of artists that attempted to articulate a style identifiable and pertinent to post-war Singapore, then known collectively with Malaysia, as Malaya. This style, later crystallized as the Nanyang Style, provided a foundation upon which future generations of artists learned and expanded on. Cheong’s art is also closely linked with his travels–the much-heralded Bali trip (1952), Sarawak (1959), London and Europe (1961-1963). These sojourns not only provided inspiration but also consolidated his worldview in art-making.Cheong’s visit to Bali in 1952 and his sojourn there brought him into close contact with the various indigenous communities. This drawing shows one of the many artefacts that he could have seen. Like many of the Western artists including Picasso, Matisse and Gauguin who were inspired by art from the African tribes, Cheong’s interaction with these communities provided new impetus for his future works.
