Choy Weng Yang
Encyclopedia
Choy Weng Yang is a Singapore
an artist, curator and arts writer and a proponent of the art fraternity in post-independent Singapore. His literary contributions on post-modern arts in Singapore, had helped shaped the contemporary art scene in Singapore.
Born 12 July 1930 in Singapore, Choy graduated with a National Diploma of Art UK from Hornsey College of Art
in 1962 and received the Art Teachers' Certificate (UK) from the University of London
Institute of Education
in 1963. In his years as a student in London, he had many opportunities to study the works of great modern artists like Picasso and Mondrian, through visits to other European cities. These opportunities to travel, shaped his knowledge of art and his aesthetic development for his art in the years to come.
Back in Singapore after graduating from the Institute Choy worked as assistant lecturer in the Arts & Crafts Department of the Teachers' Training College, and subsequently took office as a Curator of Art with the National Museum of Singapore
in 1978. In his professional capacity he has served actively for the arts circle, receiving acclamation for his art criticisms for artists and writings about local artistic movements. Choy's passion for painting never left him despite his heavy work commitments, and actively participated in group artshows in Australia and Paris. In 1982, Choy had contributed to an article on Singapore art, and published in the very first Singapore art directory, titled "Singaporean artists". This book was officially launched at the 1982 National Day Art Exhibition, by the then Minister of State for Culture, Major Fong Sip Chee, on 16 Aug 1982.
His exposures to the western art during his curatorship tenure, enabled him to develop his artistic side. In the early years he was particularly influenced by the works by Monet, for its light and colour in his paintings. Progressively he found that using light and colour alone on his canvas was not enough in his own compositions. Cezanne's use of structure in his composition, and Mondrian
's strength in order, clarity and strong composition design thus became an important elements in Choy's paintings from 1985 on. It is also in the same year that Choy decided to retire from his curatorial position to devote himself as a full-time painter. In the 1990s, Choy's works are increasingly influenced by Chinese ink and wash painting
s by the great Chinese masters of bygone dynasties.
ile:
In the years that followed after his retirement, Choy continued to be active in the arts scene. Choy's curatorial experience continued to be sought after by many art aficionados and artists alike, and frequently pens art criticisms and introductions of artists for their exhibitions and art publications.
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
an artist, curator and arts writer and a proponent of the art fraternity in post-independent Singapore. His literary contributions on post-modern arts in Singapore, had helped shaped the contemporary art scene in Singapore.
Born 12 July 1930 in Singapore, Choy graduated with a National Diploma of Art UK from Hornsey College of Art
Hornsey College of Art
Hornsey College of Art is a former college centred in Crouch End, London, England. Since 2008, the building has been a part of Coleridge Primary School, upon its expansion to four form entry...
in 1962 and received the Art Teachers' Certificate (UK) from the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
Institute of Education
Institute of Education
The Institute of Education is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom specialised in postgraduate study and research in the field of education and a constituent college of the federal University of London. It is the largest education research body in the United Kingdom, with...
in 1963. In his years as a student in London, he had many opportunities to study the works of great modern artists like Picasso and Mondrian, through visits to other European cities. These opportunities to travel, shaped his knowledge of art and his aesthetic development for his art in the years to come.
Back in Singapore after graduating from the Institute Choy worked as assistant lecturer in the Arts & Crafts Department of the Teachers' Training College, and subsequently took office as a Curator of Art with the National Museum of Singapore
National Museum of Singapore
The National Museum of Singapore is a national museum in Singapore and the oldest museum in Singapore. Its history dates back to 1849 when it was started as a section of a library at Singapore Institution...
in 1978. In his professional capacity he has served actively for the arts circle, receiving acclamation for his art criticisms for artists and writings about local artistic movements. Choy's passion for painting never left him despite his heavy work commitments, and actively participated in group artshows in Australia and Paris. In 1982, Choy had contributed to an article on Singapore art, and published in the very first Singapore art directory, titled "Singaporean artists". This book was officially launched at the 1982 National Day Art Exhibition, by the then Minister of State for Culture, Major Fong Sip Chee, on 16 Aug 1982.
His exposures to the western art during his curatorship tenure, enabled him to develop his artistic side. In the early years he was particularly influenced by the works by Monet, for its light and colour in his paintings. Progressively he found that using light and colour alone on his canvas was not enough in his own compositions. Cezanne's use of structure in his composition, and Mondrian
Piet Mondrian
Pieter Cornelis "Piet" Mondriaan, after 1906 Mondrian , was a Dutch painter.He was an important contributor to the De Stijl art movement and group, which was founded by Theo van Doesburg. He evolved a non-representational form which he termed Neo-Plasticism...
's strength in order, clarity and strong composition design thus became an important elements in Choy's paintings from 1985 on. It is also in the same year that Choy decided to retire from his curatorial position to devote himself as a full-time painter. In the 1990s, Choy's works are increasingly influenced by Chinese ink and wash painting
Ink and wash painting
Ink and wash painting is an East Asian type of brush painting also known as ink wash painting. Only black ink — the same as used in East Asian calligraphy — is used, in various concentrations....
s by the great Chinese masters of bygone dynasties.
ile:
In the years that followed after his retirement, Choy continued to be active in the arts scene. Choy's curatorial experience continued to be sought after by many art aficionados and artists alike, and frequently pens art criticisms and introductions of artists for their exhibitions and art publications.
Major Exhibitions
| Dates | Title | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Singapore Art - Adelaide Festival of Arts | Adelaide Adelaide Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million... , Australia Australia Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... |
| 1976 | National Museum National Museum of Singapore The National Museum of Singapore is a national museum in Singapore and the oldest museum in Singapore. Its history dates back to 1849 when it was started as a section of a library at Singapore Institution... Art Gallery Inaugural Exhibition (group exhibition) |
National Museum of Singapore National Museum of Singapore The National Museum of Singapore is a national museum in Singapore and the oldest museum in Singapore. Its history dates back to 1849 when it was started as a section of a library at Singapore Institution... Singapore Singapore Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the... |
| 12 September - 15 September 1979 |
Contemporaries '79 (group exhibition) | Alpha Gallery Singapore Singapore Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the... |
| 1981 | ASEAN Traveling Exhibition of Painting and Photography (group exhibition) | |
| 1985 | Singaporean Artist - Salon des Artistes Francais | Grand Palais Grand Palais This article contains material abridged and translated from the French and Spanish Wikipedia.The Grand Palais des Champs-Elysées, commonly known as the Grand Palais , is a large historic site, exhibition hall and museum complex located at the Champs-Élysées in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, France... Paris Paris Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region... , France France The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France... |
| ASEAN Traveling Exhibition of Painting and Photography (group exhibition) | ||
| 1987 | New Directions (group exhibition) | National Museum National Museum of Singapore The National Museum of Singapore is a national museum in Singapore and the oldest museum in Singapore. Its history dates back to 1849 when it was started as a section of a library at Singapore Institution... Art Gallery Singapore Singapore Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the... |
| 1988 | Singapore Contemporary Artists | Hong Kong Art Centre Hong Kong Hong Kong Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour... |
| 1990 | Brun-Sin Singapore (group exhibition) | Takashimaya Takashimaya is a large Japanese department store chain.Founded in 1829 in Kyoto by Iida Shinkichi as a retailer of used clothing and cotton cloth, the store now has outlets throughout Japan and also in Taipei, Paris and Singapore.... Gallery Singapore Singapore Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the... |
| 1991 | ||
| 1992 | The Figure In Art In the Singapore Context (2nd group exhibition by Group 90 Group 90 Group 90 is an informal arts group in Singapore, committed to the study and interpretation, and promotion of the human nudity as an art form. It was founded the late Brother Joseph McNally, along with founding members S... ) |
Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts is one of the oldest and most established tertiary arts institution in Singapore.... (NAFA) Gallery Singapore Singapore Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the... |
| 17 March - 19 March 1994 |
ART of the Nude (3rd group exhibition by Group 90 Group 90 Group 90 is an informal arts group in Singapore, committed to the study and interpretation, and promotion of the human nudity as an art form. It was founded the late Brother Joseph McNally, along with founding members S... ) |
Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts is one of the oldest and most established tertiary arts institution in Singapore.... (NAFA) Gallery Singapore Singapore Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the... |
| 1995 | Art That Blinds | Edmund Tie & Company Singapore Singapore Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the... |
| Art and Business, presented by Shenn's Art Gallery | Takashimaya Takashimaya is a large Japanese department store chain.Founded in 1829 in Kyoto by Iida Shinkichi as a retailer of used clothing and cotton cloth, the store now has outlets throughout Japan and also in Taipei, Paris and Singapore.... Gallery Singapore Singapore Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the... |
|
| 1996 | Line Perceptions - recent drawings by 6 artists (group exhibition) | Cicada Gallery Singapore Singapore Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the... |
| 1998 | Windows - paintings by 3 Singaporean artists (group exhibition) | Art Forum Singapore Singapore Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the... |
| 2000 | Ambience - theme and variations (solo) | DP. Space Singapore Singapore Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the... |
| 2002 | The Contemporary Asian Art Fair (group exhibition) organized by the Art Association |
Suntec City Suntec City Suntec City is a major multi-use development located in Marina Centre, a subzone of the Downtown Core Planning Area in Singapore.- Design :Suntec City was designed by Tsao & McKown Architects with emphasis on Chinese geomancy . The five buildings and the convention center are arranged so that they... Singapore Singapore Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the... |
| 2004 | City Inspirations | Cape of Good Hope Art Gallery Singapore Singapore Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the... |
| 2005 | ARTSingapore | Suntec City Suntec City Suntec City is a major multi-use development located in Marina Centre, a subzone of the Downtown Core Planning Area in Singapore.- Design :Suntec City was designed by Tsao & McKown Architects with emphasis on Chinese geomancy . The five buildings and the convention center are arranged so that they... Singapore Singapore Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the... |
| 2006 | ||
| 2007 | ARTSingapore | Suntec City Suntec City Suntec City is a major multi-use development located in Marina Centre, a subzone of the Downtown Core Planning Area in Singapore.- Design :Suntec City was designed by Tsao & McKown Architects with emphasis on Chinese geomancy . The five buildings and the convention center are arranged so that they... Singapore Singapore Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the... |
| Unique 9 Exhibition (group exhibition) | Cape of Good Hope Art Gallery Singapore Singapore Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the... |