Lot 030
TEW NAI TONG
b. Selangor, 1936 - d. Kuala Lumpur, 2013
IN THE MORNING, Undated
Signed 'NAITONG' (lower left)
Watercolour on canvas
70cm x 80cm
PROVENANCE
Private collection, Kuala Lumpur.
ESTIMATE RM 9,000 - 12,000
PRICE REALISED RM 13,526.40
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This view presents a sublime landscape vista, the surface treatment is a perfect synthesis of traditional Chinese ink painting aesthetics combined with western perspective representational devices. The scene is composed of a tranquil lake, with subtle effects of light shimmering across the distant mountains, infused with delicate hues of violet of the water and coast. The lyrical rendition of nature reflects the artist’s technical mastery and innovative composition with sophistication.
Tew Nai Tong received his early art education at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore (NAFA), graduating in 1958. He worked for a while to raise funds for his studies at the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux Arts, Paris (1967 - 1968). In the early years, he signed his work as ‘Chang Nai Tong.’ His first solo was at the British Council, Kuala Lumpur in 1964 and he had his Retrospective at the National Art Gallery in 2007. He taught at the Malaysian Institute of Art from 1969 to 1980, the Central Academy of Art from 1982 to 1985, and the Saito Academy of Art (head of department, 1986 - 1988). He concentrated fulltime in art in 1992. His awards included Second Prize, Chartered Bank Mural Design Competition (1964); Shell Watercolour Award (1981); Best Award, Esso (1982); Dunlop Watercolour Award (1983); and Grand Prize Asia Art Award (Malaysia) in Seoul in 2009. He was the co-founder of the Malaysian Watercolour Society (1982 - 1983) and the Contemporary Malaysian Watercolourist Association (1994) and the now defunct Le Beaux Art Gallery.
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