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Famous Singapore Artists Shaping the Lion City’s Art Scene
Singapore is known for its world-class food, stunning architecture, and vibrant nightlife. However, some may not know it’s also a hotbed of creativity and artistic expression.
From street art to fine art, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in the Lion City!
We’ll introduce you to Singapore artists who carry the torch of the city’s artistic legacy, forging a vibrant path into the future. Meet the masters weaving the threads of history, modernity, and personal expression into the very fabric of the Lion City’s art scene.
Tan Swie Hian
– By nationallibrarysg
Notable Awards and Recognition:
- Cultural Medallion (1987)
- The World Economic Forum Crystal Award (2006)
- Officer of the Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur (France)
- First Honorary Citizen of Huangling County, China (2010)
Art Style:
- Contemporary Chinese calligraphy
- Chinese poetry
- Contemporary art
Where to Find His Works:
- Tan Swie Hian Private Museum
Tan Swie Hian is a Singaporean artist who does everything: he writes poems, novels, paints, does calligraphy, and even sculpts.
He loves mixing things up and trying new styles. His modern Chinese calligraphy is bold and full of emotion, sometimes even abstract.
Tan Swie Hian’s paintings, like “When The Moon Is Orbed,” blend Eastern symbols with Western techniques in a beautiful, flowing way, almost like a dance.
Lim Tze Peng
Notable Awards and Recognition:
- Cultural Medallion (2003)
- Public Administration Medal (1963) and Public Service Medal (1981)
- Special Prize at the 1977 Commonwealth Art Exhibition
- Pingat Jasa Gemilang or the Meritorious Service Medal (2016)
Art Style:
- Nanyangism
- Ink painting
- Calligraphy
Where to Find His Works:
- National Gallery Singapore
- Singapore Art Museum
- Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts
Self-taught artist Lim Tze Peng is a key figure in Singapore’s art scene. He witnessed the city’s growth and captured its spirit in his ink paintings and calligraphy.
Lim belongs to the Nanyang art movement, known for blending Chinese ink techniques with Southeast Asian themes.
His paintings depict everyday scenes like bustling streets, serene rivers, and charming buildings. Many of his works carry a sense of nostalgia.
Lim also excels in calligraphy, adding vibrant colors and bold brushstrokes to his pieces.
Fan Shaohua
– By capeofgoodhopeartgallery
Notable Awards and Recognition:
- Painting of the Year Award (2000) at the UOB Painting of the Year Competition
- International Premium Oil Painting Artist Award (2008) in Hong Kong
- Member of the Singapore Art Society, the Society of Chinese Artists, and the Japan Modern Arts Association
Art Style:
- Fusionism
- Contemporary art
Where to Find His Works:
- Singtel Art Collection
- CapitaLand Art Program
Fan Shaohua is a prominent figure in Singapore’s art world. He combines realistic Western techniques with Eastern abstract elements to create captivating contemporary paintings.
Fan uses different materials, from soft watercolors to bold Chinese ink. His portraits capture emotions, his cityscapes show the bustling energy of modern life, and his lotus flowers blossom in bright colors.
In 2000, he won the UOB Painting of the Year award, solidifying his place as a leading artist. The piece’s deep symbolism and emotional resonance showcase Fan’s ability to evoke powerful emotions through his art.
P. Gnana
– By p.gnana.arts
Notable Awards and Recognition:
- Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) Signature Art Prize (2011)
- Ranaba Biennale Award (2012)
- The Sovereign Asian Art Prize (2017)
Art Style:
- Bold expressionism
Where to Find His Works:
- Gnani Arts Gallery
P. Gnana is a versatile artist who works in painting, sculpture, and installations. His art is known for its strong emotions and movement, created with bright colors and energetic brushstrokes.
Gnana mixes different materials to build up layers and textures in his work, telling captivating stories without words.
One common theme in his art is the cow, which represents unconditional love, family connections, and the beauty of rural life. This adds a quiet power to his creations.
Gnana’s abstract series for the International Tech Park in India shows his bold style and ability to create striking art for public spaces.
Lim Leong Seng
– By goshen_art_gallery
Notable Awards and Recognition:
- Grand Prize in the MCI Art Competition (1990)
- Jurors’ Choice in Philip Morris Group of Companies Singapore Art Awards (1997)
- Tan Tsze Chor Art Award – Gold (1997)
Art Style:
- Diverse and experimental sculpting
Where to Find His Works:
- National Gallery Singapore
- Singapore Art Museum
Lim Leong Seng carves stories from bronze, steel, and everyday objects. He loves trying new things and using unusual materials in his sculptures.
Many of his works celebrate Singapore’s diverse culture and history, showing famous figures from the nation’s past and present.
For example, his “Spirit of Kallang” uses recycled materials and clever techniques, while “Portrait of Samsui Woman” honors the courage of migrant workers.
Jose Martinez
– By jose_martinez_art
Notable Awards and Recognition:
- Featured in international art directories like Good Art Guide
- Regular participation in exhibitions, including Affordable Art Fair Singapore and Singapore Contemporary Art Show
Art Style:
- Impressionist realism
- Abstract deconstruction
Where to Find His Works:
- Instagram (@jose_martinez_art)
- Artique Galleries
- Cotswold Contemporary
Jose Martinez brings cityscapes to life with his eye-catching paintings. He mixes realistic details with abstract elements, turning buildings and streets into dazzling displays of light and shadow.
His recent oil painting, “My Awesome Cafe,” bursts with his signature bright colors and energetic brushwork. Collectors love his vibrant art; you can find it in private homes and public spaces.
His city scenes and insights into urban life offer a fresh way to see Singapore and other cities worldwide.
Ong Kim Seng
– By kimsengartist
Notable Awards and Recognition:
- Cultural Medallion (1990)
- President’s Award for the Arts (1998)
- Public Service Star (2004)
Art Style:
- Watercolor painting
- Realism
- Naturalist impressionistic
Where to Find His Works:
- National Gallery Singapore
- Singapore Art Museum
- Ode To Art Gallery
Ong Kim Seng is a renowned watercolorist who paints Singapore’s beauty on the world stage. He’s a star in the nation’s art scene, known for blending realistic details with dreamy, impressionistic touches.
One of his most beloved pieces is “Singapore River.” This painting takes you back to the bustling riverfront of the 1980s, capturing the city’s vibrant spirit in its prime.
Ong Kim Seng has brought Singaporean art worldwide by participating in international exhibitions, and inspiring artists and audiences.
Liu Kang
– By nhb_sg
Notable Awards and Recognition:
- Public Service Star (1970)
- Pingat Jasa Gemilang or the Meritorious Service Medal (1996)
- Title of Honorary Citizen of Singapore (1999)
Art Style:
- Nanyangism
- Oil painting
- Balinese-themed figurative paintings
Where to Find His Works:
- National Gallery Singapore
- Singapore Art Museum
Liu Kang brought Southeast Asia to life in his Nanyang-style paintings. He often painted people and landscapes in Bali, using bright colors and bold brushstrokes to capture their energy and beauty.
Two of his most famous works are “Autumn Colours,” a peaceful scene of changing leaves, and “Breakfast,” a warm picture of a family meal.
Liu Kang’s art was about bringing together Eastern and Western styles to show the true spirit of Southeast Asia. He loved painting, and his talent and dedication made him a leading artist in Singapore.
Georgette Chen
– By thegreatwomenartists
Notable Awards and Recognition:
- Cultural Medallion (1982)
Art Style:
- Nanyangism
- Oil painting
Where to Find His Works:
- National Gallery Singapore
- Singapore Art Museum
Georgette Chen’s life and art were like a global adventure. Born in China, she traveled to Paris, New York, and Shanghai before finding her home in Southeast Asia in the 1950s.
This rich, diverse background shines through in her art, where Western techniques meet the vibrant scenes of Southeast Asia. Her brushstrokes breathe life into landscapes, still lifes, and portraits, all infused with the region’s unique spirit.
Two of her most famous works, “Self Portrait” and “Cityscape of Beijing,” capture the essence of her personal journey and the changing faces of cities.
Through her art, Chen built bridges between cultures, inviting everyone to appreciate the beauty and richness of Southeast Asia.
Chua Mia Tee
– By chuamiatee
Notable Awards and Recognition:
- Cultural Medallion (2015)
Art Style:
- Social realism
- Oil painting
Where to Find His Works:
- National Gallery Singapore
- Singapore Art Museum
Chua Mia Tee painted pictures of Singapore in the 1950s and 60s. He used oil paints to show busy streets and everyday moments.
“National Language Class” and “Workers in the Canteen” are two of his famous paintings. They show what life was like for ordinary people back in the day.
Chua was also good at painting portraits. He painted important people like past and present presidents of Singapore.
Tang Da Wu
– By nationalgallerysingapore
Notable Awards and Recognition:
- Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize in Arts and Culture (1999)
Art Style:
- Experimental installations, performances, and video art
Where to Find His Works:
- National Gallery Singapore
- Singapore Art Museum
- Queensland Art Gallery
Tang Da Wu is a key figure in Southeast Asia’s modern art world. He uses many different ways to create art, like installations, performances, videos, and workshops.
He’s well-known for his performance art, which is often daring and different from what others do. His work explores social and cultural identity, environmental concerns, and the human experience.
One of his most famous pieces, “Our Children,” mixes old and new ways of doing art, showing his cultural heritage.
Iskandar Jalil
– By art2.gallery
Notable Awards and Recognition:
- Cultural Medallion (1988)
- Order of the Rising Sun from the Emperor of Japan (2015)
Art Style:
- Organic
- Pottery and ceramics
Where to Find His Works:
- National Gallery Singapore
- Singapore Art Museum
- Queensland Art Gallery
- Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Iskandar Jalil is a leading Singaporean artist who creates beautiful clay artworks.
He mixes smooth, rounded shapes with Japanese techniques and Southeast Asian influences. Some of his pieces even have Islamic patterns or ideas from his travels.
His most famous work is “Mangkuk Tingkat,” a stack of stoneware tiffin boxes reimagining a familiar everyday object as a sculptural statement.
Han Sai Por
– By porhansai
Notable Awards and Recognition:
- Cultural Medallion (1988)
- The Leonardo Award for Sculpture, Chianciano Biennale in Italy (2015)
Art Style:
- Organic and nature-focused
- Stone, glass, metals, paper, and ice sculpting
Where to Find His Works:
- National Gallery Singapore
- Singapore Art Museum
- Queensland Art Gallery
- Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
- Public spaces in Singapore, Malaysia, India, China, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States
Han Sai Por is a leading Singaporean artist who carves beautiful sculptures from different materials, like stone, glass, metal, paper, and ice. Her artwork always has a strong connection to nature.
One of her most famous pieces is called “Growth.” It’s a stone sculpture that looks like something is growing inside, showing how much she loves nature and wants to protect it.
Han Sai Por’s art is proof that people can take the beauty of nature and turn it into amazing artwork that everyone, no matter where they’re from, can appreciate.
