Frame size: H77.2 x W98.4 x D2.9 cm
Born in Guangdong Province, China, Chen Chong Swee (1910-1985) came to Singapore in 1931 shortly after graduating from Xinhua Academy of Art, Shanghai. He co-founded the Salon Art Society (now the Singapore Society of Chinese Artists) in 1935 and was a teacher with Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts for over 20 years. In 1952, Chen, together with fellow artists Chen Wen Hsi, Cheong Soo Pieng and Liu Kang, went on what would eventually turn out be a historically significant trip to Bali, Indonesia in search of new inspiration and subject matter. As one of the first artists instrumental in developing the Nanyang Style, Chen pioneered attempts to interpret local landscapes according to the Chinese concept of pictorial composition with Western watercolour techniques.Throughout Chen’s career, his artistic style remained realistic as he believed that the objective a painting must be understood by its viewer; his works are thus often inspired by his surroundings. In ‘Ebb Tide’, a boat, stranded by the receding tide, is the main focus. In the background, tonal differences create depth in the foliage, while the gentle curve of the shoreline leads the viewer’s gaze to the ‘kelong’ (fishing traps built on stilts).
