Born in Fujian Province, Liu Kang (1911-2004) received his formal training in Shanghai Academy of Fine Art, where he was exposed to Chinese paintings. In 1928, he went to Paris where he was influenced by art movements such as Fauvism and Post-Impressionism. Not only was he one of Singapore’s pioneer artists, he was also a leading figure in the Society of Chinese Artists and the Singapore Art Society. In 1970, he was awarded the Public Service Star for his contributions in the field of art.In the 1950s Liu, together with other fellow artists, travelled frequently to Malaya on painting trips. In ‘Outdoor Painting’ Liu paints the artists painting outdoors. It was around this period that Liu produced a number of works with clearly delineated forms, in flat colours.
