Lee Boon Wang (b.1934) is one of Singapore’s foremost oil painters. He began practicing art at a young age and later he went on to pursue art education at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. Graduating in 1953, Lee taught at the Academy for two years. He also joined the Equator Art Society, when it was formed in 1956. Lee has participated in numerous exhibitions, including Two Man Show in 1974, The Singapore Artists Art Exhibition in 1978, First Solo Exhibition in 1981, and The New York Art Exhibition in 1989. Influenced by his fellow artist and contemporary Chua Mia Tee, Lee Boon Wang draws a large influence from 19th century European realism. Somewhat in contrast to the meticulous description of the human figure that the artist is known for in the 1950s and 60s, ‘Portrait of an Indian Boy’, displays Lee’s differentiated painting style – his flair in loose brushstrokes and in expressive usage of color.
