Born in 1931, Choo Keng Kwang is widely recognized for realistic renditions of landscape, animals and nature in the oil medium. Sympathetic to local working classes, Choo features them in many of his works. Graduating in 1953 from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), he worked as a teacher, eventually returning to NAFA to helm the Art Education Department in 1984. Choo has since held many solo exhibitions and has participated in group art exhibitions in Southeast Asia, Japan, Europe and USA. Since the 1950s, Choo has received many awards for his many contributions to art and education, among which is the Public Service Medal (PBM) in 1976.In the few weeks leading up to Chinese New Year, Chinatown in Singapore unfailingly springs to life as its streets become crowded with street vendors and shoppers To paint street scenes such as ‘New Year’s Eve at Chinatown’, Choo makes several trips to soak in the atmosphere, observe and make sketches of the people and buildings before completing the painting in his studio. At times, he makes return trips to check out the details and tonal relationship before the painting is finally completed.
