In a writing by Chuang You-Ming, he recounts the artist Chuang U-Chow's description of a self-portrait which is made in the style of Van Gogh. (Source: Nanyang Siang Pau, 24 December 1946). As a self-taught artist, Chuang U-Chow studied the works of Western modern masters such as Van Gogh, Picasso, and Matisse through publications. The background of the self-portrait features a painting of an older lady, signifying the identity of the sitter as an artist.Born in Fujian. Chuang U-Chow (庄有钊) was a self-taught artist. He studied at Raffles Institution, likely under Richard Walker who inspired him to continue painting. Chuang met Tchang Ju Chi in 1933 and set up You Peng Art Studio. Chuang was known to be the businessman of the Studio, with Tchang as the artist. Like Tchang, Chuang was a founding member of the Society of Chinese Artists. As he was fluent in German and English, he also served as the secretary of the Society of Chinese Artists which organised exhibitions for the China war relief effort. Tchang, Chuang and Ho Kwong Yew was executed by the Japanese during the Sook Ching operation in 1942.
