Detail: The Story of Yeh Chi Wei is about the life and works of an important artist, Yeh Chi Wei. Yeh drew inspiration from a wide range of cultural sources, such as ancient Chinese rubbings, carvings and Javanese batik. He created highly distinctive oil paintings, works that bear witness to a powerful interweaving of his responses to Asian and Western art histories, cultural sources and travels around Southeast Asia.
Inspired by the tonal variations of the ink medium, Yeh worked within a limited colour palette for subtle effects. His signature robust outlines delineate form while being suggestive of abstract calligraphic strokes.
Yeh was a Singaporean artist, a well-respected art educator and leader in Singapore’s 20th century art scene. He led the Ten Men Group on painting exhibitions to Southeast Asian countries and was a great source of inspiration and encouragement to many other artists. Many consider him to be a true Nanyang artist. This exhibition showcases Yeh’s artistic achievements, contributions to Singapore, and celebration of Southeast Asia through art.