Cheng Yong Lee Paintings & Artwork for Sale | Cheng Yong Lee Art Value Price Guide

Mar. 19, 2023
Lee Cheng Yong (b. 1913 - 1974) Mother And Child
Est: RM8,000 - RM14,000
Lee Cheng Yong, is the most versatile Malaysia's pioneer artists who trained at the Shanghai Academy of Fine Art in China. He gained a lot of followers when he later taught Art at the Chung Ling High School in Penang, and in home private tuitions. In this piece, two pretty faces (mother and child) are seen emerging amidst the muted colour blocks thus creating a pleasant ambiance throughout. He was also an activist, as founding president of the Penang Chinese Art Club (1935), founding member of the Society of Chinese Artists Singapore (1935), Ying Ying Art Society (1936) and the Penang Art Society (1953). He was arguably the second artist to have a proper solo exhibition, at the Philomatic Union in Acheen Street in 1932. In 1996, the Penang State Art Gallery accorded him a Retrospective, and in the same year, he was given a Memorial exhibition at The Art Gallery, Penang.
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
Nov. 06, 2022
Lee Cheng Yong (b. China, 1913 - 1974) Untitled
Est: RM5,000 - RM9,000
Lee Cheng Yong was adept at portraits, still-life, Realism and abstracts including a sustained series on Cubism. Here, Cheng Yong's versatility is displayed in this still life composition through his experimentation with object placement, textures, and lines. A variety of vegetables including cabbage, spring onion, chillies, tomatoes placed in a rattan basket comes together to form a well-balanced composition. He explores the relationship of forms and colour against a subtle background that enhances the crisp green shades from the leaves, allowing the audience to delve deeper into scenes from his everyday life. He was also an activist, as founding president of the Penang Chinese Art Club (1935), founding member of the Society of Chinese Artists Singapore (1935), Ying Ying Art Society (1936) and the Penang Art Society (1953). He was arguably the second artist to have a proper solo exhibition, at the Philomatic Union in Acheen Street in 1932. In 1996, the Penang State Art Gallery accorded him a Retrospective, and in the same year, he was given a Memorial exhibition at The Art Gallery, Penang.
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
Dec. 05, 2021
Lee Cheng Yong (b. China, 1913 - d. 1974) Self-Portrait In Bronze, 1958
Est: RM8,000 - RM14,000
Lee Cheng Yong, the most versatile of Malaysia’s pioneer artists and one college-trained, was already accomplished in his techniques when he painted this, from a bronze bust he made of his image. Trained at the Shanghai Academy of Fine Art in China, he gained a lot of followers when he later taught Art at the Chung Ling High School in Penang, and in home private tuitions. In this 2D portrait, Cheng Yong applied the illusory sculptural effect like that of mild embossed copper-tooling. Some of his other self-portraits were in oil. He also painted in pastel, gouache, ink, and on ceramic plates besides sculptures. He was adept at portraits, still-life, Realism and abstracts including a sustained series on Cubism. He was also an activist, as founding president of the Penang Chinese Art Club (1935), founding member of the Society of Chinese Artists Singapore (1935), Ying Ying Art Society (1936) and the Penang Art Society (1953). He was arguably the second artist to have a proper solo exhibition, at the Philomatic Union in Acheen Street in 1932. In 1996, the Penang State Art Gallery accorded him a Retrospective, and in the same year, he was given a Memorial exhibition at The Art Gallery, Penang.
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
Dec. 05, 2021
Lee Cheng Yong (b. China, 1913 - d. 1974) Tree & Hut, 1943
Est: RM12,000 - RM20,000
The dominant features are the menacing tentacular tree branches like oversized creepers cutting a diagonal swathe in a parched landscape. One can imagine how huge the tree trunk must be. There was a hut in the immediate top left, and another on the top right, peeping out in the distance. Lee Cheng Yong must have ventured out far into the countryside, with bare undulating terrain which makes one wonder how he got there. In 1943, Lee was 30 and teaching at the Chung Ling High School in Penang. It was the year he married fellow teacher, Chong Swee Lean. Artist-activist-art teacher Lee Cheng Yong was accorded a Retrospective by the Penang State Art Gallery and a Memorial exhibition by The Art Gallery in Penang, both in 1996. He boasted of tutelage at the Shanghai Academy of Fine Art (1927) and even had a solo exhibition in 1932, at the Philomatic Union in Acheen Street. As an art teacher at the Chung Ling High School in Penang, he impacted many besides those in his private tuitions. Among his best known student is Dato' Chong Hon Fatt. He was also actively promoting art, as founding president of the Penang Chinese Art Club, and a founding member of the Society of Chinese Artists Singapore, Ying Ying Art Society and the Penang Art Society. His highest auction price was RM80,640 for his Rubber Collection set at the Henry Butcher Art Auction in March 2015.
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
Mar. 21, 2021
Lee Cheng Yong (b. China, 1913 - d. Penang, 1974) Untitled
Est: RM6,000 - RM10,000
Lee Cheng Yong was adept at portraits, still-life, Realism and abstracts including a sustained series on Cubism. Here, he portrays his subjects through selected colours and lines. A sense of movement and vibration is achieved through dynamic shapes and forms. He explored the relationship of forms and colour against a dark background, allowing the audience to delve into his surrounding world. He was also an activist, as founding president of the Penang Chinese Art Club (1935), founding member of the Society of Chinese Artists Singapore (1935), Ying Ying Art Society (1936) and the Penang Art Society (1953). He was arguably the second artist to have a proper solo exhibition, at the Philomatic Union in Acheen Street in 1932. In 1996, the Penang State Art Gallery accorded him a Retrospective, and in the same year, he was given a Memorial exhibition at The Art Gallery, Penang.
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
Mar. 21, 2021
Lee Cheng Yong (b. China, 1913 - d. Penang, 1974) Untitled
Est: RM25,000 - RM45,000
Lee Cheng Yong, is the most versatile Malaysia’s pioneer artists who trained at the Shanghai Academy of Fine Art in China, he gained a lot of followers when he later taught Art at the Chung Ling High School in Penang, and in home private tuitions. In this piece two pretty faces (mother and child?) are seen emerging amidst the muted colour blocks thus creating a pleasant ambiance throughout. He was also an activist, as founding president of the Penang Chinese Art Club (1935), founding member of the Society of Chinese Artists Singapore (1935), Ying Ying Art Society (1936) and the Penang Art Society (1953). He was arguably the second artist to have a proper solo exhibition, at the Philomatic Union in Acheen Street in 1932. In 1996, the Penang State Art Gallery accorded him a Retrospective, and in the same year, he was given a Memorial exhibition at The Art Gallery, Penang.
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
Nov. 15, 2020
Lee Cheng Yong (b. China, 1913 - d. Penang, 1974) Self-Portrait In Bronze, 1958
Est: RM8,000 - RM14,000
Lee Cheng Yong, the most versatile of Malaysia’s pioneer artists and one college-trained, was already accomplished in his techniques when he painted this, from a bronze bust he made of his image. Trained at the Shanghai Academy of Fine Art in China, he gained a lot of followers when he later taught Art at the Chung Ling High School in Penang, and in home private tuitions. In this 2D portrait, Cheng Yong applied the illusory sculptural effect like that of mild embossed copper-tooling. Some of his other self-portraits were in oil. He also painted in pastel, gouache, ink, and on ceramic plates besides sculptures. He was adept at portraits, still-life, Realism and abstracts including a sustained series on Cubism. He was also an activist, as founding president of the Penang Chinese Art Club (1935), founding member of the Society of Chinese Artists Singapore (1935), Ying Ying Art Society (1936) and the Penang Art Society (1953). He was arguably the second artist to have a proper solo exhibition, at the Philomatic Union in Acheen Street in 1932. In 1996, the Penang State Art Gallery accorded him a Retrospective, and in the same year, he was given a Memorial exhibition at The Art Gallery, Penang.
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
Apr. 29, 2018
LEE CHENG YONG (b. 1913 - d. 1974) WOMAN WITH WHITE CLOTH, undated, Oil on canvas laid on masonite board
Est: RM19,000 - RM34,000
Like Renoir, Lee Cheng Yong seems to prefer more well-rounded women as can be seen in his paintings of women, including this one. Woman With White Cloth shows one who is half-naked, and with her tanned skin more reminiscent of Paul Gauguin’s Tahitian damsels. Besides, she is too large sized for a local while draping herself with a white cloth to cover her lower half. She seems to be stubbing the sand in front of her with the forefinger of her left hand while waiting for somebody, a lover perhaps, or something. The landscape is sparse except for the sturdy tree trunk on the right with the root tentacles prominent. Lee Cheng Yong is arguably the most versatile of the pioneer artist who also devoted his life to teaching Art, mostly at Han Chiang High School in Penang. He studied at the Sin Hwa Art Academy (later known as Shanghai Academy of Fine Art) in 1927 and taught Art at the Chung Ling High School in Penang. He was given a Retrospective by the Penang State Art Gallery in 1996 after solo exhibitions in 1934 (Philomatic Union, Penang) and 1960 (Chin Kang Association, Penang). He became first president of the Penang Chinese Art Club, which he formed in 1936.
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
Apr. 29, 2018
LEE CHENG YONG (b. 1913 - d. 1974) LADY WITH LEAVES, undated, Oil on canvas laid on board
Est: RM13,000 - RM23,000
It’s not known who’s the woman depicted amidst plants with large pendulous leaves, but the woman with shoulder-length hair and fair and smooth complexion looks like a village damsel with no jewellery on her, not even earrings. There’s something that looks like a sarong wrapped over her chest, but you could only guess from the small little triangle of red on the bottom right (of the painting) that passes for it. She looks lost in thought. Is it boyfriend / hubby tiff, or sheer boredom and drudgery of rural life? What is she contemplating?Lee Cheng Yong is arguably the most versatile of the pioneer artist who also devoted his life to teaching Art, mostly at Han Chiang High School in Penang. He studied at the Sin Hwa Art Academy (later known as Shanghai Academy of Fine Art) in 1927 and taught Art at the Chung Ling High School in Penang. He was given a Retrospective by the Penang State Art Gallery in 1996 after solo exhibitions in 1934 (Philomatic Union, Penang) and 1960 (Chin Kang Association, Penang). He became first president of the Penang Chinese Art Club, which he formed in 1936.
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
May. 14, 2017
Lee Cheng Yong (B. China, 1913-1974) Flowers in a Vase, 1950s
Est: RM2,500 - RM5,000
Lee Cheng Yong Flowers in a Vase, 1950s Pastel on paper 34 x 24 cm
KLAS Art Auction
Mar. 05, 2017
LANDSCAPE
Est: RM15,000 - RM25,000
Painting with frame
The Edge Auction
Mar. 05, 2017
LUCKY TOAD
Est: RM15,000 - RM25,000
Painting with frame
The Edge Auction
Mar. 05, 2017
BUST OF A MAN
Est: RM5,000 - RM8,000
Sculpture with acrylic clear box
The Edge Auction
Mar. 05, 2017
SIX FIGURES
Est: RM3,000 - RM5,000
Painting with frame
The Edge Auction
Apr. 24, 2016
LEE CHENG YONG (B. China, 1913 - 1974) 'Still Life'
Est: RM2,000 - RM3,500
Signed and dated "CY 70" on lower right
KLAS Art Auction
Apr. 17, 2016
LEE CHENG YONG (b. 1913 - d. 1974) From A Balcony, Undated, Oil on canvas laid on board
Est: RM9,000 - RM12,000
This poetic composition by versatile artist Lee Cheng Yong is rendered with technical sophistication, capturing a kampong neighbourhood scene from the veranda overlooking the hills. The juxtaposition between modern home and kampong dwelling – typified by the clay roof tiles and nipah roof – indicate the socioeconomic status of the residents, presumably in Penang, where the artist lived and worked. His palette is rich and dense, emphasising on light and contrast. Lee Cheng Yong studied at Xin Hua Art Academy (later known as the Shanghai Academy of Fine Art) in 1927 and held his first solo exhibition at the Philomatic Union in Acheen Street, Penang in 1932 while his next was in 1960 at the Chin Kang Association in Macalister Road in Penang. He formed the Penang Chinese Art Club in 1935 and was elected its first president. The Penang State Art Gallery posthumously honoured him with the Lee Cheng Yong memorial exhibition in 1996. Although Lee Cheng Yong produced numerous works on various subjects in various media, indicating his versatility, he was also known as a dedicated art teacher at Chung Ling High School in Penang. He fostered generations of students who would become renowned artists, such as Chong Hon Fatt and Chai Chuan Jin. He was masteful mostly in oils, with works in the Post-Impressionist mould. Besides paintings, he also produced sculptures and murals. His works are collected in among others, the Fukuoka Art Museum and the Singapore Art Museum. REFERENCE Lee Cheng Yong Retrospective Exhibition, The Art Gallery, 1996. Eight Pioneers of Malaysian Art (With Supplement on Peter Harris), Dato’ Dr. Tan Chee Khuan, Penang State Art Gallery, 2013.
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
Oct. 04, 2015
LEE CHENG YONG (b. 1913 - d. 1974) Self-Portrait, Undated, Oil on canvas laid on board
Est: RM30,000 - RM40,000
Through the tradition of self-portraiture, the artist unveils his indomitable spirit onto the canvas, intently “peering into the dark of his own gaze”. The sculpted features affirm the artist’s great understanding of anatomy, and solid academic grounding in art through formal training at the Sin Hwa Art Academy in Shanghai. The face is modelled with strong contrasts between light and shade, complemented by intense rich green hues in the background. This portrait embodies the enigmatic persona of the artist, radiating a strong impenetrable resolution and vision towards art and life. Lee Cheng Yong studied at Xin Hua Art Academy (later known as the Shanghai Academy of Fine Art) in 1927 and held his first solo exhibition at the Philomatic Union in Acheen Street, Penang in 1932 while his next was in 1960 at the Chin Kang Association in Macalister Road in Penang. He formed the Penang Chinese Art Club in 1935 and was elected its first president. He was honoured with the Lee Cheng Yong Memorial exhibition by the Penang State Art Gallery in 1996. Although Lee Cheng Yong left copious works on various subjects in various media indicating his versatility, he was also known as a dedicated art teacher at the Chung Ling High School. He fostered generations of star students such as Chong Hon Fatt and Chai ChuanJin. He was prodigious mostly in oils, with works in the Post-Impressionist mould. Besides paintings, he had also done sculptures and murals. His works are collected in among others, the Fukuoka Art Museum and the Singapore Art Museum. REFERENCE Lee Cheng Yong Retrospective Exhibition , The Art Gallery, 1996. Eight Pioneers of Malaysian Art (With Supplement on Peter Harris) , Dato’ Dr. Tan Chee Khuan, Penang State Art Gallery, 2013.
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
Oct. 04, 2015
LEE CHENG YONG (b. 1913 - d. 1974) Rural Landscape, c.1960s, Oil on canvas
Est: RM28,000 - RM40,000
This poetic landscape scene by pioneer artist Lee Cheng Yong is rendered with technical sophistication. The juxtaposition between the light sandy grounds and the dark shadows of lush foliage enveloping the kampong huts enhance the impression of a beautiful warm day of the tropics. Two tree trunks which punctuate the composition on the right add rhythmic movement. The image with the depiction of a vacant hut in its center, devoid of human presence evokes a dreamlike quality, hinting subtly that man is subjected to the forces of nature which are beyond him. Lee Cheng Yong studied at Xin Hua Art Academy (later known as the Shanghai Academy of Fine Art) in 1927 and held his first solo exhibition at the Philomatic Union in Acheen Street, Penang in 1932 while his next was in 1960 at the Chin Kang Association in Macalister Road in Penang. He formed the Penang Chinese Art Club in 1935 and was elected its first president. He was honoured with the Lee Cheng Yong Memorial exhibition by the Penang State Art Gallery in 1996. Although Lee Cheng Yong left copious works on various subjects in various media indicating his versatility, he was also known as a dedicated art teacher at the Chung Ling High School. He fostered generations of star students such as Chong Hon Fatt and Chai ChuanJin. He was prodigious mostly in oils, with works in the Post-Impressionist mould. Besides paintings, he had also done sculptures and murals. His works are collected in among others, the Fukuoka Art Museum and the Singapore Art Museum. REFERENCE Lee Cheng Yong Retrospective Exhibition , The Art Gallery, 1996. Eight Pioneers of Malaysian Art (With Supplement on Peter Harris) , Dato’ Dr. Tan Chee Khuan, Penang State Art Gallery, 2013.
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
Oct. 04, 2015
LEE CHENG YONG (b. 1913 - d. 1974) Sleeping, Undated, Oil on board
Est: RM35,000 - RM50,000
Sleeping depicts a figure study composed according to classical academic ideals. The artist carefully observes the effects of light on the flesh of a reclining nude who is lying asleep gracefully on soft cushions amidst luxurious designs of drapery. The elegant body is suffused with soft light, and the supple flesh is complemented with an exotic palette of vibrant colours. Lee Cheng Yong studied at Xin Hua Art Academy (later known as the Shanghai Academy of Fine Art) in 1927 and held his first solo exhibition at the Philomatic Union in Acheen Street, Penang in 1932 while his next was in 1960 at the Chin Kang Association in Macalister Road in Penang. He formed the Penang Chinese Art Club in 1935 and was elected its first president. He was honoured with the Lee Cheng Yong Memorial exhibition by the Penang State Art Gallery in 1996. Although Lee Cheng Yong left copious works on various subjects in various media indicating his versatility, he was also known as a dedicated art teacher at the Chung Ling High School. He fostered generations of star students such as Chong Hon Fatt and Chai Chuan Jin. He was prodigious mostly in oils, with works in the Post-Impressionist mould. Besides paintings, he had also done sculptures and murals. His works are collected in among others, the Fukuoka Art Museum and the Singapore Art Museum. REFERENCE Eight Pioneers of Malaysian Art (With Supplement on Peter Harris) , Dato’ Dr. Tan Chee Khuan, Penang State Art Gallery, 2013.
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
Mar. 29, 2015
LEE CHENG YONG (b. 1913 - d. 1974), Rubber Collection, undated, Oil on board
Est: RM25,000 - RM40,000
Lee Cheng Yong employs a variety of shape, form, colour and line to convey a visual language "to create a composition which may exist with a degree of independence from visual references in the world." A departure from reality in depiction of imagery in art, Lee Cheng Yong chooses to illustrate an abstract rendition of a rubber plantation in a multitude of colours ranging from yellow, orange, red, blue, green, brown to black. The result is visually appealing celebrating the process of rubber tapping, which normally takes place early in the morning, when the internal pressure of the tree is highest. Lee Cheng Yong studied at Xin Hua Art Academy (later known as the Shanghai Academy of Fine Art) in 1927 and held his first solo exhibition at the Philomatic Union in Acheen Street, Penang in 1932 while his next was in 1960 at the Chin Kang Association in Macalister Road in Penang. He formed the Penang Chinese Art Club in 1935 and was elected its first president. He was honoured with the Lee Cheng Yong Memorial exhibition by the Penang State Art Gallery in 1996. Although Lee Cheng Yong left copious works on various subjects in various media indicating his versatility, he was also known as a dedicated art teacher at the Chung Ling High School. He fostered generations of star students such as Chong Hon Fatt and Chai Chuan Jin. He was prodigious mostly in oils, with works in the Post-Impressionist mould. Besides paintings, he had also done sculptures and murals. His works are collected in among others, the Fukuoka Art Museum and the Singapore Art Museum. REFERENCE Lee Cheng Yong Retrospective Exhibition , The Art Gallery, 1996. Eight Pioneers of Malaysian Art (With Supplement on Peter Harris) , Dato' Dr. Tan Chee Khuan, Penang State Art Gallery, 2013. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abstract_art
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
Mar. 29, 2015
LEE CHENG YONG (b. 1913 - d. 1974 ), Waiting, Undated, Oil on board
Est: RM20,000 - RM30,000
Waiting depicts a bare-chested woman wearing a blue sarong with floral motif seated patiently in anticipation. In the background, there are two other women, one is seen breastfeeding a child clad in a green sarong while another woman on the left - dressed in a purple and brown striped sarong - has her back facing the viewer. Lee Cheng Yong's Primitivism-inspired paintings have set him apart from the other painters of his time. The following excerpt is an anonymous review for his solo exhibition at Chin Kang Association, Macalister Road, Penang from a local Chinese newspaper clipping dated 29 December 1960: "Today Lee Cheng Yong has stood up and given confidence to our people. His art is full of natural beauty. That is his strength. In his works there is no fixed style... His lines are natural. He shows things in depth. They are alive, and that is what makes him different from the others. Lee Cheng Yong has achieved masterpieces not only in his figurative paintings, but also in his more imaginative works. Yet he is still humble and willing to learn more. He hopes to be able to achieve one day a synthesis of all his styles." Lee Cheng Yong studied at Xin Hua Art Academy (later known as the Shanghai Academy of Fine Art) in 1927 and held his first solo exhibition at the Philomatic Union in Acheen Street, Penang in 1932 while his next was in 1960 at the Chin Kang Association in Macalister Road in Penang. He formed the Penang Chinese Art Club in 1935 and was elected its first president. He was honoured with the Lee Cheng Yong Memorial exhibition by the Penang State Art Gallery in 1996. Although Lee Cheng Yong left copious works on various subjects in various media indicating his versatility, he was also known as a dedicated art teacher at the Chung Ling High School. He fostered generations of star students such as Chong Hon Fatt and Chai Chuan Jin. He was prodigious mostly in oils, with works in the Post-Impressionist mould. Besides paintings, he had also done sculptures and murals. His works are collected in among others, the Fukuoka Art Museum and the Singapore Art Museum. REFERENCE Lee Cheng Yong Retrospective Exhibition , The Art Gallery, 1996. Eight Pioneers of Malaysian Art (With Supplement on Peter Harris) , Dato' Dr. Tan Chee Khuan, Penang State Art Gallery, 2013.
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
Nov. 09, 2014
LEE CHENG YONG (b. 1913 - d. 1974), Dancer, undated, oil on board
Est: RM22,000 - RM30,000
LEE CHENG YONG b. China, 1913 - d. Penang, 1974 DANCER, undated Signed and dated 'LEE CHENG YONG LeeCY' (upper right) Oil on board 60cm x 50cm The uber-talented artist and sculptor Lee Cheng Yong was one of the most experimental painters of his time. Presented here is an abstract piece featuring a single traditional female dancer - distinctive through the figure's curves and posture - executed in the style of Cubism. The colours of Kandinsky are applied creating a jubilant atmosphere inviting the viewer to celebrate the merriment with a dance, an impressive feat for an image that is depicted with complete departure from the accurate representation of subject matter. Objects are analysed, broken up and reassembled in an abstracted form instead of depicting objects from one viewpoint, the artist depicts the subject from a multitude of viewpoints to represent the subject in a greater context. Lee Cheng Yong studied at Xin Hua Art Academy (later known as the Shanghai Academy of Fine Art) in 1927 and held his first solo exhibition at the Philomatic Union in Acheen Street, Penang in 1932 while his next was in 1960 at the Chin Kang Association in Macalister Road in Penang. He formed the Penang Chinese Art Club in 1935 and was elected its first president. He was honoured with the Lee Cheng Yong Memorial exhibition by the Penang State Art Gallery in 1996. Although Lee Cheng Yong left copious works on various subjects in various media indicating his versatility, he was also known as a dedicated art teacher at the Chung Ling High School. He fostered generations of star students such as Chong Hon Fatt and Chai Chuan Jin. He was prodigious mostly in oils, with works in the Post-Impressionist mould. Besides paintings, he had also done sculptures and murals. His works are collected in among others, the Fukuoka Art Museum and the Singapore Art Museum. REFERENCE A Tribute to Lee Cheng Yong, The Art Gallery, 2001. Eight Pioneers of Malaysian Art (With Supplement on Peter Harris), Dato' Dr. Tan Chee Khuan, Penang State Art Gallery, 2013.
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
Nov. 09, 2014
LEE CHENG YONG (b. 1913 - d. 1974), Hope, c.1960s, oil on board
Est: RM16,000 - RM25,000
LEE CHENG YONG b. China, 1913 - d. Penang, 1974 HOPE, c. 1960s Signed 'CY' (lower right) Oil on board 46cm x 39cm Hope displays a sense of affinity towards native Malaya, illustrated by the versatile artist Lee Cheng Yong in a Gauguininspired manner present in subject matter and style. The native woman's calm feature is composed skywards as though to denote confidence and pride with her pink veil spectacularly fluttering in the wind. Her broad shoulders dominate the lower quarter of the composition and the yellow-blue sky is expressed in a post-Impressionist manner. Perhaps the artist had found common grounds with the great Paul Gauguin - romaticised by an exotic land and inspirations sought - though in the case of Lee Cheng Yong, in Nanyang. Lee Cheng Yong studied at Xin Hua Art Academy (later known as the Shanghai Academy of Fine Art) in 1927 and held his first solo exhibition at the Philomatic Union in Acheen Street, Penang in 1932 while his next was in 1960 at the Chin Kang Association in Macalister Road in Penang. He formed the Penang Chinese Art Club in 1935 and was elected its first president. He was honoured with the Lee Cheng Yong Memorial exhibition by the Penang State Art Gallery in 1996. Although Lee Cheng Yong left copious works on various subjects in various media indicating his versatility, he was also known as a dedicated art teacher at the Chung Ling High School. He fostered generations of star students such as Chong Hon Fatt and Chai Chuan Jin. He was prodigious mostly in oils, with works in the Post-Impressionist mould. Besides paintings, he had also done sculptures and murals. His works are collected in among others, the Fukuoka Art Museum and the Singapore Art Museum. REFERENCE A Tribute to Lee Cheng Yong, The Art Gallery, 2001. Eight Pioneers of Malaysian Art (With Supplement on Peter Harris), Dato' Dr. Tan Chee Khuan, Penang State Art Gallery, 2013.
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers