Cai Xiuya (Cai Siew Ya) was one of the early graduates of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. From the 1950-the 1960s, the academy invited alums to fill teaching positions, and Cai was one of them. As a teacher and student of NAFA, his characteristic style can be described agile and academic, as shown in these two works likely of the same period.
This sketch in watercolour shows a dancer from the back view and in action. Less decorative and elaborate than the legong, the costume is a bare style sarong and headdress, no sleeves or jacket, perhaps originating from the folk entertainment dances, like the animal-themed dance ‘oleg’ or ‘cendrawasih’, involving both male and female characters. The posture of this dancer captured looks masculine, showing more strength as opposed to lithe grace. This work is embedded in the academic style watercolour, brisk and simple.
