Singaporean artist Thomas Yeo is renowned for his abstract landscapes made with gouache or acrylic paint. Trained at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Yeo was mentored by pioneer artist Cheong Soo Pieng. After graduating in 1960, he furthered his education at Chelsea School of Art and Hammersmith College of Art and Architecture in London. During his time in the UK, Yeo experimented with various techniques and artistic mediums in his creative process. This is evident, for instance, in the use of mixed media collages in his early abstract works. Yeo’s works are vital to the development and history of modern art in Singapore.
Visiting Asia’s natural landscapes has significantly inspired Yeo’s creative practice. Away from the hustle and bustle of a city like Singapore, these tranquil environments allow Yeo to contemplate and find clarity in conveying his emotions and thoughts onto his canvas. In the artwork Blue Dream, Yeo illustrates various forms that look like mountain ranges. Yet, Yeo does not attempt to create a realistic landscape. Instead, using vibrant blues, greens, and thin strokes, he evokes the image of a dreamscape.
