Cheah Thien Soong is a celebrated artist born in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. He graduated from Chung Hua High School Seremban, Malaysia, in 1959 and NAFA, Singapore, in 1962. Cheah trained in Chinese ink and Western painting under Nanyang pioneer artists Chen Wen Hsi, Cheong Soo Pieng, Chen Chong Swee, See Hiang To, and Georgette Chen, teachers who profoundly influenced his artistic sensibilities. He furthered his studies and received his doctorate from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico in 2002.
Lotuses have been specifically significant motifs in Cheah’s artworks. In an interview with the National Art Gallery, now known as National Gallery Singapore, the artist describes the aquatic plant as a symbol of purity in Chinese culture. In this painting, Cheah uses brushstrokes of different gradations to depict lotuses. While the artist’s bold facture renders the lotuses, he contrasts these striking motifs with his drawings of the fowl, drawn in fine and delicate lines that disperse throughout the art piece. Natural landscapes, flora and fauna are typical in Cheah’s oeuvre and reflect his philosophical beliefs of Tao. This Chinese philosophy promotes knowledge obtained from everyday life.
