Liu Kang played a vital role in art education and development in Singapore. Born in Fujian, he attended the Xinhua Art Academy in Shanghai. Following that, he pursued his education in Académie de la Grande Chaumière in Paris before returning to teach Western painting at his alma mater. After World War II ended, he emigrated to Singapore where he contributed significantly to the local art scene by being an educator at several institutions, and as an advisor to and committee member of several art societies in Singapore.
While many of Liu Kang’s works were oil paintings in the Nanyang style, he was adept at Chinese calligraphy too. During his time as a student at Xinhua Art Academy, Liu trained under eminent artist Liu Haisu, who painted in both Chinese and Western styles. The following series features Liu’s Chinese calligraphy works in the semi-cursive script. Each work presents an auspicious wish or blessing.
