Ang Ah Tee studied Western Painting at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts from 1960 to 1962 and was mentored by pioneer artists Cheong Soo Pieng and Georgette Chen. Although trained in various Western art mediums, Ang was exceptionally gifted in drawing and painting. Acrylic paint was often his material of choice as it dries quickly, allowing him to add layers to the canvas using a palette knife without much delay. Following a decision to pursue artmaking full-time in 1977, travelling became Ang's primary source of inspiration, and these influences are apparent in his works.
Ang’s early artworks mainly depicted scenes from Singapore and the broader Southeast Asian region. Showcased in Ang’s 11th solo exhibition Inspired Journeys held in 2006 at NAFA, River Seine marks Ang’s first foray into employing European landscapes as subject matters. Ang’s penchant for the Post-Impressionist style is illustrated by his experimentation with colour and his geometrical depictions of the boats and trees in this painting. Later in his artistic trajectory, the artist experimented with more abstract approaches in his oeuvre. River Seine is significant as it reveals an essential milestone in Ang’s development as an artist.
