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.

Natural landscapes have significantly inspired Yeo’s creative practice. In San Sebastián, Yeo illustrates a scenic view of a bayfront by a Spanish resort. Employing gentle brushstrokes, the artist brings dimensions and evokes the image of a calm sea. Yet, the artist does not attempt to portray a realistic landscape. Instead, by using blue to depict a mountain and creating a floating vantage point, Yeo evinces the scene of a pleasant dream. This painting exemplifies Yeo’s advanced foundational painting skills acquired during his training at the Academy.