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.
While Cheah is often recognised for his Chinese ink paintings, he also experiments with various mediums, including digital print on paper. In this self-portrait, the artist renders his face turned away from the viewer. With a few delicate lines, Cheah captures the complexities of the human profile, such as deep-set eyes and wrinkles on the forehead. Looking into the distance, the subject appears to be introspecting or contemplating.
