Singaporean artist, Tan Khim Ser is noted for his contributions in developing artistic talent and promoting greater awareness in the local arts. Besides teaching Chinese ink painting for the past 50 years after he graduated from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in 1966, he founded Life Art Society in 1972. The society is involved in numerous art activities and exhibitions, including live art demonstrations by Tan. While he is trained in both Chinese and Western painting and techniques, most of Tan’s works are Chinese ink paintings and calligraphy.
Plein-air painting and sketching had been part of the Academy’s Western painting programme where students experience drawing and painting outdoors. Upon graduation from the Academy in 1966, Tan continued to practice sketching outdoors. Built in 1967, Tiong Bahru park was initiated under the town’s redevelopment plan . Against a backdrop of public housing flats, the park serves as a space of greenery and respite from the density of its surrounding high-rise apartments. A crane observed from afar speaks of the continual development of Tiong Bahru estate.
