[21] Late Afternoon at Aliwal Street Lane (2022) by Ong Kim Seng

Mr Ong Kim Seng describes his work and creative process:

Unlike in many other countries, Singapore’s small alleys are generally safe and accessible to pedestrians. They are often used as shortcuts, especially by busy office workers rushing from one place to another. For an artist, these little alleys can be surprisingly interesting. They often offer some of the best contrasts of light and shadow, making them wonderful compositions for plein air painting. I particularly love the long shadows cast by the old shophouses, creating depth and character within an otherwise ordinary passageway.

And if you observe long enough, you may catch little moments of everyday life too. A couple having a quiet conversation, old friends catching up, or colleagues exchanging a quick pep talk along the alley. These small, unplanned moments are what make such ordinary places so interesting to paint.

Biography:
A celebrated maestro of light and shade, Ong Kim Seng (born in 1945, Singapore), BBM. A.W.S. DF. N.W.S. is amongst the most acclaimed watercolour artists in Asia. He rose to international prominence in the 1980s and has continued to be one of Singapore’s most important and successful artists.

A full-time artist since 1985, Mr Ong was awarded the Cultural Medallion in Visual Arts by the Republic of Singapore in 1990 and is a recipient of 9 awards from the prestigious American Watercolour Society (AWS) in New York. In 1990, he became the first Asian outside of the US to be awarded AWS membership. He was conferred the distinguished Dolphin Fellowship by the Society in 2000.

Displaying fluid strokes and excellent attention to detail, Mr Ong’s watercolours are remarkable for their lyrical expressiveness and poetic charms. His paintings have been featured in numerous exhibitions around the world, including Singapore Art Museum, Agung Rai Museum and Neka Museum (Bali, Indonesia), and in other foreign missions and embassies of the Republic of Singapore.

The watercolour maestro also counts Queen Elizabeth II of England, Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of China, President of the Republic of Korea, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, President of the Republic of the Philippines, Prime Minister of Japan, Prime Minister of India, the Governor of Hokkaido, and the Secretary-General of the United Nations among the long list of royal figures and luminaries who have come to be collectors of his paintings.

Mr Ong has been an Art Advisor to the National Arts Council since 1998 and is a Life Fellow of the National University of Singapore’s Centre of the Arts. He previously served as the President of the Singapore Watercolour Society from 1991 to 2001 and is currently their Honorary President. The artist’s most recent appointment was as Chief Judge for the International Watercolour Exposition held in China, among an international panel of judges from China, USA, Australia, Uruguay, Russia, France and Sweden.

Other information:
Facebook page: Facebook.com/ongkimsengfanpage
Instagram: @kimsengartist
Website: https://www.ongkimseng.com

Specifications:
– Year: 2022
– Medium: Watercolour on Paper
– Dimensions: 85 x 66 cm, framed
– Auction winner can collect Late Afternoon at Aliwal Street during Checkpoint Celebrates! 2026 or make delivery arrangements with our team