Chua Mia Tee

Chua Mia Tee

Profile• Born 1931 in China• Family migrated to Singapore when he was six• Graduated from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts • One of the pioneer practitioners of social realism• Dedicated his life to realistic art• Member of the Equator Art Society

• Opposes the formalist and newer "Western" trends which were regarded as going against the grain of the development of a national identity in art

Equator Art Society

• We deeply believe that art, like any other field of study, can only be achieved through constant and serious practice and study. Unfortunately there are artists who are only trying to copy Western art which has not the least of our national flavour. This certainly is not the art that serves to help uphold our national dignity and to help in our nation building.

- ["Foreword" 1965]

Themes/ Genres• Social realist work• Reflection of real life, of societal truths• Easily accessible by viewer• Common themes

• Anti-colonialism• National identity• Local scenes

• Faithful renderer of national history

Social Realism (in general)• Naturalistic depiction• Reflecting realities of life and society• Often focusing on everyday conditions of working classes and the poor

Gustave Courbet – The Stone Breakers, 1849, oil on canvas

• Used their art to depict ways of life during particular periods of time. These artworks record various lifestyles and daily experiences of people at work and at play.

• Understand the different ways daily experiences are interpreted and used as sources of inspiration by artists.

Social Commentary~ Ways of Life

Singapore Art (1950s to 1970s):

Chua Mia Tee(Singapore)

National Language Class1950

Oil on canvas

112 x 153 cm

• Originally titled “Bahasa Melayu Class”• A Malay teacher teaching Malay Language to a

class of nine Chinese students• Words on the board can be translated into “What

is your name? Where do you live?”• Painted during a period when the nation was

fighting for self-governance

National Language Class (1959)

• National Identity• Social commentary on a nation’s aspirations

in the anti-colonialism era• Malay was a language that suggested

sovereignty• National identity transcends ethnic identity• “What is your name? Where do you live?”• The interaction between the female student

and the standing male student

National Language Class (1959)

• Tensions• Different expressions on the different

students• Dissatisfaction at imposition of a 'National

Language‘?

National Language Class (1959)

Chua Mia Tee(Singapore)

Workers in a Canteen1974. Oil on canvas. Size: 89 x 126 cm.

Realistic: Almost photographic in

appearance

To depict the subject, just as it is.

No idealizing or sensationalizing.

Chua Mia Tee(Singapore)

Workers in a Canteen1974. Oil on canvas. Size: 89 x 126 cm.

Where is this place? How do you know?

Who are the people?(Nationality?Occupation?etc.)

What are they doing?

ANALYSIS OF THE PAINTING:Directional Lines?Contrast?

ANALYSIS OF THE PAINTING:

Repetition: What visuals/images are repeated?

Suggestion of space/depth? Perspective?

Chua Mia TeeWorkers in a Canteen1974.

Subject matter of the painting:

- Noisy, crowded scene in a canteen; workers having lunch (Crammed with workers who fill the space)- People eat, talk/chat, find seats and queue giving a sense of a very full and active space.- Workers, mainly males, are dressed similarly, in beige overalls (their uniform) and caps. Some have towels around their neck; together with their grimy suntanned face suggest that they have been hard at work under the sun.- Table: Chinese bowls and chopsticks; suggestion of them being Asian- Sense of camaraderie amongst the workers: figure in front has his arm around the shoulder of neighbour; workers are chatting

Chua Mia TeeWorkers in a Canteen1974

Analysis of the work:

-Space is crammed; feeling = bustle & activity. Artist makes use of depth and perspective to add to the feel of urgency and realism. Detail adds to the overall effect.- Use of contrasting tone to give a sense of depth. Light flickers across the workers creating areas of sharp tonal contrast.- Colours used are sombre; almost monochrome brown shades- The light effect centres the eye on the lighter toned central figure and tones darken towards the edges of the painting, a strategy to keep the viewer engaged in the work.- Use of repetition in the figures and diagonal (suggested by the tables & workers) creates a dynamic composition and visual noise that adds to the atmosphere of the canteen.

Chua Mia TeeWorkers in a Canteen1974.

Why do you think the artist chose to depict such subject matter?

- A social commentary. It shows the realistic conditions of factory life and how the lunch break is at once a very busy and active moment but also a relief from work.- Documentation of the arrival of migrant workers to Singapore.- The work does not pass a judgement about conditions apart from the fact that the scene is cramped and drab working clothes predominated making the people seem less individual but actually part of a larger concern as a cog in the industrial process.- Subtle comment on the modernization that’s taking place and the erosion of traditional occupation.

Chua Mia Tee - Workers in a Canteen, 1974, Oil on canvas

Chua Mia Tee - Vanishing Scene of Boat Quay, 1981, Oil on board

Vanishing Scene of Boat Quay (1981)• Influenced by his childhood experiences• Grim, dull colours – Forlorn façade of building, Somber

atmosphere• Minimal movement in the painting – sense of stillness• Reveals how the passing of time and advancement of society

results in the abandonment of the old

Chua Mia Tee – Old Chinatown, 1980, oil on canvas

Old Chinatown (1980)• Bright, vibrant colours• Cultural vibrancy and spirit of old Chinatown • Lives of the people then• Sense of nostalgia

Chua Mia Tee – Singapore River, oil on board

Chua Mia Tee – Waterfall, oil on board

References• http://postcolonialweb.org/singapore/arts/painters/chuamiatee/• http://www.artnet.com/artist/624900/chua-mia-tee.html• http://www.biotechnics.org/2chuamiatee.html• http://www.dlrgallery.com/events/28102006.html• http://www.artmgs.info/2006/09• http://www.nhb.gov.sg/SAM/Information/Newsroom/PressReleasesA

rchive/1998IMPRINTSONSINGAPOREART.htm• http://www.elitepainter.com/gallery/Chua%20Mia%20Tee/2007• http://alfian.diaryland.com/classroom.html