CHUAH THEAN TENG (1914-2008) is one of the finest examples of a Penangite who worked in the state's extensive "intercultural space". Born in China, he moved to Malaya at age 18 and pioneered batik painting when he was in his 40s. "Teng" chose batik as his medium because it "should" be the art form that represents the country. His themes centred around the placid life in the Malay kampung, especially quiet moments between mother and child.

His works, however, reflect a wide range of genres. They have been described as Gauguinesque with distinct influences of Picasso, Braque and Matisse. In this painting, one detects a Van Gogh-like intensity with colours to match. His sketches and other black-and-white works (see here) remind one of Van Gogh's early charcoal works on miners.

A collection of Teng's works is presently on display at an exhibition entitled "Teng: An Appreciation" in the National Art Gallery, Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, Kuala Lumpur (read here and here for more). The show ends Feb 28.

A collection of batik works, including Teng's, is also on show at the 'Batik Painting — An Evolution: Past, Present and Future' exhibition, Galeri Seni Mutiara, Armenian Street, Penang. It ends Feb 22. Read here.

For more on Chuah Thean Teng, read the following:

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