Georgette Chen, also known as Zhang Liying, was a Singaporean painter and one of the pioneers of modern Singaporean art. Born in Paris in 1906 to Chinese parents, Chen spent her early years in Shanghai and later studied art in Paris and New York.
Early Life and Education
Chen's father, Zhang Renjie, was an antique dealer with businesses in Paris, London, and New York City. Due to her father's profession, Chen spent her childhood traveling between Paris and China, attending high school in the US, and studying art at the Art Students League of New York for a year in 1926. She later studied at the Académie Colarossi and Académie Biloul in Paris.
Artistic Career
In 1930, two of Chen's works were selected for inclusion in the
Salon d'Automne exhibition in Paris. Her work was also exhibited at the
Salon des Tuileries and the
Salon des Independents. One of her works was acquired by the
Musée du Jeu de Paume in Paris. Chen's paintings, such as
Bananas in a Basket and Self-Portrait, can be found on
WahooArt.com and
WahooArt.com.
Awards and Recognition
In 1982, Chen was awarded the
Cultural Medallion for her contributions to the visual arts in Singapore. Her biography can be found on
Wikipedia.
Artistic Style and Influence
Chen's artistic style was influenced by her travels and studies in Paris, New York, and Shanghai. Her paintings often featured
still life and
landscape themes. Chen's contributions to art education as a teacher at the
Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) from 1954 to 1981 were significant, and her students included notable artists such as Ang Ah Tee.
- Chen's paintings are characterized by their use of oil on canvas and bold colors.
- Her artistic style was influenced by Impressionist and Fauvist movements.
- Chen's contributions to art education in Singapore were significant, and she is considered one of the pioneers of modern Singaporean art.
Chen's legacy can be seen in her paintings, such as
Lotus in a Breeze, which can be found on
WahooArt.com. Her biography is also available on
Wikipedia.