Biography Born on: April 1911, Yongchun County, Fujian Province, China Died on: June 2004, Singapore Liu Kang known as Liu Kai, was an oil painter, a member of a group of pioneer local artists, and a key player in establishing a local style in the visual arts. As a renowned artist, Liu Kang not only produced a wide portfolio of works but also, through his various positions in art schools, influenced the next generation of artists and painters in Singapore. He is famous for his Balinese-themed figurative paintings. He was a founding member of the Singapore Art Society, and was credited with developing the Nanyang style. |
After graduating from Shanghai Xinhua Arts Academy in 1928, Liu left for Paris. It is during his five-year stay there that he established his personal style - an integration of Western and Chinese arts.
"I paint with Western painting material and tools, but my style and substance are Chinese, and the realm of my paintings is typically Oriental," says Liu Kang.
Having received his art education from the best of both hemispheres, Liu Kang translated these influences and incorporated local Southeast Asian flavours into his work to create the distinct Nanyang style. This particular style, attributed to Singapore's pioneer painters, was first seen in the works of Liu Kang and fellow painters Chen Wen Hsi, Chen Chong Swee and Cheong Soo Pieng upon their return from a study-cum-painting trip in Bali in 1952.
Some of his work shown.
"I paint with Western painting material and tools, but my style and substance are Chinese, and the realm of my paintings is typically Oriental," says Liu Kang.
Having received his art education from the best of both hemispheres, Liu Kang translated these influences and incorporated local Southeast Asian flavours into his work to create the distinct Nanyang style. This particular style, attributed to Singapore's pioneer painters, was first seen in the works of Liu Kang and fellow painters Chen Wen Hsi, Chen Chong Swee and Cheong Soo Pieng upon their return from a study-cum-painting trip in Bali in 1952.
Some of his work shown.