WEE BENG CHONG

Wee Beng Chong 黄明宗 completed his Diploma in Fine Arts in 1958 and studied at L’Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux Arts in Paris (Department of Sculpture) in 1964-1969. He has held 9 solo exhibitions and participated in numerous group exhibitions in countries such as Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Moscow, New Zealand, Paris, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and United Kingdom. He was awarded the Cultural Medallion Award for Achievement and Contribution by the Singapore Ministry of Culture in 1979, First-class Award in Chinese Calligraphy, Gold Medallion Award, Chen Jin Zhao Calligraphy, Modern Art Creativity Award, Certificate of Honour, Gold Award in the 7th International Korea Chinese Painting and Calligraphy Art Exhibition. His works are among the collections of local and overseas corporations. He is currently a senior fine art lecturer at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore.

Trajectories - the Oeuvre of Wee Beng Chong

From 12 - 20 September 2003, the artist will be showcasing his works at the Ngee Ann Cultural Centre Exhibition Hall.


First solo exhibition in 30 years
Wee's first solo exhibition in more than 30 years, Trajectories will feature many of the artist's works which have never been exhibited before.

An established artist, Wee has participated in numerous group exhibitions and has had eight solo exhibitions to date, with the last solo exhibition held way back in 1970. However, to concentrate on his teaching career and creative pursuits, Wee did not hold another solo exhibition until this year.

The Trajectories exhibition focuses mainly on Wee's calligraphic works, and will also include an array of his seal-engravings as well as paintings.

Recipient of the first Cultural Medallion Award (Art)
Wee Beng-Chong was born in 1938 in Singapore. An alumnus of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), Wee went on to further his training in sculpture at the L'Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux Arts in Paris, France for five years.

For his active role in the local arts scene, Wee was awarded the very first Cultural Medallion for Art in 1979 by the National Arts Council. Apart from creating his masterpieces, the artist also holds important positions in various art societies, such as the Modern Art Society and the NAFA Alumni Association. Wee is also highly revered in the international arts arena. For instance, he was awarded the prestigious International Prize for Modern Art in France and has held exhibitions in Malaysia, Germany and Switzerland.

 

Professor Tommy Koh, Chairman of the National Heritage Board, will be the Guest-of-Honour for exhibition's opening ceremony on 11 September, 7.30pm at the Ngee Ann Cultural Centre.