See Hiang To

施香沱

Cultural Commentary – Traditions and Heritage

See Hiang To 施香沱• Aka Shi Xiang Tuo, See Hiang Tuo• 1906 – 1990• Born in China, came to SG in 1938• Chinese painter, calligrapher, seal-engraver

• http://tfcsea.nafa.edu.sg/artist_biography.aspx?id=9• http://www.seab.gov.sg/nLevel/2014Syllabus/6125_2014

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See Hiang To Malay Man with Wayang Kulit1977Chinese ink and colour83x36 cm

See Hiang ToMalay Man with Wayang Kulit1977Chinese ink and colour83x36 cm

See Hiang ToMalay Man with Wayang Kulit1977Chinese ink and colour83x36 cm

• Depicts Malay man holding Wayang Kulit puppet• Wayang Kulit = Shadow puppets• Empty background• Rows of Chinese calligraphy at left• Chinese seals at bottom right

• The head of the man is well modelled• The anatomy and proportions are quite accurate

• Contrast with the way the clothes are depicted• Outlines, flat areas of colour• Almost zero modelling

Ren Xiong (1820-1857)Self-portraitUndatedhanging scroll, ink and color on paper 177.4x78.5 cm

Li QiPortrait of Mao Zedong1960Hanging scroll, ink and colour on paper197x117.5 cm

Ma YuanWalking on a Mountain Path in SpringSouthern Song Dynasty (1127-1279 AD)Ink on silk27.4x43.1 cm

Leonardo da VinciMona Lisa1503-06Oil on poplar77x53 cm

See Hiang ToMalay Man with Wayang Kulit1977Chinese ink and colour83x36 cm

• cont’d • Merging of Western and Chinese styles and techniques

• Strong interest in his own heritage• As well as country’s heritage• This work depicts the practices and heritage of different cultures• Reference to multi-culturalism of Singapore?• Shows artist’s open-ness to other cultures?

Other works