On Thursday evening, September 8th, Southeast Asian Ceramic Society member, Gretchen Liu spoke to fellow members and guests about a pioneer in Southeast Asian arts. She will speak about the Silk Road tour at a future meeting.
Gretchen gave fellow art lovers over an hour of intimate history about her late father-in-law, Liu Kang (1911-2004). Gretchen, a well-known historian, collector, and author, pieced personal photographs, memorabilia and images of paintings together into a visual and oral summary of Liu Kang’s life and passion as an artist. Liu Kang was a hugely important figure on the art scene in Singapore and Gretchen’s talk coincides with a special exhibition at the Singapore Art Museum of Liu Kang’s contribution and influence.
Liu arrived in Shanghai in 1925 to study art and found a mentor and lifelong friend in Liu Haisu, founder of the Shanghai Art Academy. In 1929, Liu went to Paris for a further four years of study and life experiences. There, he met and shared much with Fu Lei who is best known for translating French novels into Chinese.
Liu was a pack-rat and kept mementos of his travels and activities in photographs, notes and sketches. Liu returned to Shanghai in 1933 and taught at the Shanghai Art Academy. In 1937, he married his best friend’s, Chen Jen Hao, younger sister. As Japanese troops neared Shanghai, they left for Malaya. In Singapore, Liu supported his growing family by being a commercial artist as well as an educator. In 1952, he travelled to Bali with Chen Wen Hsi, Chen Chong Swee and Cheong See Pieng. Liu and his friends pioneered the Nanyang style of painting.
The talk originally took place at 7.30 pm on Thursday 8 September 2011, at 82 Cairnhill Road, Singapore 229684.
