Presenting Portraiture Series: A Survey of Chinese Portrait Painters in Nineteenth Century Singapore and Java

Artist Unknown
Portrait of Couple, Man in Mandarin Robe and Lady in Baju Kurung and Sarong with Stylized Lok Cuan Motif
c.1890, Indonesia (Java)
Oil on Canvas, 58 x 43 cm

Date: 2 July 2014, Wednesday
Time: 7.00pm - 9.00pm

Venue: NUS Museum
Fee: Free Admission

The work of Chinese portrait painters for their Peranakan clients in the Straits Settlements and the Dutch East Indies is undocumented. A survey of such works from the nineteenth century, and of their obscure creators, some of whom whom were itinerant, add new perspectives about the genesis of modern art in the region, and also raises questions about national art and even Peranakan art.

Please click here to view the eflyer.

About the Speaker:

Peter Lee is an independent art consultant and the Honorary Curator of the NUS Baba House. He is a committee member of The Peranakan Association and in charge of research and information. He oversees the Association's website and quarterly magazine as well as special projects like the publication of A Baba Malay Dictionary by William Gwee Thian Hock. Peter is also the co-author of The Straits Chinese House, published by the National Museum.

Presenting Portraiture Series:

Presenting Portraiture is a talk series conceived in conjunction with a two-part exhibition featuring portraits of Peranakan Chinese. The first part Dressing the Baba was held at NUS Baba House till 31 July 2013, whilst the current exhibition Inherited and Salvaged: Family Portraits from the Straits Chinese Collection runs 6 July 2014 at NUS Museum.

Peranakan portraits represent an emerging area of collecting interest and this series explores a range of themes, concepts and ideas surrounding the making, collecting and functions of such artworks, including artistic practice and studio processes; pictorial conventions; collecting patterns; and reflections of the social milieu.

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