THE National Art Gallery presents “Malaysia, My Inspiration”, an artistic tribute to the late Father of Modern Malaysian Batik, Datuk Chuah Thean Teng, from Dec 19 to Feb 28.

(From left) Tay Mo-Leong, Chuah and Khalil Ibrahim at their joint exhibition in the National Art Gallery in 2004.

Datuk Chuah Thean Teng.

Chuah, a passionate artist who put Malaysian batik on the world map, died on Nov 25 at his residence-cum-art-gallery Yahong Gallery in Batu Feringghi, George Town, Penang at the age of 96.

Better known as Teng, the artist attained worldwide fame in the 1950s when he single-handedly transformed Malaysian batik into a new form of modern fine art.

Born in Fujian, China in 1912, he arrived in Malaya at 18 years old and settled in George Town, where he dabbled in many trades — as a secretary, clerk, peddler and umbrella-maker — before becoming a visual artist.

He founded the Penang Art Studio in 1960 with fellow aritists Kuo Ju Ping and Tan Choon Ghee, and the trio became prominent art teachers in Penang and beyond.
In 1955, the Penang Arts Council unveiled Chuah’s first solo exhibition at the Penang Library.

In 1965, Chuah had his first major solo exhibition in Kuala Lumpur at the National Art Gallery and his work “Two of A Kind” was selected by the United Nations’ Children’s Education Fund (Unicef) to be printed on greeting cards three years later.

In 1977, his works were displayed in Britain’s Commonwealth Artists of Fame exhibition to mark the silver jubilee celebrations of Queen Elzabeth II’s coronation.

Chuah focused on village life as his subject matter and was influenced by European artists Pablo Picasso and Paul Gauguin.

His famous art works include “Two of A Kind” (1967), “Malayan Life” (1941) and “Tell You A Secret” (1988).

Among the well-known batik artists who were guided and inspired by Chuah are Tay Mo-Leong, Lee Kian Seng, Lim Khoon Hock, Fatimah Chik, Koay Soo Kau and Ahmad Fauzi Arshad.

Chuah is survived by three sons, established artists Chuah Siew Teng, Chuah Seow Keng and Choy Siew Kek, and daughters Eva Chuah Geh and Chuah Geh Bee.

The two-month exhibition is a journey down memory lane for fans of Malaysian batik, as much as a tribute to the iconic Penangite who modernised it.

Most of Chuah’s works are featured in the exhibition which also shares with Malaysians his inspiring life journey, his perfectionism and his passion to make Malaysian batik, and visual art in general, world class.

The gallery is located in Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur. It opens daily from 10am to 6pm (except public holidays). Call 03-4026-7000.