Asia Art Collective

Search Our Site

Wu Tsai Yen 吴在炎 1911 2001

吴在炎

Wu Tsai Yen

吴在炎

Wu Tsai Yen

Wu Tsai Yen (b. 1911-2001) studied art at the Xinhua Academy of Fine Arts in Shanghai, China, from 1931 to 1933. His art teachers were renowned artists during his period in the academy. He then moved to Singapore in 1938 and switched from brush painting with Chinese ink to finger painting. This technique, given his expertise in Chinese ink art, helped him create art pieces close to that of brush-painted work, so much so that a non-specialist probably would not be able to tell the difference. Wu went on to master his finger painting skills for nearly 40 years and continued to make masterpieces with Chinese ink art through his finger painting technique. Eventually, he retired to a life of farming and attributed this to his unconditional love towards nature. He also found solace in Tai Chi, trimming bonsai and looking after his pets at home.

Finger painting is not foreign to the Chinese and is even regarded as a lost art in its rich history of culture, as the history of this technique dates back to the Tang Dynasty (BCE. 618-907). The art of finger painting depicts the intimate relationship shared between the canvas and the artist. Wu Tsai Yen does not just stop to capture the moment of his paintings that he models after; he pours his heart and soul into the process of birthing the painting. This is evident in the strokes, choice of colour, and outline of his models. 

Wu Tsai Yen does not just stop to capture the moment of his paintings that he models after; he pours his heart and soul into the process of birthing the painting.

Wu Tsai Yen does not just stop to capture the moment of his paintings that he models after; he pours his heart and soul into the process of birthing the painting.

It is refreshing to view the works of an artist who captures the inner beauty of his subjects and not just the outer layer; this adds on to him as a painter who is able to envision and attribute symbolic meanings to his paintings. The pine tree is an exemplary artwork that displays the luscious green needles, with the rich brown branches that support both the pines and the needles. His focus lies in capturing the essence of the Pine tree, using bright hues to bring forth the soul of the tree.

His artworks have been featured in an art exhibition in the Singapore Art Museum in 2004.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

LEAVE US A MESSAGE

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
About us

Asia Art Collective is an art advisory and consultancy specialised in Singaporean and Asian modern and contemporary art. Professional art services include providing clients with art advice on artwork purchase and sale, artwork valuation and assessment, art acquisition and collection planning, art sale and brokerage, as well as art commissioning and artwork sourcing. Asia Art Collective seeks to promote a culture of art appreciation and art acquisition and collection for Singapore art, and modern and contemporary Asian art through its diverse and rotating art exhibitions and art appreciation programmes, courses and talks. Enquire with Asia Art Collective for advice and support on your art-collecting journey.

亚洲艺汇有限公司(Asia Art Collective Pte Ltd )是新加坡专业的艺术品咨询顾问公司,公司的服务是为艺术收藏提供指导,制定策划购买艺术品方向,帮助藏家评估、分析艺术品市场价位、未来的市场走势。在选择艺术品方面,即要帮助藏家找到自己酷爱心怡的作品,同时也把艺术品列为藏家资产扩充的规划中,并且负责跟踪艺术品的买与卖。同时也提供新加坡艺术品量身定制服务

CURATOR 策展人
Iola Liu
92398226