Chua Boon Kee
BORN: 1953
HOMETOWN: SINGAPORE
LIVES AND WORKS: SINGAPORE
The sculptor Mr Chua Boon Kee was born in Singapore in 1953. He dedicated his life to becoming a full-time artist in 1996 and has since earned a reputation for his sculpture series inspired by ancient writings and symbols of power, strength and blessings.
Mr Chua graduated from the Baharuddin Vocational Institute in Applied Sculpture in 1973. His late teacher, Mr Tan Teng Kee, a well-known steel sculptor, was a great inspiration to him. Having worked at a shipyard during his younger days, he picked up the skills and technicalities of welding used in shipbuilding, which he applies to his present works. As an artist, he is always improving and evolving through his works. Over the years, he has experimented with various types of materials, such as wood, stone and resin, to create works that resonate with the Asian values and philosophies that he holds great passion for.
Since transitioning into a full-time sculptor, Mr Chua has participated in over 50 exhibitions, including the “One Singapore Artist 2007” and “Sentosa Flowers 2008” exhibitions. In 2007, he was recognised by the People’s Republic of China as an outstanding overseas Chinese artist and was invited to exhibit his renowned calligraphy series in Beijing. He was also the winner for the Chinatown Arts Space/Shatesbury SUSTAIN commission, the third landmark sculpture for London, for which he created the piece “Flowing”, unveiled on 18 September 2014. Committed to the local arts scene, Mr Chua is a member of the Singapore Sculpture Society, the Singapore Art Society, Federation of Art Societies Singapore, the Miao Hua Chinese Art Society and Singapore Penjing and Stone Appreciation Society.