Lee Kim Guan
BORN: 1948
HOMETOWN: SINGAPORE
Lee Kim Guan (b. 1948-2011) employs the “Shui-mo”, or “Xie-yi” style of Chinese painting, which basically translates to the freehand style, distinguished by spontaneous and dynamic strokes of the paintbrush; this utilises the fluid and unpredictable nature of the ink medium. This is the school of Chinese painting that is in contrast to the more detail-orientated “Gong-bi” style. We can certainly feel a sense of liberation from looking at Lee’s paintings, which can range from Chinese Ink on rice paper to acrylics on canvas. His acrylic works are a very contemporary voice to a traditional art form, namely the art of calligraphy which has typically been used as ink on rice paper for centuries. Lee offers a revolutionary, fresh breath of modernism in works such as “Happy”, “Seaside”, “Peace Happiness” and more. These paintings are bold, statement pieces bound to catch the eye of any unsuspecting onlooker. Even his more traditional paintings, such as “Best Wishes” and “Luck” have that same air of confidence emanating from his unbridled artistic spirit.