Mr. Eng Siak Loy's artistic career has spanned over five successful decades. During this time, the multi-faceted artist has played many significant roles, and has demonstrated his skill by always bringing the best out of his subject matter, regardless of the platform or material used.
He is fluent in almost any medium, including charcoal, watercolour, acrylic, and oil. And his use of bold and impressionistic strokes brings movement and life to his paintings, evoking a profound sense of aesthetics and emotions that is distinctly his own. The subjects he paints are scenes that he holds close to his heart – Singapore history, culture, overseas environments, and nature.
The artist is also Singapore's most experienced stamp artist, having created at least 60 sets of stamps for the nation – including stamps commemorating the 25th ECAFE Plenary Session (held in 1969), the 150th Anniversary of Singapore 1819-1969 special commemorative stamps, the Opening of Gardens by the Bay stamp series, the 150th anniversary of Singapore Botanic Gardens stamp series, the Singapore Botanic Gardens UNESCO World Heritage Site commemorative stamp series, and his multiple award-winning HSBC Care-for-Nature Heritage Trees Stamp series.
As an environmental artist, Mr Eng created huge three dimensional iconic works like the Singapore Botanic Gardens' main gate, the five swan sculptures at the swan lake, historic murals at Fort Canning Park, the metallic Kingfishers and ants at the Gardens by the Bay to name a few.
In 1999, Mr. Eng was the first Singaporean to work on the entire Portrait Series of currency notes. He created these notes that showcase the vision of our growing nation, inspiring Singaporeans nationwide. He had also worked on the commemorative notes.
Mr. Eng's artistic endeavours have been recognised both nationally and internationally, with notable awards including the UNESCO NOMA Illustrations Award, the UNESCO NOMA Special Award, the "Most Beautiful stamp in Asia" and "Second Most Beautiful Stamp in the World" awards, the Tan Tsze Chor Art Special Awards, and the Ngee Ann Artist of the Year.
In recognition of his lifetime of artistic accomplishments, Mr. Eng was conferred the prestigious President's Design Award, Designer of the Year, in 2007. The jury's citation read, "In an age where we are inundated with digital design, it is very inspiring to see that the Art and Craft tradition is still alive and thriving in Singapore, through the versatile public design works of this Grand Master."
This exhibition showcases 30 pieces of his recent works.