Ngee Ann Artist of the Year 2025: Chua Boon Kee

Biography of Ngee Ann Artist of the Year 2025: Chua Boon Kee

Chua Boon Kee, born in Singapore in 1953 with ancestral roots in Chaoyang, Guangdong, graduated in Applied Sculpture from the Baharuddin Vocational Institute, Singapore, in 1973.

During his studies, he trained under the late Mr. Tan Teng Kee, a renowned Singaporean steel sculptor, who encouraged him to pursue an open and unrestricted artistic path. After National Service, Mr Chua worked in a shipyard where he gained expertise in welding, structural physics, and steel construction. He later co-founded a hydraulics engineering company, and his two decades of problem-solving and technical design experience laid a strong foundation for his sculptural practice.

In 1996, Mr Chua committed himself to sculpture full-time and has actively exhibited since 2000. His artistic journey explores how Chinese culture and philosophy can be expressed through modern sculptural language, resulting in a range of distinctive series. Among them, his signature Chinese Calligraphy Sculpture Series transforms the energy and rhythm of calligraphic strokes into three-dimensional forms. He has also developed the 3D Chinese Ink Sculpture Series, which captures the spirit of ink painting in sculptural space, as well as Sprout Sculpture Series, reflecting his ongoing search for new ways to express vitality, rhythm, and cultural resonance.

Chua’s artistic achievements have been widely recognised. In 2007, he was invited by China’s Ministry of Culture to exhibit in the 2nd China International Artistic Works Investment & Collections Exposition in Beijing, where he was honoured as an Outstanding Overseas Chinese Artist. In 2012, his work “Flowing” (饮水思源) won the SUSTAIN public art commission in London and was permanently installed in Chinatown as the third landmark sculpture there. In 2020, his 30-metre sculpture “Rising Sun over the Shushui River” (沭水之阳) was installed at the Yihe Bridge entrance in Shuyang County, Jiangsu Province, becoming a major city landmark.

Beyond his personal practice, Chua has actively contributed to Singapore’s sculpture community through knowledge sharing. He introduced the use of epoxy mortar — previously an industrial material — as a versatile sculptural medium, and has shared its applications with interested artists and students. For decades, he assisted fellow artists in fabricating large-scale commissioned works, personally guiding them through processes in overseas foundries, sharing contacts and production know-hows to help them gain independence. In recent years, Mr Chua has shifted his focus towards developing his own personal and large-scale works, continuing to contribute to the field through his creative practice.

He supports the local arts ecosystem through regular participation in group exhibitions with societies and organisations, donations of artworks to the National Gallery Singapore, and a series of recorded oral history interviews with the National Archives of Singapore (NHB) that preserve his childhood, creative journey, and artistic philosophy. He also served as President of the Sculpture Society (Singapore) from 2019 to 2023, offering guidance and advice in support of the society’s activities.

EXPERIENCE

1973	Graduated from Baharuddin Vocational Institute with a Diploma in Applied Sculpture
1976-1995	Worked in industrial and maritime engineering projects
1989-1995	Worked Part-time in Sculpture Projects (Artist and Technician)
1996	Became a full-time sculptor
2000-Present	Undertakes commissioned sculptural works
2001-2006	Conducted sculpture lessons under the Schools’ Art Education Programme (selected schools: Siglap Secondary School, Bishan Park Secondary School, Henderson Secondary School, Bedok Green Secondary School, Fuhua Secondary School, CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’ School, Dunman High School, and Rosyth School)

MEMBERSHIPS

1998-Present	Singapore Art Society
2002-Present	Sculpture Society (Singapore) — President (2019 – 2023)
2003-Present	Singapore Miao Hua Chinese Art Society
2006-Present	Federation of Art Societies Singapore
2007-Present	Singapore Penjing & Stone Appreciation Society

NOTABLE AWARDS

1990	Sentosa Flower Terrace Sculpture Competition — Winner, Singapore “Twisted Tubes”
2000	“Trash and Revival”: Second Karong Guni Art Exhibition by Federation of Art Societies (Singapore) — Third Prize, Singapore “A Fine Day After Rain” 《雨过天晴》
2003	CDL Singapore Sculpture Award — Merit Award (1st Runner-up), Judges’ Choice by City Developments Limited, Singapore “Feng Shui” 《风水》
2012	SUSTAIN Project — Winner, 3rd Landmark Sculpture for London’s Chinatown by Chinatown Arts Space (CAS), London, UK “Flowing” 《饮水思源》
2020	Patron of the Arts Awards 2020 by National Arts Council, Singapore — Friends of the Arts Award
2025	The 27^th Ngee Ann National Teochew Artists’ Exhibition by Ngee Ann Cultural Centre, Singapore — Ngee Ann Artist of the Year 2025

NOTABLE COMMISSIONED WORKS (SINGAPORE)

2007	“Men of Respect” commissioned by MINDEF, Singapore Environmental Sculpture Location: Infantry Training Institute (ITI)
2010	“Vigour” commissioned by Ascendas, Singapore Environmental Sculpture Location: ICON at International Business Park
2010	“Build A Rainbow” 《造一道彩虹》 70^thFounders’ Day Project commissioned by Ngee Ann Primary School “Onward in Unity” （团结前进）: Environmental Sculpture depicting school motto Location: Ngee Ann Primary School
2012	“Happy Family of Five” donated by Keppel Corporation Environmental Sculpture Location: Esplanade, Theatres on the Bay
2016	“The Flowerage of Prismatic Vibrancy Dancing to the Tune of the Wind” commissioned by CH Residential Pte. Ltd. Environmental Sculpture (with Kinetic Elements) Location: Cairnhill Nine Condominium
2016	“Water” 《水》 commissioned by CH Commercial Private Limited Environmental Sculpture (Chinese Calligraphy Sculpture Series) Location: Ascott Orchard
2016	“Dragon, Phoenix, Bat” commissioned by Nanyang Pho Leng Hui Kwan Environmental Sculpture (Relief Mural) Location: Nanyang Pho Leng Hui Kuan
2018	“Sprout” 《苗》 commissioned by Prominent Site Pte Ltd and Prominent Plaza Investments Pte Ltd Environmental Sculpture (Sprout Sculpture Series) Location: ARC 380
2024	《望》 commissioned by Dragon Peak II Pte Ltd (in collaboration with TE Capital Partners Pte. Ltd) Environmental Sculpture (Chinese Calligraphy Sculpture Series) Location: Visioncrest Orchard

NOTABLE COMMISSIONED WORKS (OVERSEAS)

2012

“Science & Technology” 《科技》 commissioned by Xiamen Science and Technology Middle School

Environmental Sculpture (Chinese Calligraphy Sculpture Series)

Location: Xiamen Science and Technology Middle School, Xiamen, China

2014

“Flowing” 《饮水思源》 commissioned by Shaftesbury Plc and organised by Chinese Arts Space (CAS)

Winner of the SUSTAIN Project — 3rd Landmark Sculpture for London’s Chinatown

Environmental Sculpture (Chinese Calligraphy Sculpture Series)

Location: Chinatown, 124 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, UK

2020

“Rising Sun over the Shushui River”《沭水之阳》 landmark sculpture in collaboration with Shengjiang (Xiamen) Group

Environmental Sculpture (Chinese Calligraphy Sculpture Series)

Location: Shuyang County, Jiangsu Province, China

SELECTIVE SOLO EXHIBITIONS (SINGAPORE)

2004	“To Catch the Wind” — showcasing Chinese Calligraphy Sculptures by Chua Boon Kee @ Utterly Art Exhibition Space, 5^th– 16^th May Organised by: Utterly Art
2007	“One Singapore Artist 2007” — featuring Chua Boon Kee @ Sculpture Square, Chapel Gallery, 12^th February – 11^th March Organised by: Sculpture Square Limited Supported by: National Arts Council (NAC), Singapore
2008	“Sentosa Flowers 2008” — featuring sculptures by Chua Boon Kee as part of the event @ Imbiah Lookout, Sentosa, 7^th– 17^th February Supported by: Sentosa Leisure Group
2012-2013	“In the Affair of Cats & Dogs, the Government’s involved and So Shall We” 《猫狗的事，政府管了，我们也管》 @ Esplanade, Concourse, 11^th October 2012 – 1^st January 2013 Organised by: Esplanade, Theatres on the Bay
2014	“Gallop to Great Distance” 《驰骋万里》 @ Esplanade, Concourse, 4^th July – 28^th September Organised by: Esplanade, Theatres on the Bay
2018	“To have a Home” 《想有个家》 @ Esplanade, Concourse, 14^th July – 11^th November Organised by: Esplanade, Theatres on the Bay

SELECTIVE SOLO EXHIBITIONS (OVERSEAS)

2011	“A Solo Tour — Small Sculptures by Chua Boon Kee (Calligraphy Series)” @ Shanghai Arts and Crafts Association, Shanghai, 25^th – 30^th October @ BenQ International Sculpture Workshop, Hsinchu, Taiwan, 16^th – 30^th November

SELECTIVE GROUP EXHIBITIONS (SINGAPORE)

2003	“3^rd Singapore & Malaysia Chinese Art Exchange Exhibition 2003” @ Ngee Ann Cultural Centre Organised by: Miao Hua Chinese Art Society, Singapore, and Chinese Painting Society, Malaysia
2003	“CDL Singapore Sculpture Award Exhibition” @ Singapore Art Museum, 12^th June – 3^rd July @ LOT 1 Shoppers’ Mall, 5^th – 13^th July @ CDL Customer Centre, 15^th – 30^th July Organised by: City Developments Limited Supported by: National Arts Council (NAC), Singapore
2004-2006	“Ngee Ann 3D Art Exhibition” @ Ngee Ann Cultural Centre
2004	“The Hopea Sangal Tree” @ Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and Singapore Zoological Garden Organised by: Sculpture Society (Singapore) Co-organised by: National Parks Board & Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts
2006, 2008, 2010-2011, 2014, 2019-Present	Sculpture Society (Singapore) Annual Show Organised by: Sculpture Society (Singapore)
2008	“Singapore · Malaysia · China · Indonesia Chinese Art Exchange Exhibition 2008” @ Ngee Ann Cultural Centre, 17^th – 19^th September Organised by: Miao Hua Chinese Art Society Singapore
2007, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2023	Wood Sculpture Symposium Organised by: Sculpture Society (Singapore)
2017-2018	“80by80” @ Esplanade, Tunnel (link to MRT), 13^th October 2017 – 3^rd January 2018 Organised by: Esplanade, Theatres on the Bay
2021	“reTHINGing Materiality – Contemporary Sculpture” — Sculpture Society (Singapore) 20^th Anniversary Show 2021 @ Lim Hak Tai Gallery, NAFA, 16^th July – 22^nd August Organised by: Sculpture Society (Singapore); Co-Organised by: NAFA Supported by: National Arts Council, stART FUND (Pierre and Bolor Lorinet)
2023	“Baharuddin Alumni Art Exhibition 2023” @ 55 Artspace, 26^th October – 5^th November Organised by: Baharuddin Alumni
2024-2025	Ngee Ann National Teochew Artists’ Exhibition Organised by: Ngee Ann Cultural Centre

GROUP EXHIBITIONS (OVERSEAS)

2007	“2nd China International Artistic Works Investment & Collection Exposition 2007” @ Beijing Exhibition Center, Beijing, 22^nd – 26^th November Organised by: Ministry of Culture, Beijing Sculptor Supported and Granted by: Metakaos Pte Ltd (Singapore) and National Arts Council (NAC), Singapore
2008	“Chinese Character Biennale” @ KU Art Center Artist Creating Base and Chinese Character Base, Beijing, 2^nd August – 2^nd September Planned by: Chinese Character Base, Beijing; Hosted by: KU Art Center, Beijing Sculptor Supported and Granted by: National Arts Council (NAC), Singapore
2010	“A Style of Their Own” — Group Exhibition of Contemporary Chinese Art @ Beijing Central Art Gallery, Beijing, 10^th September – 10^th October Organised by: Beijing Central Art Gallery, Beijing
2017	“The Perspective of Epitome” — 2017 Taiwan International Miniature Sculpture Exhibition @ National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Bo-ai Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan, 9^th – 22^nd August Organised by: National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall and The Sculpture Association of Taiwan
2018	“Of Human Heritage” @ Art Spice Gallery, The Metropolitan Hotel, New Delhi, India, 3^rd – 9^th February Organised by: Sculpture Society (Singapore) and Art Spice Gallery (India)