Ngee Ann Artist of the Year 2020 : Poon Lian
Poon Lian was born in 1947 in Singapore with ancestral roots in Pho Leng, Teochew. As a child, Poon enjoyed doodling. He studied under renowned first-generation Chinese ink painter, Dr Chen Wen Hsi while studying in Chinese High School. Under Dr Chen’s guidance, he became interested in art and enrolled in Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), majoring in Western Painting. At NAFA, he trained with esteemed artists Georgette Chen and Chen Chong Swee while continuing his tutelage under Chen Wen Hsi after school. Poon graduated in 1969 and by then had become equally adept at both Chinese and Western painting, often incorporating both harmoniously into his works. While his oil paintings demonstrate his understanding of Eastern philosophies and concepts; his Chinese ink paintings showcase his grasp of Western painting techniques.
Poon is mindful not to conform to the traditional art forms and not to limit himself to a specific school of thought. Seeking individuality in his art, he strives to innovate and develop his style to reflect his wealth of ideas. He believes that art should demonstrate the truth and goodness of the world and wants his work to embody hope while vividly depicting the beauty of nature.
Even though he was passionate about artmaking, it was the call of adventure that led the enterprising Poon to venture into the print industry in 1973 and later the packaging business in Hebei, China, in the 1990s. Despite his busy schedule, he dedicated time to travel around the outskirts of Beijing in search of new subject matter to paint. He would visit art museums along the way, gaining insights and at the same time, exchange views with fellow artists and art critics. In 2003, at the age of 56, Poon retired from his business to devote himself to becoming a full-time artist.
Poon has spent more than five decades travelling to numerous countries in search of inspiration and to experience rich cultural diversity as well as the spectrum of unique landscapes. He has spent time in several provinces in China, Thailand, Cambodia, West and East Malaysia, Indonesia and Nepal, and elsewhere around the world.
Poon has also contributed significantly to the arts community in Singapore. In the 1970s, when NAFA was faced with financial constraints, he returned to his alma mater to teach Western painting. He worked tirelessly with his fellow alumni to raise funds for NAFA to help the institution ride out the storm, only leaving the institution in 1981 to focus on his printing business. In 1993, Poon served as Director of Nanyang Fine Arts Foundation Ltd and as a NAFA Board Member, two positions he held for 15 years until 2008.
Thereafter, he served as the secretary of Club NAFA. In 2017, at age 70, Poon stepped down from his roles at NAFA. He had dedicated more than 40 years of service to NAFA, as a teacher and in different capacities, in the decades of the Academy’s remarkable development and progress. He was also the President of The Society of Chinese Artists between 2002 to 2005.
Awards 曾获奖项
|
2006 |
Ink painting “Rhythm of the Fishing Village” Awarded Merit Prize for the National Teochew Artists Chinese Brush Painting Competition 2006”, Ngee Ann Cultural Centre, Singapore 彩墨画《渔乡之歌》获新加坡義安文化中心颁发“全国潮人彩墨画比赛2006”优秀奖。 |
|
2001 |
Ink painting “Euphony” awarded First Prize for the Dr Tan Tsze Chor Art Award, Singapore 彩墨画《佳音》获新加坡陈之初博士美术奖首奖 |
|
1998 |
Ink painting “Prayer” selected for the first “World Chinese Calligraphy and Art Exhibition” in Beijing, China 彩墨画《寄语奔涛》入选中国北京首届“世界华人书画展” |
Solo Exhibitions 个展
|
2015 |
“Encounters: Poon Lian, 50 years of art”, NAFA Galleries 1 & 2, Singapore “方良缘艺五十”，新加坡南洋艺术学院展厅一与二 |
|
2013 |
“Art Away From Home”, Nanman Art Gallery, Singapore “艺走他乡”，新加坡南蛮艺苑 |
|
2010 |
“Rebel in Arcadia”, NAFA Lim Hak Tai Gallery, Singapore “艺境出走”，新加坡南洋艺术学院林学大展览厅 |
|
2007 |
“Artistic Odyssey”, NAFA Gallery 3, Singapore “意象追踪”，新加坡南洋艺术学院第三展览厅 |
Group Exhibition 联展
|
2019 |
Hwa Chong Distinguished Artists Centennial Collection Exhibition, Hwa Chong Cultural Centre Arts Exhibition Hall 华中世纪名家珍藏展，华中文化中心艺术展览馆 |
|
2018 |
Ngee Ann National Day Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition 2018, Ngee Ann Cultural Centre，Singapore 義安国庆书画美展2018，新加坡義安文化中心 |
|
2017 |
“Affinity Xinjiang” Works by NAFA Alumni, Chinese Cultural Centre |
|
2014 |
“Reflection in Nanyang” Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Galleries 1 & 2 and Lim Hak Tai Gallery, Singapore “随心索艺”，新加坡南洋艺术学院展厅一、二及林学大展览厅 |
|
2012 |
“An Agile Beauty”, Yu Lin Art Gallery, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia “淳风新韵”，马来西亚砂拉越古晋峪霖艺术馆 |
|
|
“Beauty Unbound”, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Lim Hak Tai Gallery, Singapore “淳风新韵”，新加坡南洋艺术学院林学大展览厅 |
|
2011 |
“Stepping Forward: Nanyang Today”, Wisma Kebudayaan SGM, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia “南洋新貌”，马来西亚吉隆坡SGM综合文化中心 |
|
2010 |
“MIA International Art Exhibition”, Seng Peng Hall, Wisma Chinese Chamber of Commerce And Industry of Kuala Lumpur & Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. “MIA国际艺术邀请展”，马来西亚雪隆中华总商会成枫堂 |
|
2009 |
“Landmarks, Taipei”, Black Earth Art Museum, Singapore “台北归来”，新加坡黑土地美术馆 |
|
2008 |
“NAFA 70 Years After”, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Galleries 1 & 2, Singapore 南艺70周年美展，新加坡南洋艺术学院展厅一与二 |
|
|
“Asia In Focus”, MH Art Galleries, Taipei, Taiwan “亚洲聚情”，台北美和画廊 |
|
2005 |
“Soaring to New Frontiers”, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Gallery, Singapore “腾飞美展”，新加坡南洋艺术学院画廊 |
|
2003 |
“President’s Challenge Charity Art Exhibition”, Singapore “总统挑战慈善義战”，新加坡 |
|
2002 |
“Äbstract ‘02”, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Gallery, Singapore 中华美术研究会专题美展“抽象02”，新加坡南洋艺术学院画廊 |
|
|
The Calligraphy and Painting of China, Ngee Ann Cultural Centre, Singapore “丹青中国”新加坡。中国书画艺术展 ，新加坡義安文化中心 |
|
|
“Evolution – Ink and Colour”, The Substation, Singapore “情韵创意”画展，新加坡电力站 |
|
|
2nd Malaysia-Singapore Ink Painting Exhibition 第二届马来西亚、新加坡水墨画联展 |