National Art Gallery, Singapore Mounts First Survey Show of Ten Men Group Leader

The Story of Yeh Chi Wei

27 May – 12 September 2010

Considered one of Singapore’s most influential mentor, teacher and innovator, Yeh Chi Wei was a well-respected art educator and leader in the Singapore art scene in the mid-20th century. The leader of the significant Ten Men Group, Yeh left a monumental mark on Singapore’s fledgling art scene To commemorate Yeh’s artistic achievements and the donation of four significant works by the Yeh family, the National Art Gallery, Singapore is proud to present The Story of Yeh Chi Wei, the first survey show of his works since his demise in 1981.

2                Yeh led the Ten Men Group, comprising prominent artists such as Choo Keng Kwang and Lim Tze Peng, on painting expeditions to Southeast Asian and Asian countries in the 1960s and 1970s. He was a great source of inspiration and encouragement to many artists, and was widely considered to be a true Singapore artist. Yeh drew inspiration from a wide range of cultural sources, such as ancient Chinese rubbings, carvings and Javanese batik. He created highly distinctive oil paintings - works that bear witness to a powerful interweaving of Asian and Western art histories, diverse cultural sources and travels around Southeast Asia.

3                This exhibition of Yeh’s works is the first survey show after his only solo exhibition in 1969, and will showcase his artistic achievements and contributions to Singapore, as well as his celebration of Southeast Asia through his art. It is part of the National Art Gallery’s series of research exhibitions on Southeast Asian and Singaporean art.

4                Continuing on the trail blazed by the Realism in Asian Art exhibition, The Story of Yeh Chi Wei presents many new ways of engaging audiences through novel immersive and interactive elements. For this exhibition, the Gallery will incorporate a Creative Play Corner to encourage children to engage in and experience art through a variety of activities and games related to the show. An exhibition mascot named “Hopper” will be introduced to make art more fun and exciting, while a special micro-site will be launched featuring games and learning activities. A special conservation section will also be introduced. This component showcases the value chain of art - from the point of conservation of a single artwork to its eventual display in a museum.

5                Says Director of the National Art Gallery, Singapore, Mr Kwok Kian Chow, “Yeh Chi Wei may not be as well-known today as some of his contemporaries, yet his influence both as a teacher and artist remained strong. Here at the National Art Gallery, we make it a point to celebrate these lesser-known heroes alongside the more well-known artists, and showcase the range and depth of Singapore’s rich artistic heritage. This exhibition merely offers a small prelude to what  visitors can expect in our future Singapore gallery. We deeply acknowledge and thank the Yeh family for their generous donation of four of Yeh Chi Wei’s key works to the National Collection, and for working with us so closely to make this exhibition possible.”

6                Says Yeh Chi Wei’s grand-daughter, Ms Jacey Yeh, “This exhibition bears special significance for my family. It represents the fulfillment of a dream that these works by my late grandfather, Yeh Chi Wei, are brought to the forefront, and his contributions to the visual art scene highlighted. On behalf of the family, we would like to thank the staff of The National Art Gallery for helping us realize this exhibition. We hope that through such a showcase, the story of Yeh Chi Wei, his works and his enduring legacy will live on for many more years to come.”

The Story of Yeh Chi Wei

A research exhibition by the National Art Gallery, Singapore

Galleries 2.1 – 2.4, Singapore Art Museum

28 May – 12 September 2010