Nai Swee Leng’s important foundational years in the arts was spent learning under the late Mr Fan Chang Tien, a master who belongs to the lineage of the Shanghai School of Xieyi Painting. He has not only mastered the use of the Chinese brush and ink in his works, but he is also proficient in the Lingnan style of Chinese art. Nai Swee Leng has perfected his art through more than forty years of hard work. With his own unique artistic language, he is one of the pioneers who brought the Shanghai style of painting abroad.
Nai Swee Leng is well known for hisChinese ink paintings of Nanyang themes, such as coconut trees, bamboos, tropical birds, fowls and flowers. He paints with intriguing free-hand brush strokes and presents a sense of life in his paintings. The tasteful depth and tranquility embodies the traditional authenticity in Swee Leng’s artworks. An example would be his 《修竹丛兰流水图》a grand and refined artwork that displays his unique art-style and mastery.
Nai Swee Leng has devoted much of his time and effort into his art and used it as a means to promote the Chinese culture to an international audience.
Written by Dr Ho Kah Leong
Former Principal at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA)
Melody of a Joyous Morning
Ink on rice paper
69x69cm
2016