Unfettered Ink: The Writings of Chen Chong Swee

Significant achievements in art notwithstanding, Chen Chong Swee was also a prolific, vivid essayist. His writings—collated here and also translated into English for the first time—range from the value of art education to the responsibilities of the art community, and are imbued with ardour and vigorous clarity. This compilation provides a compelling contribution to our understanding of the artist as a man of unwavering focus, whose thoughts cleaved to the advancement of art.

Publisher: National Gallery Singapore
Author Biography: Low Sze Wee is presently Director of Curatorial, Collections and Education at National Gallery Singapore. Initially trained as a lawyer, Low later graduated with a Masters in History of Art from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. In 2007, he was awarded the National Heritage Board (NHB) Research Award for his contribution to scholarship on Singapore and Southeast Asian art history. Three of his exhibitions Convergences—Chen Wen Hsi Centennial Exhibition, The Big Picture Show (co-curated with Ong Zhen Min) and Xu Beihong in Nanyang (co-curated with Chow Yian Ping) have garnered NHB Exhibition Awards in 2007, 2008 and 2009 respectively. In 2013, Low was the first Singaporean to be named a fellow of the prestigious Clore Leadership Programme.
Language: English and Chinese
Country of Origin: Singapore
Page count: 252
Binding: Paperback
Search words: Chen Chong Swee, essays, art, art education, Chinese ink, ink painting