Siew Hock Meng | 萧学民


1942 - 









Siew Hock Meng (b. 1942) is a prominent Singaporean artist highly regarded for his masterful realism in portraiture and figurative painting. Trained at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, he developed a strong foundation in drawing and painting, which he later refined with influences from European academic traditions. His works are particularly noted for their technical precision, subtle use of light and shadow, and sensitive portrayal of human character, often capturing the dignity and inner life of his sitters. Siew’s portraits range from everyday people to prominent figures, each rendered with a deep sense of observation and empathy. Over the decades, he has exhibited widely and received recognition for his contribution to Singapore’s art scene, earning awards such as the prestigious UOB Painting of the Year in 1982. His commitment to realism, at a time when many turned towards abstraction, distinguishes him as an important figure in Singapore’s art history, preserving the value of technical mastery and human expression.









Timeline





1942                                Born in Malaysia

1960 - 1961                      Graduated from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (南洋美术专科学校)

1976                                10 Local Artists, Grace Art Gallery, Singapore

1979                                3 Singaporean Artists, Hong Kong Auditorium, Hong Kong

 1980                                Apollo Art Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan

1982                                Apollo Art Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan

1984                                Apollo Art Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan

1986                                Avant Garde Art Gallery, Tai Chung, Taiwan

1987                                Long Chuan Art Gallery, Xaoshiung, Taiwan
                                       Three - Man Exhibition, Indonesia Art Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia
1988                                Apollo Art Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan

1989                                20 Singapore Artists for New York Art Expo Exhibition, Jacob K. Javits Convention Centre, New York, U.S.A


2004                                1st Solo Art Exhibition, “Paintings/Tellings”, Art Retreat, Singapore
                                        The Art of Siew Hock Meng’s, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China

2008                                Ministry of Communications & Information, Singapore
                                        Patent Granted for the invention of the perspective ruler

2010                                 Taiwan National Gallery

2011                                Hai Hui Art Gallery, Singapore

2012                                “Enchanting Taiwan”, Taipei, Kaohsiung, Hsinchu, Culture Centre

2014                                Artcommune Gallery Pte. Ltd, Singapore
                                       Hai Hui Art Gallery, Singapore
                                       Authored “The Visual Language of Painting - the Key to Human Civilisation”


Award

1977                                National Day Medal for Fine Arts, Singapore

1981                                Award for Visual Arts Creation, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Alumni Association, Singapore

1984                                Award for Visual Arts Creation, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Alumni Association, Singapore


PRIVATE & PUBLIC COLLECTIONS

National Museum, Singapore






Selected Work







Hope ( 希望 )
Oil on Canvas
60 cm x 80 cm



Drummer ( 鼓手 )
2005
Oil on Canvas
91 cm x 72 cm
Cloves ( 丁香 )
Pastel



Samurai Trio ( 三武士 )
2013
Oil on Canvas
130 cm x 100 cm





Resting on a Bamboo Chair ( 竹椅 )
2012
Oil on Canvas
82 cm x 122 cm

Cloves( 丁香 )
2007
Oil on Canvas
140 cm x 210 cm
The Pond (荷塘)
2019
Oil Painting
60 cm x 80 cm




Solo (个人音乐会)
2010
Oil Painting
115 cm x 104 cm
Morning Shower (晨洗)
2010
Oil Painting
91 cm x 72 cm
Striped Rug (虎纹毯)
2008 
Oil Painting
122 cm x 81 cm
Facing the Mirror (镜前)
2019
Oil Painting
80 cm x 60 cm




Before Mirror (镜前)
2019
Oil Painting
80 cm x 60 cm

With the Hand Mirror (持镜)
2019
Oil Painting
80 cm x 60 cm
Late Bloom (老树开花)
2013
Oil Painting
150 cm x 100 cm
Brook ( 小溪 )
2008
Oil on Canvas
132 cm x 92 cm






Whispering Flute ( 呢喃的笛声 )
2007
Pastel on Cardboard
140 cm x 210 cm

What did he tell you? (他向你说了什么?)
2010
Oil Painting
72 cm x 91 cm
Resting ( 她的休息 )
2009
Oil on Canvas
72 cm x 91 cm
In Quiet Confidence (安然的自信)
2004
Oil Painting
49 cm x 65 cm





Foot Trails ( 足迹 )
2010
Oil on Canvas
100 cm x 150 cm
Still Life ( 静物 )
2006
Oil on Canvas
41 cm x 51 cm
Still Life ( 静物 )
2006
Oil on Canvas
41 cm x 51 cm
Stunning Beauty (惊艳)
2014
Oil Painting
82 cm x 122 cm





Temple Entrance ( 寺庙入口 )
Water Color Painting
37 cm x 56 cm


Singapore River ( 新加坡河 )
Water Color Painting
37 cm x 56 cm


Singapore River ( 新加坡河 )
Water Color Painting
37 cm x 56 cm



Water Color Painting
37 cm x 56 cm





Charm of Nanyang ( 南洋风情 )
Water Color Painting
37 cm x 56 cm


Singapore River ( 新加坡河 )
Water Color Painting
37 cm x 56 cm


Singapore River ( 新加坡河 )
Water Color Painting
28 cm x 38 cm
Balinese Lady ( 巴厘岛妇女 )
Water Color Painting
38 cm x 28 cm





Exhibition












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Singapore 179083