Tan Choh Tee | 陈楚智


1942 - 











Tan Choh Tee is a highly respected Singaporean artist, celebrated for his exceptional skill in traditional Chinese ink painting and his deep understanding of classical Chinese art forms. Over the decades, he has become known for his evocative landscapes, intricate figure studies, and elegant calligraphy, all of which showcase his meticulous technique and refined aesthetic sensibilities. His work often bridges the past and present, blending traditional methods with contemporary interpretations that reflect Singapore’s cultural identity. Beyond his own practice, Tan Choh Tee has made a lasting impact as an educator, mentoring generations of young artists and helping to cultivate Singapore’s art scene. His dedication to art extends to exhibitions, competitions, and contributions to local art societies, solidifying his role as both a practitioner and a custodian of Singapore’s artistic heritage. Through his paintings, he conveys a sense of serenity and depth, inviting viewers to engage with both the visual beauty and the philosophical underpinnings of his work.






Timeline






        1942                               Born in Swatou, People’s Republic of China

1958 - 1962                     Graduated from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (南洋美术专科学校)

1963 - 1976                    Book Designer, McGraw Hill Far East

1973                                Study tour to Japan

1975                               Study tour to People’s Republic of China & Vietnam

1976                               Professional Artist

1980                               Conducted study tour to major museums in Europe

1984 -1987                      Art lecturer at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (南洋美术专科学校)

1988                               Conducted study tour of Dun Huang Will Murals
                                      Research Fellow of Beijing of Central Academy of Fine Arts in Masterclass Oil   Painting

1992                               Conducted study tour of major museums in USA


1998                               Admitted to French Artists’ Colony - Cite Internationale des Art 
                                      Conducted study tour of major museums in Paris


SOLO EXHIBITIONS

1972                               “Landscapes” @ Alpha Gallery, Singapore

1976                               ”Recent Paintings” @ Raya Gallery, Singapore

1979                               “The Vanishing Scenes” @ UIC Gallery, Singapore
                                      “Art in Action” @ The National Museum, Singapore

1982                               One-Man Art Exhibition @ Apollo Art Gallery, Taipei 

1984                               One-Man Art Exhibition @ Avant Garde Art Centre, Taipei 
                                      “Nostalgia” @ The British Council, Singapore

1998                               One-Man Art Exhibition @ Apollo Art Gallery, Taipei 

1999                               “Footprints” @ Orchard Point Exhibition Hall, Singapore


SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

1961                                Local Artists’ Cultural Festival @ Victoria Memorial Hall, Singapore

1965 - 1970                     Ten-Men Art Exhibition, Singapore

1972                               Four-Men Art Exhibition, Singapore
                                      Indian Tour Art Exhibition, Singapore
                                      South East Asia Art Society Exhibition, Singapore
                                      Five-Men Art Exhibition - Singapore Landscapes
1976                               Singapore Artists’ Art Exhibition, Philippines

1977                               Six-Men Art Exhibition, Singapore
                                      The Royal Overseas League Art Exhibition, London

1978                               Cologne Exhibition at Klockner-Humboldt, Deutz A.G. Museum, Germany
                                      Singapore Artists’ Art Exhibition in Moscow, Soviet Union
                                      3 Singapore Artists’ Art Exhibition by Hong Kong Urban Council, Hong Kong

1980                               5th Festival of Asian Arts - Contemporary Singapore Paintings, Hong Kong

1981 - 1985                    ASEAN Travelling Exhibition of Visual Arts

1982                              Niki Artist Association Annual Art Exhibition, Osaka

1986                              International Art Exhibition @ Matto-shi, Ishikawa-ken

1987                              Exhibition of 3 Singapore Artists at Ginza, Tokyo

1989                              1st SIN-BRUN Art Exhibition, Brunei / Singapore

1990                              2nd SIN-BRUN Art Exhibition, Brunei / Singapore

1991                               “Small is Beautiful-II” @ Edwin’s Gallery, Jakarta

1992                              “The Charm of Flowers” @ Edwin’s Gallery, Jakarta

1993                              12th International Art Inter-Exchange Exhibition, Taiwan

1996                              Nanyang Art 20 Years’ Retro spective, Singapore
                                     Taipei Art Fair, Taiwan

1998                              Art Exhibition @ Gallery Veronese, Paris

2000                             Singapore Artists’ Excerpt 2000 @ Soobin Art Gallery, Singapore
                                     Art Exhibition @ The King’s Road Gallery, London 

2003                             “All Asia Beauties”, Bangkok

2004                             New Expression of Asian Art Exhibition, Taiwan
                                     Singapore - Korea Exchange Art Exhibition, Singapore

2005                             Tsunami Art 2005 - Phuket, Thailand

2006                             The 14 Singapore Artists Art Exhibition @ Siam Art Museum, Thailand

2007                             The Shanghai Art Fair, China
                                    “Imagining The City” @ Singapore Art Museum

1962                              Highly Commended Award, “Our Singapore Exhibition By Our Artists, Esso Singapore

1976                              Special Award for National Day Art Exhibition, Ministry of Culture, Singapore

2005                             Creative Visual Art Award 2005, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore

2006                             Asia Visual Arts Award, Korean National Cultural Research Organisation, Seoul, Korea
                                      Cultural Medallion, National Arts Council, Singapore 



SELECTED CORPORATE & PUBLIC COLLECTIONS

National Museum of Singapore
Nanyang University Art Museum
National Museum, Negara Brunei Darussalam
Mcgraw Hill International Book Company, USA
Monetary Authority of Singapore
Central Provident Fund, Singapore
United Overseas Bank
Development Bank of Singapore
Swiss Credit Bank
Mitsubishi Corporation ( Singapore Branch )
Mitsubishi Bank ( Singapore Branch )
Tokai Bank ( Singapore Branch )
Dai - Ichi Bank Kangyo Bank ( Singapore Branch )
Union Bank of Switzerland, Singapore
Singapore Kobe Pte Ltd
National Westminster Bank, Singapore
IDM International Corporation
Afro Asia Shipping Company Pte Ltd
Ho Bee Group
Singapore Polytechnic 

Private collectors from all around the world






Selected Work

Morning Fog ( 晨雾 )
2005
Oil Painting
60.5 cm x 72 cm
Clementi Forest ( 金文泰森林 ) 
1986
Oil Painting
53.1 cm x 65 cm
Rice Pounding, Bali ( 峇厘粽米 ）  
1989
Oil Painting
53 cm x 65 cm
Hong Kong Fishing Village ( 香港渔村 ）
1975
Oil Painting
61 cm x 75 cm


Bali Village ( 巴厘村庄 )
2002
Oil Painting
53 cm x 65 cm
Shidu, Beijing (  北京十渡 )
2006
Oil Painting
60.5 cm x 72 cm
Shidu, Beijing ( 北京十渡 )
2005
Oil Painting
72 cm x 60.5 cm
Textile Shop ( 布庄 )
1995
Oil Painting
60.9 cm x 72.9 cm


Tanah Lot Temple, Bali （ 巴厘岛海神庙  ）
1994 
Oil Painting
61 cm x 73 cm 
Bali Scene ( 巴厘风情 )
1996
Oil Painting
53 cm x 65.2 cm
Bali Scene (  巴厘风情 )
1994
Oil Painting
60.8 cm x 72.8 cm
Pontian Scene (  笨珍渔村 )  
1995
Oil Painting
53 cm x 65 cm


Attap House ( 亚答屋 )
1988
Oil Painting
43.5 cm x 31 cm


Labour by the Waterfront ( 水岸劳作 )
1988
Oil Painting
45.5 cm x 33 cm


Shophouses ( 店屋 )
Oil Painting
45.5 cm x 33 cm


Market Place, Bali ( 新加坡河 )
2014
Oil on Canvas
50 cm x 65 cm







Singapore River ( 新加坡河 )
1983
Oil Painting
50 cm x 65 cm


Stilt House by the River ( 甘榜 )
2000
Oil on Canvas
65 cm x 53 cm


Circular Road ( 沙球朥路 )
2000
Oil on Canvas
53 cm x 65 cm


Phoenix Ancient City ( 凤凰古城 )
1990
Oil on Canvas
46 cm x 53 cm






Resting under the tree ( 树下乘凉 )
1991
Oil on Canvas
42 cm x 47 cm


Waterfall ( 瀑布 )
2005
Oil on Canvas
61 cm x 73 cm


Lotus ( 荷花 )
1988
Oil on Canvas
72.5 cm x  60.5 cm


Top of a Mountain ( 山顶 )
1990
Oil on Canvas
40.5 cm x  31 cm

    





Red Tray and Pear ( 红托盘与梨 )
1988
Oil on Canvas
31.3 cm x 38.5 cm


Yang Peach ( 杨桃 )
1990
Oil on Canvas
24.3 cm x 27.5 cm


White Plate and Orange ( 白色盘与桔 )
1992
Oil on Canvas
25.5 cm x  30.5 cm


Crab and Garlic ( 螃蟹和蒜头 )
1990
Oil on Canvas
24.5 cm x  27.5 cm

Chinatown（ 牛车水 ）
1973
Oil Painting
71 cm x 96.5 cm





Exhibition











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Singapore 179083