작품 상세

In this work, a lady standing amidst a vase full of assorted flowers exudes femininity. She seems to be admiring the blossomed flowers. Another lady figure has risen on the left, perhaps hinting at an early start of the day. The graceful curves of the female forms, and the clever composition demonstrate the artist’s signature Nanyang style. Executed with refined brushstrokes and colours composed in a delicate palette, the painting radiates grace and tranquillity. The flourish and tenderness of youth is as ephemeral as the flowers, evoking a sense of timelessness in the piece. Nai Tong returned to Malaysia and had his first solo at the British Council in Kuala Lumpur in 1964, the year he won 2nd Prize in the Chartered Bank mural design competition. He furthered his studies at the Ecole Nationale Superieure des BeauxArts (1967-1968). The 1980s saw him winning several awards including the Shell Best Award (watercolour, 1981), Esso Best Award (1982) and Dunlop Best Award (watercolour, 1983). He taught at various art academies namely the Malaysian Institute of Art (1969-1980), Central Academy of Art (1982-1985) and the Saito Academy of Art (1986-1988) before he decided to go full time in 1992. In 2007, he had a major survey exhibition at the National Art Gallery Malaysia, called Odyssey. In 2009, he won the Asia Art Award in Seoul, South Korea.