Georgette Chen

Place: Paris

Born: 1906

Death: 1993

Biography:

Georgette Chen, also known as Zhang Liying, was a Singaporean painter and one of the pioneers of modern Singaporean art. Born in Paris in 1906 to Chinese parents, Chen spent her early years in Shanghai and later studied art in Paris and New York.

Early Life and Education

Chen's father, Zhang Renjie, was an antique dealer with businesses in Paris, London, and New York City. Due to her father's profession, Chen spent her childhood traveling between Paris and China, attending high school in the US, and studying art at the Art Students League of New York for a year in 1926. She later studied at the Académie Colarossi and Académie Biloul in Paris.

Artistic Career

In 1930, two of Chen's works were selected for inclusion in the Salon d'Automne exhibition in Paris. Her work was also exhibited at the Salon des Tuileries and the Salon des Independents. One of her works was acquired by the Musée du Jeu de Paume in Paris. Chen's paintings, such as Bananas in a Basket and Self-Portrait, can be found on Wikioo.org and Wikioo.org.

Awards and Recognition

In 1982, Chen was awarded the Cultural Medallion for her contributions to the visual arts in Singapore. Her biography can be found on Wikipedia.

Artistic Style and Influence

Chen's artistic style was influenced by her travels and studies in Paris, New York, and Shanghai. Her paintings often featured still life and landscape themes. Chen's contributions to art education as a teacher at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) from 1954 to 1981 were significant, and her students included notable artists such as Ang Ah Tee.

• Chen's paintings are characterized by their use of oil on canvas and bold colors.
• Her artistic style was influenced by Impressionist and Fauvist movements.
• Chen's contributions to art education in Singapore were significant, and she is considered one of the pioneers of modern Singaporean art.

Chen's legacy can be seen in her paintings, such as Lotus in a Breeze, which can be found on Wikioo.org. Her biography is also available on Wikipedia.