Timeless Present 今夕何夕 – Recent Works of Oh Chai Hoo

iPreciation is delighted to present Singapore contemporary artist Oh Chai Hoo’s recent works in an exhibition titled “Timeless Present 今夕何夕”. This exhibition features ink collage artworks by Oh, a tribute to Jin Hui Dui (錦灰堆). This is the first time it is being explored in a contemporary context here.

Jin Hui Dui is an ancient art form of Chinese scholarly montage painting that originated as early as the late Ming Dynasty. The montage usually includes ancient objects, such as old paintings, calligraphy, topiary, and letters. In Oh’s new mixed-media works, the miscellaneous things he uses are torn, burnt, stained, and worn out, giving them a sense of antiquity and elegance. Oh also adopts a realistic painting method for some of the artefacts, and it takes a double take to discern which are painted on, and which are pasted on. The deliberate use of colours and intricate painting technique captivates the eye and encourages it to wander along the different objects to discover something new each time.

Oh Chai Hoo (b. 1960) is a Singapore artist who works extensively with various mediums. Since graduating from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore in 1982, Oh has remained an active member of the local arts scene. He was the vice-president (2013 – 2021) of Singapore’s Siaw-Tao Chinese Seal-Carving Calligraphy & Painting Society had held various exhibitions locally and in South Korea and Japan.

He received the Consolation Award for Chong Boon Painting of the Year, Singapore in 1986, a Distinction in Visual Art Creation by the NAFA Alumni Association (1992), and Highly Commended in Abstract Medium at the 18th UOB Painting of the Year competition (1999), the Siaw-Tao Achievement Award in 2009, Siaw-Tao Best Artwork Award in 2013 and Siaw-Tao Achievement Award in 2010. His works are collected privately and permanently by the National Museum of Singapore and The Istana, Singapore.