Poon Lian Celebrates 6 Decades Of Artistic Mastery In Latest Solo: Revelation

Divine Pools (Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan) 九寨沟2024 Chinese ink and color on paper 52 x 80 cm

Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, University of the Arts Singapore announces the launch of Revelation: Recent Works by Poon Lian, a solo exhibition showcasing 60 recent artworks of the distinguished Singaporean artist and NAFA alumnus. Held from 26 February to 11 March 2025 at The Ngee Ann Kongsi Galleries, the exhibition marks his 5th solo exhibition, following his last show in 2015. Art enthusiasts can look forward to his artworks that unveil a profound sense of wonder, showcasing the hidden beauty in remote and familiar lands.

Revelation offers a glimpse into the energetic 78-year-old artist’s travel explorations over the past decade. Influenced by his mentors at NAFA, including the late pioneering Nanyang artists Chen Chong Swee and Georgette Chen, as well as receiving personal tutelage from Chen Wen Hsi; like many of his peers, Poon Lian drew inspiration from his travels across Southeast Asia and beyond. Showcasing awe-inspiring landscapes from Xinjiang, Guangxi, Sichuan, and Taiwan to the idyllic islands of Indonesia, Poon Lian’s paintings portray the rich diversity of local scenery, people, cultures with a fusion of traditions in the Nanyang region.

“In life, many travels and experiences continue to inspire my art. Painting is to recreate a likeness and enliven it with your own soul. It is not imitation, but becomes an exceptional expression of who you are. My work is like a personal diary not merely of what I have seen. It creates a story inside the art that embody the profound memories and ideas of people and places in Nanyang for the world to share.” said Poon Lian. With the ability to create the clever display of light and shadow harmonising textures through colours and brush strokes, each art piece brings depth and character of the surrounding nature to life.

Rooster Fight (Bali) 斗鸡 2021 Oil on board 50 x 65 cm

More than just landscapes, the human connection with nature captured the moments of people gathering, resting, and hard at work in the ever-changing beauty of the seasons. His depictions of landscapes, people, and memories, showcase the past and present, connecting generations through history and stories that provide catalysts for discussions. Through his evocative and immersive paintings, his work illustrates the connection between distance and humanity.

Warmth Amidst the Chill (Gongga, Sichuan) 无畏秋寒 2023 Chinese ink and colour on paper 149 x 97 cm

Revelation pays homage to artistic heritage and legacy, illustrating the academy’s pioneering spirit of exploration, while inspiring growth through the arts. The exhibition also highlights NAFA’s commitment to regional arts through research, practice and development.

ANNEX 1 – Background Information
ANNEX 2 – Artist Biography
ANNEX 3 – Highlighted Artworks