Making Fish Crackers

Lee Man Fong is considered one of the most lyrical and accomplished Chinese-born painters to live and flourish in Southeast Asia. Born in the Chinese province of Guangzhou in 1913, Lee migrated to Singapore at the age of three, spending the formative part of his adult life in Indonesia before returning to Singapore in his retirement years. Throughout his artistic career, Lee Man Fong remained steadfastly faithful to his cultural origins as an ethnic Chinese artist, schooled in Western art and living in the unique and culturally diverse region of Southeast Asia.

Making Fish Crackers (Lot 218) comes from the limited body of work which Lee Man Fong produced during his time spent in the early 70s travelling in the Southeast Asian region. The scene of rustic Malay life is portrayed with a poignancy that belies the artist's sentimental affection for the landscape and its people. The traditional savoury snack of keropok lekor is one which is immediately identifiable to the Malaysian region, and enjoyed by people from all walks of life. Known for painting elegant Balinese women idealized for their beauty, the women here are idealized for the virtues of hard work and contribution to the community. Lee's preferred medium of oil on Masonite board enables him here to achieve a refined finish and fine detail that perfectly expresses the authentic spirit of this Southeast Asian scene.
In Boy on Buffalo (Lot 219), Lee further demonstrates his versatility as an artist. Drawing inspiration from the imagery of traditional Chinese master Li Keran, Lee depicts a poetic scene of a young boy contemplating his homeward journey, and the beauty of his surroundings. The boy and his buffalo are painted in perfect harmony with each other, and suggest a deep contentment and fulfilment in the experience of the present. This is an exceptional work that highlights the relationship between man and nature that formed the core of Lee's aesthetics.