Lot Essay
Chinese Calligraphy (Lot 259) by Singaporean artist Tay Bak Koi depicts a mother and child in the process of choosing Chinese calligraphic works that are used in the decoration of homes during the period of the lunar new year. The painting's red-toned palette further highlights the association with the most important festival in Chinese culture, and as she picks out a particularly auspicious work bearing the Chinese character denoting "fortune", this is a charming work that evokes a sense of familiarity in celebrating family and tradition.