Social Commentary: Ways of Life: Chua Mia Tee

Chua Mia Tee, Workers in a Canteen, 1974, Oil on Canvas


What you need to know about Chua Mia Tee:

Born: 25 November, 1931
Nationality: Chinese; immigrated to Singapore in 1937

• He graduated from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in 1952: studied Western painting under Chen Chong Swee.

• To the artist, art MUST reflect life, & must be firmly grounded in reality, even if it is not necessarily painted in a photorealistic manner. It was important to document the everyday. This was a way to document the growth and changes that were occurring in Singapore in a visual manner.
  

• One of the Pioneers of Social Realism in Singapore.

• What is SOCIAL REALISM?

Social Realism
Social Realism took place in Europe in the 1850’s, but did not reach South East Asia until the 1970’s. The goals in Europe & SG were the same: to give the people a sense of national identity & pride, & to portray the working class as heroes. This was to give the budding country a sense of national pride and to promote patriotism. Look at CMT's other artworks: they all focus on the working class and places them in the spotlight. By taking the everyday and making it special (by portraying it in art), the artist has highlighted and created "heroes" out of the working class.

• Artist’s Inspiration: This type of painting is part of the Nanyang style of painting. While not one of the big 4 Nanyang painters, having attended NAFA and having studied under Cheng Chong Swee, CMT can be considered a Nanyang Artist.

• Reminder: The Nanyang style of painting developed from a group of painters who went to Nanyang and came together to form their own style, to be unified, and to be identified as SG’s first style of painting: a style of painting that Singapore could call it’s own. This happened shortly after Singapore's independence from Great Britain.
  

• This piece sheds light upon the need to create an anti-colonialistic & national identity for Singapore artists & art.

Other artworks by Chua Mia Tee:














From top to bottom: Samsui Women, 1977; National Language Class, 1959; Snake Charmer, 1977; Portable Cinema, 1977

All works are Oil on Canvas

Questions:

1. Describe Workers in a Canteen.
2. Is CMT successful in creating "heroes" out of workers? Why or why not? Support your answer with visual evidence.