Nai Swee Leng

About the Artist

As a veteran in the Singapore fine arts scene, Swee Leng (赖瑞龙) has been passionate about painting since his childhood days.

about_the_artist

Swee Leng’s unique art style

As a veteran in the Singapore fine arts scene, Swee Leng (赖瑞龙) has been passionate about painting since his childhood days. He is most widely known for his Chinese ink paintings of Nanyang themes, such as coconuts trees, bamboos, tropical birds (myna, swallows, sparrows etc), fowls (roosters, goose etc) and flowers (plum blossoms, orchids, lotus etc). Swee Leng paints with intriguing free-hand brush strokes on tranquil and meaningful compositions. The tasteful depth, strength and simple grace embodies the traditional authenticity in Swee Leng’s artworks, which is highly commended by many around the world.

Swee Leng has held more than 10 solo and many group exhibitions in Singapore and abroad. Having been invited to represent Singapore by the Singapore Tourism Promotion Board and the Ministry of Culture (now the Ministry of Information and the Arts (MITA)), and appointed panel judge for some of these events, Swee Leng is a familiar veteran in the local art scene. He also sits as committee member for various local and overseas art groups and takes an active role in promoting traditional Chinese art in contemporary times.

Swee Leng’s Chinese ink paintings are not only represented at galleries locally and abroad, but are also collected by private and corporate art collectors around the world and presented as diplomatic gifts to foreign guests and visitors of the Government. Swee Leng also spends significant amount of time engaging students in the exploration of traditional Chinese art techniques, styles and compositions.

We present a repertoire of Swee Leng’s art works in the “Gallery” section for your viewing pleasures.

Biography

2016
National Gallery Singapore (Ink Masters Series)
  • By invitation of the National Gallery Singapore (Ink Masters Series), shared on the topic “Ink Development during the Ming and Qing Periods”, and conducted a live demonstration of Chinese ink on rice paper, themed – Pine.
  • By invitation of the National Gallery Singapore (Ink Masters Series), conducted another 3 live demonstrations of Chinese ink on rice paper of various Nanyang themes.
2015
Influence of the Shanghai School
  • Influence of the Shanghai School of Painting In Singapore – Demonstration and Art Exhibition at The Fullerton Heritage.
  • Solo Art Exhibition at the Jao Tsung-I Academy – Jointly organized by 香港艺育菁英, Jao Tsung-I Academy and Wan Fung Art Gallery, in conjunction with the Chinese Ink Art Festivity.
  • Art exhibition to be held at the Museum of Han Tianheng, Shanghai, featuring 10 artists.
  • Fifteenth Art Exhibition organized by The International Bokuga Association, in Tokyo, Japan.
2014
Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan Art
  • Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan Art & Calligraphy Exhibition in Singapore.
  • Chinese Ink Art Festivity Opening Art Exhibition in Hong Kong.
  • Nanyang Visionaries Exhibition Singapore
  • Lion City (Singapore) Art Scholar Art Exhibition and Gathering
  • The President’s Charity Art Exhibition (http://www.president-charity-arts.sg). Four of Swee Leng’s paintings were selected for The Singapore Post Stamp Series which was launched as part of the President’s Charity Art Exhibition 2014, held from 14th to 18th November 2014 at The Art House.
  • The President’s Charity Art Exhibition is a charity art event organised by the Raffles Fine Arts Auctioneers and aims to raise funds for the President’s Challenge. Along with the above art pieces, Swee Leng also exhibited a number of his recent art works at this exhibition.
  • The Art of Nai Swee Leng was first launched in the Year 1999 in conjunction with Swee Leng’s 1999 Solo Art Exhibition. The Art Book’s 2nd edition was published in September 2014.
  • Fourteenth Art Exhibition organized by The International Bokuga Association, in Tokyo, Japan.
2013
Exhibition by the Masters
  • Exhibition by the Masters in the Hometown of Huangdi, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, China.
  • Singapore Siaw-Tao Seal Carving and Calligraphy Art Society Annual Art Exhibition.
  • Thirteenth Art Exhibition organized by The International Bokuga Association, in Tokyo, Japan.
2012
Twelfth Art Exhibition
  • Twelfth Art Exhibition organized by The International Bokuga Association, in Tokyo, Japan.
  • Sixth Exhibition of New Expression of Asian Art, in Tainan, Taiwan.
  • Participated in Singapore Teochew Art Exhibition in Shantou, China.
  • Molan Art Association 45th Anniversary Art Exhibition at the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
  • Twentieth Annual Lion City Calligraphy and Seal Carving Art Exhibition.
2011
Eleventh Art Exhibition
  • Eleventh Art Exhibition organized by The International Bokuga Association, in Tokyo, Japan.
  • First New Expression of International Art Bi-Annual Exhibition, in Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, China.
2010
Shanghai, China
  • Art Exhibition in Shanghai, China, to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of establishment in diplomatic ties between Singapore and China.
  • Fifth Exhibition of New Expression of Asian Art, in Bangkok, Thailand.
  • Eleventh Art Exhibition organized by The International Bokuga Association, in Tokyo, Japan.
2009
Tenth Art Exhibition organized
  • Tenth Art Exhibition organized by The International Bokuga Association, in Hangzhou, China.
2008
Calligraphy Exhibition
  • Singapore-China Calligraphy Exhibition in Shantou, China. Artworks collected by the Shantou historical culture database.
  • Malaysia-Singapore Modern Artists Art Exhibition in Penang, Malaysia.
  • Artworks selected for cultural demonstration and exhibition at the Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Cultural Studies (Prince of Songkhla University Pattani Campus), Thailand.
  • Nineth Art Exhibition organized by The International Bokuga Association, in Tokyo, Japan.
  • Forth Exhibition of New Expression of Asian Art, in Zhengzhou City of Henan Province, China.
2007
Jakarta, Indonesia
  • Solo Art Exhibition in Jakarta, Indonesia.
  • Eighth Art Exhibition organized by The International Bokuga Association, in Tokyo, Japan.
  • International Teochew Art Exhibition in Sydney, Australia.
2006
TeoYeonh Art Exhibition
  • TeoYeonh Art Exhibition in Singapore Ngee Ann Art Centre.
  • Seventh Art Exhibition organized by The International Bokuga Association, in Tokyo, Japan.
  • Received Best Artwork Award from the Singapore Siaw-Tao Seal Carving and Calligraphy Art Society.
  • Third Exhibition of New Expression of Asian Art, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2005
Sixth Art Exhibition organized
  • Sixth Art Exhibition organized by The International Bokuga Association, in Melbourne, Australia.
  • Received Lifetime Achievement Award from the Singapore Siaw-Tao Seal Carving and Calligraphy Art Society.
2004
The International Bokuga Association
  • Second Exhibition of New Expression of Asian Art, in Taipei, Taiwan.
  • Fifth Art Exhibition organized by The International Bokuga Association, in Tokyo, Japan.
2003
100th Anniversary
  • 100th Anniversary Art Exhibition of the Xiling Art Centre, in Hangzhou, China.
  • Forth Art Exhibition organized by The International Bokuga Association, in Tokyo, Japan.
  • Spring Art Exhibition in Shanghai, China.
2002 – 2012
Ngee Ann Art Centre
  • Teochew Art Exhibition at Ngee Ann Art Centre.
2002
New Expression of Asian Art
  • First Exhibition of New Expression of Asian Art, in Singapore.
  • Third Art Exhibition organized by The International Bokuga Association, in Tokyo, Japan.
2001
Exhibition at Beijing China Art Museum
  • International Teochew Art Exhibition at Beijing China Art Museum.
  • Second Art Exhibition organized by The International Bokuga Association, in Tokyo, Japan.
  • International Chinese Ink Artists Federation Exhibition in Taiwan.
2000
10 Masters Art Exhibition
  • Singapore and New York 10 Masters Art Exhibition.
  • F.I.T.M.A. Exhibition Taiwan.
  • First Art Exhibition organized by The International Bokuga Association.
1999
F.I.T.M.A. Exhibition Taiwan
  • F.I.T.M.A. Exhibition Taiwan.
  • Solo Art Exhibition in Singapore.
  • Published his dedicated Art book, The Art of Nai Swee Leng.
  • Teochew Art Exhibition at Ngee Ann Art Centre.
1998
95th Anniversary Art Exhibition
  • 95th Anniversary Art Exhibition of Xiling Art Centre.
  • Third International Touring Tsai-Mo Art Exhibition.
  • President’s Charity Art Exhibition ‘ 98.
  • Teochew Art Exhibition at the opening of Ngee Ann Art Centre.
1997
Second International Teochew Art
  • Second International Teochew Art and Calligraphy Exhibition in The Academy of Painting, Shantou, China.
  • Second International Touring Tsai-Mo Art Exhibition.
1996
celebrated Asian Chinese Artists.
  • Touring Art Exhibition of twelve celebrated Asian Chinese Artists.
  • First International Touring Tsai-Mo Art Exhibition.
1995
Brush Paintings Exhibition
  • Contemporary Ink and Brush Paintings Exhibition by international Chinese masters.
  • Nai Swee Leng, William Lai, Lye Swee Kun – Three Men Art Exhibition in Weybridge Museum, London, England.
  • Officially joined Xiling Art Centre, Zhejiang, China as Overseas Member.
  • “Windows on Singapore Art Exhibition” in China Art Gallery, Beijing.
1994
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
  • International Chinese Brush Painting Seminar and Exhibition ’94 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
  • Ling-Nan Style Art Exhibition in Melbourne, Australia, organized by Australia Ling-Nan Art Association.
1993
National Museum, Singapore.
  • Solo Art Exhibition at the National Museum, Singapore.
  • 90th Anniversary Art Exhibition of the Xiling Art Centre, Zhejiang, China.
1992
Exhibition in Seoul, Korea.
  • Solo Art Exhibition at the Cherries Art Gallery, Singapore.
  • Art Exhibition in Seoul, Korea.
  • Forth Asia Federation of Fine Arts Exhibition in Seoul, Korea.
  • At the invitation of the Nanyang Siang Pao, lectured at the Central Academy of Art, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
  • At the invitation of the Nanyang Art Association, lectured at the National Museum, Singapore.
  • At the invitation of Ramakhamhaena University of Thailand, participated in Art Exhibition in Thailand.
  • Appointed as overseas artist of the Xiling Art Centre in Zhejiang, China. 
1991
New Year Calligraphy
  • New Year Calligraphy Art Exhibition in Japan.
1990-2012
Annual Lion City Calligraphy
  • Annual Lion City Calligraphy and Seal Carving Art Exhibition.
1990
  • Art Exhibition held at the Singapore Bird Park.
  • First International Teochew Art and Calligraphy Exhibition held in Macau.
  • Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (“NAFA”) Teachers’ Art Exhibition at the National Museum, Singapore.
1989
Singapore Bird Park.
  • Art Exhibition held at the Singapore Bird Park.
  • First International Teochew Art and Calligraphy Exhibition held in Macau.
  • Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (“NAFA”) Teachers’ Art Exhibition at the National Museum, Singapore.
1988
Penang, Malaysia

  • Solo Art Exhibition at the Fine Arts Academy, Penang, Malaysia.
  • At the invitation of the Japanese Government, participated in the “Art of Singapore” in Sapporo, Japan.

1986
Invitation by STPB

  • At the invitation by STPB, participated and lectured at the Art Exhibition and Demonstration in Nagoya and Osaka Japan.

1985
National Museum, Singapore

  • Solo Art Exhibition at the National Museum, Singapore.
  • For consecutive years, appointed one of the panel judges for the National Teachers Art Exhibition of Singapore.

1984
Tour organized by the MOCS

  • Asean Art Exhibition Tour organized by the MOCS.
  • For consecutive years, appointed one of the panel judges for Outram Art Club National Level Art Competition.
  • Solo Art Exhibition at the Art House, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
  • Published his first Artbook, “Art of Nai Swee Leng”.
  • At invitation of the STPB, participated in the Art Exhibition and Demonstration in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia.
  • At the invitation of the STPB, participated and lectured at the Art Exhibition in Switzerland, West Germany, Holland and England.

1983
Singapore Tourism Promotion Board (“STPB”)

  • Appointed one of the panel judges for the Lianhe Zaobao and Lianhe Wanbao Calligraphy.
  • At the invitation of the Singapore Tourism Promotion Board (“STPB”), participated in the Saudi Arabia Art Exhibition and Demonstration.

1982 – 2012
Arts and Calligraphy Exhibition

  • Participated in the annual Arts and Calligraphy Exhibition by Siaw-Tao Art Society members.

1982
6-man Art Exhibition

  • 6-man Art Exhibition at the Fine Art Gallery, Singapore.
  • Art Exhibition at the Alliance Francaise Singapore.
  • For consecutive years, appointed judge for the National Day Art Exhibition organized by the Ministry of Culture, Singapore (“MOCS”).
  • Appointed committee member of the Singapore Siaw-Tao Seal Carving and Calligraphy Art Society up to year 2010. To-date, he continues to participate actively in the Society’s activities as a member.

1981
International Chinese Calligraphy Exhibition
  • International Chinese Calligraphy Exhibition at the National Museum, Singapore.
  • “Art of Singapore” Exhibition in Israel.
  • ’81 Art Exhibition in conjunction with the official opening of the Singapore Changi International Airport.
  • Joint Art Exhibition with Tan Joo Jong and Tan Oe Pang in Helsinki, Finland.
1980
Participated in the “Fruits”

  • Participated in the “Fruits” Art Exhibition in Singapore.
  • International Arts and Calligraphy Exhibition in Hong Kong.
  • ’80 Art Exhibition at the National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore.
  • Solo Art Exhibition at Alliance Francaise Singapore.
  • Received mentorship from the late Professor Chao Shao-An.
  • Joint Art Exhibition with twelve artists, including Lee Man Fong, Tay Bak Koi, Wan Soo Kam, Ong Kim Seng, in Sydney, Australia.

1979
Joint exhibition

  • Joint exhibition with Wan Soon Kam, Ang Ah Tee, Ong Kim Seng in Bahrain and various locations in the Middle East.
  • Solo Art Exhibition at the Mandarin Hotel, Singapore.

1978
4-Man Art Exhibition

  • Jointly held a 4-Man Art Exhibition at the Singapore UIC Building.
  • Solo Art Exhibition at the Fine Art Gallery, Singapore.

1974
First solo Chinese Art

  • First solo Chinese Art and Calligraphy Exhibition at the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

1970
Exhibition at the Singapore

  • First dual Art Exhibition at the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
  • National Museum Art Gallery Exhibition, Singapore.

1966
Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore.

  • Swee Leng graduated from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore.
  • Learnt under renowned Artist Master Shi Xiang Tuo.
  • Founded Molan Art Association with Zhuang Sheng Tao, Hu Kang Le, Yu Si Fu and has been actively involved in art activities locally and abroad since.
  • Appointed committee member of the Society of Chinese Artists up to year 1992.
  • Member of the Singapore Art Society and was invited to be one of the panel judges for the Tan Chee Chor Award for consecutive years.

1962
Chinese brush painting

  • Teenage years, Swee Leng studied Chinese brush painting under Lingdong Master Fan Chang Tien.

1946
Born in Singapore