Kuo Juping Sold at Auction Prices

b. 1908 - d. 1966

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      • Kuo Juping (b. 1908 - 1966) Chatting Under Banana Trees
        Oct. 01, 2023

        Kuo Juping (b. 1908 - 1966) Chatting Under Banana Trees

        Est: RM6,000 - RM10,000

        Before the advent of shopping malls and proliferation of motorized vehicles, it was common for prospective lovers of Malay origin to chat outside the stilt houses, usually under the cover of banana or coconut trees grown in abundance in the villages. Kuo Juping, nee Khor Seng Chye, was one of the first artists to have broken through racial barriers in depicting not only Chinese but also Indians and Malays, although in stereotyped occupations. In an extract from an interview with Rosyln Yip, Kuo's daughter living in Sydney (The Art of Khaw Sia & Kuo Juping, Dato' Dr. Tan Chee Khuan, The Art Gallery, Penang, 2014, p. 248-249), Yip, herself a London-trained artist, said: "He (Juping) was fond of sketching kampung scenes, nature, town life, ordinary people at work, play or eating, and also, street hawkers." Kuo Juping was in the pioneering batch of students at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore but had to return to help out his father's import-export (rattan, cloves and nutmegs) business, Sin Guan Thye and Company, in Victoria Street. He was a founding member of the Penang Chinese Art Club and the Thursday Art Group, and was a mentor of Tan Choon Ghee (1930-2010), who later became a legend in watercolours. Kuo died of a stroke in March 1966 at the age of 58.

        Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
      • Kuo Juping (b. 1908 - 1966) Boats By The Jetty
        Jun. 25, 2023

        Kuo Juping (b. 1908 - 1966) Boats By The Jetty

        Est: RM8,000 - RM14,000

        Kuo Juping's delicate canvases record his immediate surroundings and gives a nostalgic feel depicting a bygone era. Absorbing the viewers' attention along a wooden pathway, the artist directs our gaze into the entrance of traditional village homes built on wooden stilts. Painted finely with the artist's rustic and subdued palette, it suggests a restful and calming time of the day, where the boats are at rest. Kuo Juping (the name was taken after a water plant) was in the pioneering batch of students at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore but had to return a year before graduating to tend to his father's import-export business, Sing Guan Thye & Co. He was a founding member of Thursday Art Group and Penang Chinese Art Club in 1936. He was one of the first artists to paint the ordinary people and places such as rubber estates, oil palms, cocoa plantations, paddy fields, kampung and make-shift hawker centres. He was a mentor of Tan Choon Ghee (1930-2010) who became a legendary watercolourist. Kuo died of a stroke in March 1966 at the age of 58.

        Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
      • Kuo Juping (b. 1908 - 1966) Portrait Of A Boy
        Jun. 25, 2023

        Kuo Juping (b. 1908 - 1966) Portrait Of A Boy

        Est: RM9,000 - RM14,000

        Celebrated Nanyang painter Kuo Juping illustrates a portrait of a young boy in brown suspenders with a shirt. His hair is neatly parted to the right. A smart-looking handsome boy, with his kempt hair, wearing his favourite shirt (trend of that era), looking straight into the eyes of the viewers. He is confident, mature, polite, well-mannered, responsible, poised to be the future pillar of the nation, contributing to the country, and at the same time taking good care of his family. Kuo Juping (the name was taken after a water plant) was in the pioneering batch of students at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore but had to return a year before graduating to tend to his father's import-export business, Sing Guan Thye & Co. He was a founding member of Thursday Art Group and Penang Chinese Art Club in 1936. He was one of the first artists to paint the ordinary people and places such as rubber estates, oil palms / cocoa plantations, paddy fields, kampung and make- shift hawker centres. He was a mentor of Tan Choon Ghee (1930-2010) who became a legendary watercolourist. Kuo died of a stroke in March 1966 at the age of 58.

        Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
      • Kuo Juping (b. 1908 - 1966) Rural Health Clinic
        Mar. 19, 2023

        Kuo Juping (b. 1908 - 1966) Rural Health Clinic

        Est: RM3,500 - RM6,500

        Kuo Juping is known for his vignettes of rural life rather than cityscapes, because they offer more interesting insights into how the common folk get by their daily lives. This work depicts the exterior of a clinic that was available to the community. Kuo Juping (the name was taken after a water plant) was in the pioneering batch of students at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore but had to return a year before graduating to tend to his father's import-export business, Sing Guan Thye & Co., in Victoria Street. He was a founding member of Thursday Art Group and the Penang Chinese Art Club in 1936. He was one of the first artists to paint the ordinary people and places such as rubber estates, oil palms, cocoa plantations, paddy fields, kampung and make-shift hawker centres. He was a mentor of Tan Choon Ghee (1930-2010) who became a legendary watercolourist. Kuo died of a stroke in March 1966 at the age of 58.

        Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
      • Kuo Juping (b. 1908 - 1966) Untitled
        Mar. 19, 2023

        Kuo Juping (b. 1908 - 1966) Untitled

        Est: RM4,000 - RM8,000

        Kuo Juping's compositions reflect his continued interest in depicting his surrounding environment, reinterpreting scenes of village landscapes onto a pictorial space. His work is characterised by a build-up of solid strokes evenly applied across the canvas, projecting an earthy, rustic sensibility. Juping's impression of old streets, dwellings, and natural landscapes mark him as one of the important pioneer artists of Malaya. Kuo Juping (the name was taken after a water plant) was in the pioneering batch of students at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore but had to return a year before graduating to tend to his father's import-export business, Sing Guan Thye & Co. He was a founding member of Thursday Art Group and Penang Chinese Art Club in 1936. He was one of the first artists to paint ordinary people and places such as rubber estates, oil palms, cocoa plantations, paddy fields, kampung and make-shift hawker centres. He was a mentor of Tan Choon Ghee (1930-2010) who became a legendary watercolourist.

        Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
      • Kuo Juping (b. 1908 - 1966) Self Portrait On Beach
        Mar. 19, 2023

        Kuo Juping (b. 1908 - 1966) Self Portrait On Beach

        Est: RM12,000 - RM20,000

        Juping was one of the pioneer artists of Malaysia, revered for his great versatility, style and technical skills. Self Portrait On Beach offers the viewer a glimpse into his daily life. His focused gaze on the sketch placed on his lap reveals a determined personality who cherished the present moment. Always carrying a sketchbook, he was known to take walks along the beach, and this self-portrait encapsulates his devotion to art practice. With the impression of light and shadows on the coastal sands, the colours exude peace and contentment - a celebration of his work and life. Kuo Juping (the name was taken after a water plant) was in the pioneering batch of students at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore but had to return a year before graduating to tend to his father's import-export business, Sing Guan Thye & Co., in Victoria Street. He was a founding member of Thursday Art Group and the Penang Chinese Art Club in 1936. He was one of the first artists to paint the ordinary people and places such as rubber estates, oil palms, cocoa plantations, paddy fields, kampung and make-shift hawker centres. He was a mentor of Tan Choon Ghee (1930-2010) who became a legendary watercolourist. Kuo died of a stroke in March 1966 at the age of 58.

        Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
      • Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 - 1966) Lady Entering Home
        Jan. 11, 2023

        Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 - 1966) Lady Entering Home

        Est: RM3,500 - RM6,500

        Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 - 1966) Lady Entering Home

        Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
      • Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 - 1966) Untitled
        Nov. 06, 2022

        Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 - 1966) Untitled

        Est: RM5,000 - RM8,000

        It is a rustic scene portraying traditional architectural styles that are gradually being lost. Amidst wooden houses, long poles scatter in various directions as a support, ultimately leading the viewer to a splendid mountain view in the distance. The scene is nostalgic, showing the relaxed movement of time. Kuo Juping (the name was taken after a water plant) was in the pioneering batch of students at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore but had to return a year before graduating to tend to his father's import-export business, Sing Guan Thye & Co. He was a founding member of Thursday Art Group and Penang Chinese Art Club in 1936. He was one of the first artists to paint ordinary people and places such as rubber estates, oil palms / cocoa plantations, padi-fields, kampung and make-shift hawker centres. He was a mentor of Tan Choon Ghee (1930-2010) who became a legendary watercolourist. Kuo died of a stroke in March 1966 at the age of 58.

        Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
      • Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 – 1966) Rooftops
        Jul. 17, 2022

        Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 – 1966) Rooftops

        Est: RM3,500 - RM6,000

        Juping spent his leisure time sketching and painting and was known to enter rooftops in search of breath-taking views for his compositions. Here, he presents an expressive drawing from his excursions. Juping illustrates a picturesque scene of rooftops and lofty textured walls of old houses silhouetted against an open sky. Juping rendered the architectural forms in swift agile strokes, imbuing the composition with dynamism and a feeling of immediacy and movement. Kuo Juping (the name was taken after a water plant) was in the pioneering batch of students at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore but had to return a year before graduating to tend to his father’s import-export business, Sing Guan Thye & Co. He was a founding member of Thursday Art Group and Penang Chinese Art Club in 1936. He was one of the first artists to paint ordinary people and places such as rubber estates, oil palms, cocoa plantations, paddy fields, kampung and make-shift hawker centres. He was a mentor of Tan Choon Ghee (1930-2010) who became a legendary watercolourist.

        Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
      • Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 – 1966) Bridge
        Jul. 17, 2022

        Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 – 1966) Bridge

        Est: RM12,000 - RM20,000

        Kuo Juping was a renowned pioneer artist of Malaysia whose impressionistic works capture the memories of a bygone era. He sought inspiration from the world around him, including the rustic landscapes, buildings, villages and animals. Here, Juping captures the grandeur of Kek Lok Si (Temple of Supreme Bliss), an architectural marvel built on Crane Hill which derived its name from its natural contours resembling the shape of a flying stork. The experience of light and air surrounded by natural foliage around the monastery conveys a gentle and tranquil mood. Kuo Juping (the name was taken after a water plant) was in the pioneering batch of students at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore but had to return a year before graduating to tend to his father’s import-export business, Sing Guan Thye & Co. He was a founding member of Thursday Art Group and Penang Chinese Art Club in 1936. He was one of the first artists to paint ordinary people and places such as rubber estates, oil palms, cocoa plantations, paddy fields, kampung and make-shift hawker centres. He was a mentor of Tan Choon Ghee (1930-2010) who became a legendary watercolourist.

        Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
      • Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 – 1966) My Neighbour
        Jul. 17, 2022

        Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 – 1966) My Neighbour

        Est: RM5,000 - RM9,000

        The artwork depicts a traditional building with an imposing high gateway, surrounded by lush greenery. The colours range from shades of green and brown. On one side several long planks were stacked, indicating that the owner could have been in the sawn wood business. Kuo Juping (the name was taken after a water plant) was in the pioneering batch of students at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore but had to return a year before graduating to tend to his father’s import-export business, Sing Guan Thye & Co. He was a founding member of Thursday Art Group and Penang Chinese Art Club in 1936.

        Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
      • Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 – 1966) Untitled
        Jul. 17, 2022

        Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 – 1966) Untitled

        Est: RM7,000 - RM12,000

        Located along the trading route of the Malacca strait, Penang was a thriving port of diverse cultures. The expansion of the tin mining industries in the 19th century led to the migration of people from diverse nationalities and religions, establishing networks of labour, capital, and resources. As a result, the architectural knowledge and culture of previous generations were preserved through the heritage buildings in the city. Juping concentrates on the effects of warm diffused light, filtered through the leaves of the trees. The composition displays several qualities in treatment, from the solid impressions of the mosque structure to the relaxed rendering of foliage and gentle strokes capturing relaxed figures at the foreground. Kuo Juping (the name was taken after a water plant) was in the pioneering batch of students at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore but had to return a year before graduating to tend to his father’s import-export business, Sing Guan Thye & Co. He was a founding member of Thursday Art Group and Penang Chinese Art Club in 1936. He was one of the first artists to paint ordinary people and places such as rubber estates, oil palms, cocoa plantations, paddy fields, kampung and make-shift hawker centres. He was a mentor of Tan Choon Ghee (1930-2010) who became a legendary watercolourist.

        Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
      • Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 – 1966) Foodstalls Beneath Trees
        Jul. 17, 2022

        Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 – 1966) Foodstalls Beneath Trees

        Est: RM8,500 - RM14,000

        Juping portrays an impressionistic depiction of traditional food stalls painted in light, soothing colours. The soft hues of green tones of the trees and the groups of people sitting together infuse the scene with a laidback and serene atmosphere. These food stalls and its delicacies provide a connection to the collective memories of the past. Kuo Juping (the name was taken after a water plant) was in the pioneering batch of students at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore but had to return a year before graduating to tend to his father’s import-export business, Sing Guan Thye & Co. He was a founding member of Thursday Art Group and Penang Chinese Art Club in 1936. He was one of the first artists to paint ordinary people and places such as rubber estates, oil palms, cocoa plantations, paddy fields, kampung and make-shift hawker centres. He was a mentor of Tan Choon Ghee (1930-2010) who became a legendary watercolourist.

        Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
      • Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 – 1966) Kampung House With Chickens
        Jul. 17, 2022

        Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 – 1966) Kampung House With Chickens

        Est: RM1,500 - RM3,000

        The artist manages to capture the beauty of kampung life with hues of greens and browns. It creates a positive and peaceful vibe. It is pleasant to look at. Kuo Ju Ping (the name was taken after a water plant) was in the pioneering batch of students at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore but had to return a year before graduating to tend to his father’s import-export business, Sing Guan Thye & Co. He was a founding member of Thursday Art Group and Penang Chinese Art Club in 1936. He was one of the first artists to paint ordinary people and places such as rubber estates, oil palms, cocoa plantations, paddy fields, kampung and make-shift hawker centres. He was a mentor of Tan Choon Ghee (1930-2010) who became a legendary watercolourist.

        Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
      • Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 - 1966) Kampung, 1958
        Mar. 27, 2022

        Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 - 1966) Kampung, 1958

        Est: RM2,500 - RM4,500

        Kuo Juping’s landscapes are often centred on houses, streetscapes, and village dwellings that portray the living conditions of the people. This scene was sketched quickly using economical lines and colours, showing the peaceful countryside. It is an intimate scene of a lady dressed in sari, beside her lovely home, surrounded by lush tropical palms and roosters. Kuo Juping (the name was taken after a water plant) was in the pioneering batch of students at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) in Singapore but had to return a year before graduating to tend to his father’s import-export business, Sing Guan Thye & Co. He was a founding member of Thursday Art Group and Penang Chinese Art Club in 1936. He was one of the first artists to paint ordinary people and places such as rubber estates, oil palms / cocoa plantations, padi-fields, kampung and make-shift hawker centres. He was a mentor of Tan Choon Ghee (1930-2010) who became a legendary watercolourist. Kuo died of a stroke in March 1966.

        Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
      • Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 - 1966) Boats, 1964
        Mar. 27, 2022

        Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 - 1966) Boats, 1964

        Est: RM3,000 - RM5,500

        Juping used quick and spontaneous strokes to complete the drawing of boats. The rippling of water, cool breeze, and billowing mist is keenly portrayed using pastel. This view by the quayside reflects Juping’s interest in painting scenes of the harbour and village jetties. Kuo Juping (the name was taken after a water plant) was in the pioneering batch of students at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) in Singapore but had to return a year before graduating to tend to his father’s import-export business, Sing Guan Thye & Co. He was a founding member of Thursday Art Group and Penang Chinese Art Club in 1936. He was one of the first artists to paint the ordinary people and places such as rubber estates, oil palms / cocoa plantations, padi-fields, kampung and make-shift hawker centres. He was a mentor of Tan Choon Ghee (1930-2010) who became a legendary watercolourist. Kuo died of a stroke in March 1966.

        Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
      • Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 - 1966) Boats In Fishing Village, c. 1960s
        Mar. 27, 2022

        Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 - 1966) Boats In Fishing Village, c. 1960s

        Est: RM6,000 - RM10,000

        Kuo Juping documents views of his daily surroundings, turning them into precious fragments of memories. He focuses on the composition of wooden boats, which were commonly used as a form of transportation. These works offer a profound link to the past, allowing us to experience the picture of yesterday. One can feel the warmth of the sun through the gleaming reflections on water. There is a possible hint of a romantic encounter between the man and woman on top of the bridge. Kuo Juping (the name was taken after a water plant) was in the pioneering batch of students at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) in Singapore but had to return a year before graduating to tend to his father’s import-export business, Sing Guan Thye & Co. He was a founding member of Thursday Art Group and Penang Chinese Art Club in 1936. He was one of the first artists to paint ordinary people and places such as rubber estates, oil palms / cocoa plantations, padi-fields, kampung and make-shift hawker centres. He was a mentor of Tan Choon Ghee (1930-2010) who became a legendary watercolourist. Kuo died of a stroke in March 1966.

        Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
      • Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 – d. Penang, 1966) Untitled; House With Pots 1; Going To Work
        Aug. 22, 2021

        Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 – d. Penang, 1966) Untitled; House With Pots 1; Going To Work

        Est: RM2,500 - RM5,000

        On offer here are a set of three paintings by Kuo Juping each offers a different setting. The artist effectively illustrates the tranquil nature and steady rhythm of village life within all three pieces. Kuo Juping (the name was taken after a water plant) was in the pioneering batch of students at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore but had to return a year before graduating to tend to his father’s import-export business, Sing Guan Thye & Co. He was a founding member of Thursday Art Group and Penang Chinese Art Club in 1936. He was one of the first artists to paint ordinary people and places such as rubber estates, oil palms / cocoa plantations, paddy fields, kampung and make-shift hawker centres. He was a mentor of Tan Choon Ghee (1930-2010) who became a legendary watercolourist.

        Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
      • Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 – d. Penang, 1966) Bridge, c. 1963
        Mar. 21, 2021

        Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 – d. Penang, 1966) Bridge, c. 1963

        Est: RM7,000 - RM12,000

        This intimate landscape depicts the rural countryside and neighbourhood in bold brushwork. Thick solid branches frame the composition while a bridge leads toward a vast mountain view in the distance. With a nuanced palette of colours, Juping created a poetic and tranquil scene expressing his love for the countryside and nature. Kuo Juping (the name was taken after a water plant) was in the pioneering batch of students at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Art in Singapore but had to return a year before graduating to tend to his father’s import-export business, Sing Guan Thye & Co. He was a founding member of Thursday Art Group and Penang Chinese Art Club in 1936. He was one of the first artists to paint ordinary people and places such as rubber estates, oil palms / cocoa plantations, paddy fields, kampung and make-shift hawker centres. He was a mentor of Tan Choon Ghee (1930-2010) who became a legendary watercolourist.

        Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
      • Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 – d. Penang, 1966) Portrait Of A Boy
        Nov. 15, 2020

        Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 – d. Penang, 1966) Portrait Of A Boy

        Est: RM7,000 - RM12,000

        Celebrated Nanyang painter Kuo Juping illustrates a portrait of a young boy in brown suspenders with a shirt. The shirt looks worn out suggesting a long day although his hair are neatly parted to the right. A smart-looking handsome boy, with his kempt hair, wearing his favourite shirt (trend of that era), looking straight into the eyes of the viewers. He is confident, mature, polite, well-mannered, responsible, poised to be the future pillar of the nation, contributing to the country, and at the same time taking good care of his family. Kuo Juping (the name was taken after a water plant) was in the pioneering batch of students at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Art in Singapore but had to return a year before graduating to tend to his father’s import-export business, Sing Guan Thye & Co. He was a founding member of Thursday Art Group and Penang Chinese Art Club in 1936. He was one of the first artists to paint the ordinary people and places such as rubber estates, oil palms / cocoa plantations, paddy fields, kampung and make-shift hawker centres. He was a mentor of Tan Choon Ghee (1930-2010) who became a legendary watercolourist. Kuo died of a stroke in March 1966 at the age of 58.

        Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
      • Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 – d. Penang, 1966) House On A Slope
        Nov. 15, 2020

        Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 – d. Penang, 1966) House On A Slope

        Est: RM3,800 - RM7,500

        Depicted in the scene is a house built on a hill slope surrounded by mother nature. It must be peaceful and quiet to live here, far away from the busy city life and concrete jungle. The colours range from shades of green and brown, rendering stillness in this work. Kuo Juping (the name was taken after a water plant) was in the pioneering batch of students at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Art in Singapore but had to return a year before graduating to tend to his father’s import-export business, Sing Guan Thye & Co. He was a founding member of Thursday Art Group and Penang Chinese Art Club in 1936. He was one of the first artists to paint the ordinary people and places such as rubber estates, oil palms / cocoa plantations, paddy fields, kampung and make-shift hawker centres. He was a mentor of Tan Choon Ghee (1930-2010) who became a legendary watercolourist. Kuo died of a stroke in March 1966 at the age of 58.

        Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
      • Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 – d. Penang, 1966) Lady Entering Home
        Nov. 15, 2020

        Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 – d. Penang, 1966) Lady Entering Home

        Est: RM4,000 - RM8,000

        As the title suggests, Lady Entering Home depicts a woman walking towards her house while another person waits for her arrival at the entrance. The artist effectively illustrates the tranquil nature and steady rhythm of village life using muted colours. Kuo Juping (the name was taken after a water plant) was in the pioneering batch of students at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Art in Singapore but had to return a year before graduating to tend to his father’s import-export business, Sing Guan Thye & Co. He was a founding member of Thursday Art Group and Penang Chinese Art Club in 1936. He was one of the first artists to paint the ordinary people and places such as rubber estates, oil palms / cocoa plantations, paddy fields, kampung and make-shift hawker centres. He was a mentor of Tan Choon Ghee (1930-2010) who became a legendary watercolourist. Kuo died of a stroke in March 1966 at the age of 58.

        Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
      • Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 - d. 1966) My Daughter Playing Piano
        Aug. 23, 2020

        Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 - d. 1966) My Daughter Playing Piano

        Est: RM18,000 - RM32,000

        The name of the girl in a white frock with broad bluish bands playing the piano is Serene Koay Chooi Hoong. She is Kuo Ju Ping’s (nee Koay Seng Chye) daughter from his second marriage to May Fong Sien, who was an art teacher (Kuo had another daughter, born 1944, from his first marriage; his second marriage was around the early 1950s). For a girl to be able to take piano lessons during the 1960s, it must have been a luxury. Because of prejudices still prevalent those days, some girls don’t even get to be sent to school. The local music scene in Penang at that time was ruled by Jimmy Boyle and Paul Augustin. But Kuo, who took over his father’s import-export (rattan, cloves and nutmegs) business, Sin Guan Thye and Company, in Victoria Street, was fairly well-to-do, although he had to abruptly stop his studies as a pioneering batch of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Art (NAFA) in Singapore, to return to tend to the business. Kuo died of a stroke in March 1966 at the age of 58, but Serene Koay remembered him fondly: “He used to bring along a sketch-book whenever he went. While waiting to fetch me after school, or at the seaside or on a business trip to Balik Pulau, he would doodle on his sketchbook. I always admired his concentration in painting.” (Kuo Ju Ping Memorial Exhibition, Penang State Art Gallery, Aug 5-30, 1997, by Dato’ Dr. Tan Chee Khuan). Even though he left NAFA a year ahead of graduation, Kuo was already sound in all departments of the art field. He was a founding member of the Penang Chinese Art Club and was a mentor of Tan Choon Ghee (1930-2010), who became a legendary watercolorist.

        Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
      • Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 - d. 1966) House With Pots 1; Untitled
        Aug. 23, 2020

        Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 - d. 1966) House With Pots 1; Untitled

        Est: RM9,000 - RM16,000

        The artist effectively illustrates the tranquil nature and steady rhythm of village life. House With Pots 1 is a rustic scene portraying traditional architectural styles that are gradually being lost. The drawing sketch (watercolour) and the final outcome (painted with oil on canvas), a perfect combination set for collection, illustrating the process of how an idea / inspiration / theme to paint is captured, and realized. Kuo Juping (the name was taken after a water plant) was in the pioneering batch of students at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Art in Singapore but had to return a year before graduating to tend to his father’s import-export business, Sing Guan Thye & Co. He was a founding member of Thursday Art Group and Penang Chinese Art Club in 1936. He was one of the first artists to paint the ordinary people and places such as rubber estates, oil palms / cocoa plantations, paddy fields, kampung and make-shift hawker centres. He was a mentor of Tan Choon Ghee (1930-2010) who became a legendary watercolourist. Kuo died of a stroke in March 1966 at the age of 58.

        Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
      • Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 - d. 1966) Rendezvous Under The Tree
        Aug. 23, 2020

        Kuo Juping (b. China, 1908 - d. 1966) Rendezvous Under The Tree

        Est: RM2,500 - RM4,500

        The artwork depicts a group of people gathering under a large tree. Some of them commute by bicycle as it can be seen leaning against the trunk. This piece brings back so many childhood memories before technologies came in the picture; these were the past time activities either we play under the tree, catching up or talk for hours. Kuo Juping (the name was taken after a water plant) was in the pioneering batch of students at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Art in Singapore but had to return a year before graduating to tend to his father’s import-export business, Sing Guan Thye & Co. He was a founding member of Thursday Art Group and Penang Chinese Art Club in 1936. He was one of the first artists to paint the ordinary people and places such as rubber estates, oil palms / cocoa plantations, paddy fields, kampung and make-shift hawker centres. He was a mentor of Tan Choon Ghee (1930-2010) who became a legendary watercolourist. Kuo died of a stroke in March 1966 at the age of 58.

        Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
      • Kuo Juping (b. 1908 - d. 1966) Untitled, undated
        Jun. 30, 2019

        Kuo Juping (b. 1908 - d. 1966) Untitled, undated

        Est: RM9,000 - RM16,000

        The Penang waterfront conurbation was a favourite haunt of Kuo Juping as it was near his business residence, an import-export trading company inherited from his father, the Sin Guan Thye Company in Victoria Street. There, he started honing his cross-cultural portraits of ordinary people - Indian jetty workers or stevedores and cattle minders, Chinese traders and coolies and trishaw riders, Indian-Muslim chettiars and goldsmiths, Achehnese settlers in the Muslim enclave of Lebuh Acheh… The Kapitan Keling Mosque stands as an imposing landmark in the business district closely tied to the history of the Chulias. The main means of getting round were by cars, scooters (Lambretta or Vespa), trishaws and bicycles. A somewhat similar scene can be gleaned on page 33 of the Kuo Ju-Ping Memorial Exhibition (Penang State Art Gallery, Aug 5-30, 1997) catalogue. Kuo Juping was from the pioneering batch of students studying directly under founder Lim Hak Tai at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Art, Singapore, in early 1941 but he had to return home during the Japanese Occupation in December that year. He formed the Thursday Art Group and Penang Chinese Art Club in 1936.

        Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
      • Kuo Juping (b. 1908 - d. 1966) Going To Work; House With Pots 1, undated
        Jun. 30, 2019

        Kuo Juping (b. 1908 - d. 1966) Going To Work; House With Pots 1, undated

        Est: RM3,000 - RM5,000

        In this set of 2 works, the artist effectively illustrates the tranquil nature and steady rhythm of village life. House With Pots 1 is a rustic scene portraying traditional architectural styles that are gradually being lost. Amidst wooden houses, long poles scatter in various directions as a support. Going To Work illustrates a lady surrounded by lush tropical greenery. The scenes are nostalgic, showing the relaxed movement of time. Kuo Juping (the name was taken after a water plant) was in the pioneering batch of students at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Art (NAFA) in Singapore but had to return a year before graduating to tend to his father’s import-export business, Sing Guan Thye & Co. He was a founding member of Thursday Art Group and Penang Chinese Art Club in 1936. He was one of the first artists to paint the ordinary people and places such as rubber estates, oil palms / cocoa plantations, paddy fields, kampung and make-shift hawker centres. He was a mentor of Tan Choon Ghee (1930-2010) who became a legendary watercolourist. Kuo died of a stroke in March 1966 at the age of 58.

        Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
      • Kuo Juping (b. 1908 - d. 1966) Untitled, 1964
        Mar. 24, 2019

        Kuo Juping (b. 1908 - d. 1966) Untitled, 1964

        Est: RM12,000 - RM20,000

        Kuo Juping was the painter of everyday life and portrayed landscapes of simple beauty, giving the viewer a glimpse of old Malaya. His grounding in academic art enabled him to execute solid and robust works. In this painting, the artist depicts a group of cows amidst a lush tropical forest in rich colours, with the effects of light. Cows are deeply respected in Hindu culture for their gentle nature and agricultural uses, and in this work he captures the animals with a balanced composition, and a sense of peace. Kuo Juping (the name was taken after a water plant) was in the pioneering batch of students at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Art (NAFA) in Singapore but had to return a year before graduating to tend to his father’s import-export business, Sing Guan Thye & Co. He was a founding member of Thursday Art Group and Penang Chinese Art Club in 1936. He was one of the first artists to paint the ordinary people and places such as rubber estates, oil palms / cocoa plantations, padi-fields, kampung and make-shift hawker centres. He was a mentor of Tan Choon Ghee (1930-2010) who became a legendary watercolourist. Kuo died of a stroke in March 1966 at the age of 58. 44 x 74cm

        Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
      • Kuo Juping (b. 1908 - d. 1966) My Neighbour, undated
        Mar. 24, 2019

        Kuo Juping (b. 1908 - d. 1966) My Neighbour, undated

        Est: RM8,000 - RM14,000

        The artwork depicts a traditional building with an imposing high gateway, surrounded by lush greenery. The colours range from shades of green and brown. On one side several long planks were stacked, indicating that the owner could have been in the sawn wood business. Kuo Juping (the name was taken after a water plant) was in the pioneering batch of students at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Art (NAFA) in Singapore but had to return a year before graduating to tend to his father’s import-export business, Sing Guan Thye & Co. He was a founding member of Thursday Art Group and Penang Chinese Art Club in 1936. 50 x 39cm

        Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
      • Kuo Juping (b. 1908 - d. 1966) Untitled, undated
        Mar. 24, 2019

        Kuo Juping (b. 1908 - d. 1966) Untitled, undated

        Est: RM6,000 - RM10,000

        Kuo Juping captures a vibrant street scene in his signature style. In this work, a peaceful street and its surrounding architecture is illustrated among rows of trees. Through harmonious colours of green and ochre, the artist captures the play of light and shade. Kuo Juping (the name was taken after a water plant) was in the pioneering batch of students at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Art (NAFA) in Singapore but had to return a year before graduating to tend to his father’s import-export business, Sing Guan Thye & Co. He was a founding member of Thursday Art Group and Penang Chinese Art Club in 1936. He was one of the first artists to paint the ordinary people and places such as rubber estates, oil palms / cocoa plantations, padi-fields, kampung and make-shift hawker centres. He was a mentor of Tan Choon Ghee (1930-2010) who became a legendary watercolourist. Kuo died of a stroke in March 1966 at the age of 58. 44 x 62cm

        Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
      • KUO JUPING (b. 1908 - d. 1966) Untitled, undated
        Oct. 28, 2018

        KUO JUPING (b. 1908 - d. 1966) Untitled, undated

        Est: RM8,000 - RM14,000

        Celebrated Nanyang painter Kuo Juping illustrates a figure of a lady painting outdoors. A polka dot dress and stiletto heels is worn by the lady, making her look charming and confident. Big brush strokes were used to create the background of this piece allowing the lady to stand out and become the main focus of the composition. Warm tones of earth colours were used to suggest a romantic ambiance. Live drawing was one of the artist's favourite past time activities back in the days. Kuo Juping (the name was taken after a water plant) was in the pioneering batch of students at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Art (NAFA) in Singapore but had to return a year before graduating to tend to his father's import-export business, Sing Guan Thye & Co. He was a founding member of Thursday Art Group and Penang Chinese Art Club in 1936. He was one of the first artists to paint the ordinary people and places such as rubber estates, oil palms / cocoa plantations, padi-fields, kampung and make-shift hawker centres. He was a mentor of Tan Choon Ghee (1930-2010) who became a legendary watercolourist. Kuo died of a stroke in March 1966 at the age of 58.

        Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
      • KUO JUPING (b. 1908 - d. 1966) Chatting Under Banana Trees, undated
        Oct. 28, 2018

        KUO JUPING (b. 1908 - d. 1966) Chatting Under Banana Trees, undated

        Est: RM12,000 - RM20,000

        Before the advent of shopping malls and proliferation of motorized vehicles, it was common for prospective lovers of Malay origin to chat outside the stilt houses, usually under the cover of banana or coconut trees grown in abundance in the villages. Kuo Juping, nee Khor Seng Chye, was one of the first artists to have broken through racial barriers in depicting not only Chinese but also Indians and Malays, although in stereotyped occupations. In an extract from an interview by Datin Ivy Lee with Rosyln Yip, Kuo's daughter living in Sydney (The Art of Khaw Sia & Kuo Juping, Dato' Dr. Tan Chee Khuan, The Art Gallery, Penang, 2014, p. 248-249), Yip, herself a London-trained artist, said: “He (Juping) was fond of sketching kampung scenes, Nature, town life, ordinary people at work or play or eating, and also, street hawkers.” Kuo Juping was in the pioneering batch of students at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Art in Singapore but had to return to help out his father's import-export (rattan, cloves and nutmegs) business, Sin Guan Thye and Company, in Victoria Street. He was a founding member of the Penang Chinese Art Club and the Thursday Art Group, and was a mentor of Tan Choon Ghee (1930-2010), who later became a legend in watercolours. Kuo died of a stroke in March 1966 at the age of 58.

        Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
      • KUO JUPING (b. 1908 - d. 1966) Untitled, undated
        Oct. 28, 2018

        KUO JUPING (b. 1908 - d. 1966) Untitled, undated

        Est: RM4,000 - RM7,000

        In this work, the artist effectively illustrates the tranquil nature and steady rhythm of village life. It is a rustic scene portraying traditional architectural styles that are gradually being lost. Amidst wooden houses, long poles scatter in various directions as a support, ultimately leading the viewer to a splendid mountain view in the distance. The scene is nostalgic, showing the relaxed movement of time. Kuo Juping (the name was taken after a water plant) was in the pioneering batch of students at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Art (NAFA) in Singapore but had to return a year before graduating to tend to his father's import-export business, Sing Guan Thye & Co. He was a founding member of Thursday Art Group and Penang Chinese Art Club in 1936. He was one of the first artists to paint the ordinary people and places such as rubber estates, oil palms / cocoa plantations, padi-fields, kampung and make-shift hawker centres. He was a mentor of Tan Choon Ghee (1930-2010) who became a legendary watercolourist. Kuo died of a stroke in March 1966 at the age of 58.

        Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
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