Teng Chuah Thean Sold at Auction Prices

CHUAH THEAN TENG, DATO : Bullock Cart, 1970’s

Dato’ Chuah Thean Teng is a renowned Malaysian artist, known for his striking batik paintings. His “Mother and Child” series is one of his most iconic works, which is characterised by its tender and emotional depiction of the bond between a mother and her child. The series features a variety of compositions, but all of them depict the intimate relationship between a mother and her child in a serene and peaceful setting. The mother is often shown holding her child close, with a look of love and tenderness on her face. The children, on the other hand, are shown with a look of contentment and trust in their mother. In this painting, the mother, who is a durian seller, appears to have her son strapped to her back, while she tends to customers.

Chuah Thean Teng (Malaysian 1914-2008) "The Durian…

Chuah Thean Teng (Malaysian 1914-2008) "The Durian Seller" mixed media on batik signed lower right, 90 x 56 cm Chuah Thean Teng is widely regarded as the "father of batik art" who developed batik as a means of painting;[2][8][9] "his adaptation of the traditional batik medium into an accepted form of painting ... elevated the status of batik as a craft to an art medium."[10] Chuah's self-portrait, which uses batik to depict a "very strong gaze showing his (Chuah's) sense of determination", was the first artwork to be registered in the National Collection of visual art at the National Gallery Singapore.[11][12] In December 2022, a book "Exploring Southeast Asia with Chuah Thean Teng: Father of Batik Painting" illustrating Chuah's life and his contributions to Southeast Asian art was published.[13] Solo Exhibitions 1955, Arts Council, Penang 1959, Commonwealth Institute, London 1964, Pomeroy Galleries, San Francisco, California, USA 1965, Retrospective exhibition, National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur 1967, Stichting Twents-Gelders Textielmuseum, Enschede, Holland 1972, The Gallery, Palm Springs, California, USA 1977, Churchill Art Gallery, Perth, Australia 1994, Retrospective exhibition, Penang State Art Gallery, Penang 2008, Retrospective exhibition, Balai Seni Lukis Negara, Kuala Lumpur (now the Balai Seni Visual Negara)

Chuah Thean Teng (Chinese/Malaysian, 1914-2008) Woman with Durian, batik panel 蔡天定（中國/馬來西亞，1914-2008）女子與榴蓮 繪畫

Color batik on cloth, signed lower left Depicting two young women and a child with baskets of fruit and a durian loosely sandwich-mounted between glass, in a period lightbox frame Accompanied by a contemporary catalogue of the artist's work, published by Yahong Art Shop, Penang, Malaya H: 21 1/2 17 1/4 in. (panel); H: 23 in.; W: 18 1/2 in.; D: 4 3/4 in. (lightbox frame) Provenance Acquired by the present owners in Penang, Malaya, February 1972

CHUAH THEAN TENG, DATO : Threshing Rice, 1980’s

In terms of Dato’ Chuah Thean Teng’s Threshing Rice piece, this is a work that is quintessentially Teng (as he is affectionately known). All the hallmarks of gesture, form and colours are depicted: colour harmony with the subtle nuances of red, blue and green, the close-cropped composition alongside the elegant configurations. According to Frank Sullivan, “His (referring to Dato’ Chuah Thean Teng) productivity in batik painting is enormous...never satisfied, he is always experimenting, seeking to give new depth and range to his batik art.”

CHUAH THEAN TENG, DATO : Woman with a Rooster, 1970’s

Dato Chuah Thean Teng’s artistic prowess extends beyond technical mastery; it encompasses the preservation and promotion of Malaysian culture. Through his batik paintings, he captures the essence of Malaysian heritage, depicting scenes of daily life, traditional ceremonies, and iconic landmarks. His art serves as a visual narrative, celebrating the diverse cultural tapestry of Malaysia and preserving it for future generations. This painting departs from the typical mannerisms of the artist’s paintings, presenting a distinct style featuring a woman balancing a vessel on her head while holding a rooster in her arms. Crafted in the 1970’s, this painting is perhaps one of Dato Chuah Thean Teng’s early works.

CHUAH THEAN TENG, DATO : Boys, 1986

An iconic piece by Dato’ Chuah Thean Teng, this ‘Boys’ painting showcases one of Teng’s favourite motifs – the sphere. The womb-like sphere is used to compact the image, making it more intimate and endearing. Within the circular shape is a group of boys, dressed in the same style of shorts and shirts are engrossed in some activity. Dato’ Chuah Thean Teng is the world-acknowledged Father of Batik Painting, especially after his break- through exhibition in 1955. He is undisputedly a recognised artist internationally after his successful first exhibition abroad at the Commonwealth Institute in England in 1959.

Chuah Thean Teng (Malaysian, 1914-2008) Painted Batik, Woman With Vessel, Herbs & Chicken, H 22'' W 17''

A painted batik by Chuah Thean Teng. Depicting a woman with a vessel, herbs and a chicken. Artist's signature to the lower right. Frame measures H 28" x L 23". Provenance: from a Monroe, Michigan estate.Provenance: From a Monroe, Michigan estate.

CHUAH THEAN TENG, DATO : Mother and Child (Durian Seller), 1970’s

Dato' Chuah Thean Teng is a renowned Malaysian artist, known for his striking batik paintings. His “Mother and Child” series is one of his most iconic works, which is characterised by its tender and emotional depiction of the bond between a mother and her child. The series features a variety of compositions, but all of them depict the intimate relationship between a mother and her child in a serene and peaceful setting. The mother is often shown holding her child close, with a look of love and tenderness on her face. The children, on the other hand, are shown with a look of contentment and trust in their mother. In this painting, the mother, who is a durian seller, appears to have her son strapped to her back, while she tends to customers.

CHUAH THEAN TENG, DATO : Penang Village Scene, 1970

Dato’ Chuah Thean Teng was born in China in 1914, where he studied at the Amoy Art School. Teng first started in this medium in 1953 and therefore he can be considered the father of Batik Painting in Malaysia. He says, “Art is the vision of the artist, his creation, imagination and expression reflecting the artist’s many degrees of feeling. It is an interplay of both emotional and visual expression where the illusions created convey the statements across. And through the different modes of expressions, we are compelled to seek some standard of value to enable us to distinguish between them. This distinction is called the transformation of things.” In terms of Dato’ Chuah Thean Teng’s ‘Penang Village Scene, 1970’ piece, this is a work that is quintessentially Teng (as he is affectionately known). All the hallmarks of gesture, form and colours are depicted — colour harmony of dark and light green, the close-cropped composition of coconut trees and the wooden houses on stilts alongside buffalo configurations and a villager outfitted in traditional attire. According to Frank Sullivan, “His (referring to Dato’ Chuah Thean Teng) productivity in batik painting is enormous...never satisfied, he is always experimenting, seeking to give new depth and range to his batik art.”

CHUAH THEAN TENG, DATO : Mother and Child

Themes on physical labour and mother and child are often seen in Teng's vast output. Here, the artist’s hallmark imagery of the Mother and Child departs from is usual depiction of women and children set within the rural Malaysian village scenes, the figures in this scene are at the foreground of the artwork, with a plain crackling background. Teng’s mother and child series illustrates his profound respect for the nurturing and even life-giving roles that women play. The artist’s early training in Chinese painting served him well technically and also influenced his compositions, and the colours he used. As Chinese philosophy emphasises balance, many of his works also are balanced in nature, or are circular compositions, promoting balance and equilibrium. SINGAPORE

Chuah Thean Teng, Dato' (b. China, 1914 - 2008) Make-Up, 1980s

Teng’s memorable compositions sought to celebrate the virtues of motherly devotion, concentrating his technique on the use of batik. Characterized by bold outlines painted in flowing lines and a remarkable sense of colour and design, Teng’s distinctive style marks him as an important modern artist of his time. Here, mother and daughter form a deep and loving bond, as the mother’s gesture delicately attaches a flower onto her daughter’s hair. They are both elegantly dressed in ornate fabrics, surrounded by luxuriant flowers which carries a sense of optimism, and hope for the future generation. In this scene, Teng captures the tender moments of togetherness and emotional harmony through opulent colours of green, yellow and blues. They are making up and dressing up for a festival celebration. Dato’ Chuah Thean Teng is a legend for his teeming imagination in his repertoire of batik art he invented in 1953, and invested it with different styles and techniques over the years. He was hailed by Professor Michael Sullivan as the ‘Father of Batik Painting’ (Chinese Art In The 20th Century, 1959). He was honoured with a Retrospective by the National Art Gallery (NAG), Kuala Lumpur, in 1965, and another by the Penang State Art Gallery in 1994. The NAG organised his Memorial exhibition in 2008. The Penang State Government bestowed him the ‘Dato’ title in 1998, and the ‘Living Heritage Award’ in 2005. On the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of the coronation of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II in 1977, he was invited for the Commonwealth Artists of Fame exhibition in London, after an exhibition at the Commonwealth Institute in London in 1959. His first overseas solo was in the United States in 1964. Born in China, where he had a short incomplete art tutelage at the Xiamen (Amoy) Art Institute, he settled in Penang in 1926, after a brief visit when aged 7. During the Japanese Occupation, he made political woodcuts under the pseudonym Choo Ting, but all had been destroyed. He set up the Yahong Art Gallery in 1953 and moved it to its present lot in Batu Ferringhi in 1974.

CHUAH THEAN TENG, DATO' : Misty Morning, 1960's

Dato’ Chuah Thean Teng, known as the Father of Batik Art, was a master storyteller. His paintings offered not only a glimpse of the olden days, but also expressed the cultural identity of Malaysians. Complex batik making methods using wax and dyes allowed Teng to create rich blue hues that captured the serenity of village life in this radiant composition of the local landscape. Dato’ Chuah Thean Teng is a legend for his teeming imagination in his repertoire of batik art he invented in 1953, and invested it with different styles and techniques over the years. He was hailed by Professor Michael Sullivan as the Father of Batik Painting (Chinese Art In The 20th Century, 1959). He was honoured with a Retrospective by the National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, in 1965, and another by the Penang State Art Gallery in 1994. The NAG organised his Memorial exhibition in 2008. The Penang State Government bestowed him the ‘Dato’ title in 1998, and the ‘Living Heritage Award’ in 2005. On the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of the coronation of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II in 1977, he was invited for the Commonwealth Artists of Fame exhibition in London, after an exhibition at the Commonwealth Institute in London in 1959. His first overseas solo was in the United States in 1964. Born in China, where he had a short incomplete art tutelage at the Xiamen (Amoy) Art Institute, he settled in Penang in 1926, after a brief visit when aged 7.

Chuah Thean Teng (1914-2008) Market Scene

Chuah Thean Teng (1914-2008) Market Scene signed batik painting 71 by 73.6 cm. 28 by 29 in. For further information on this lot please visit the Bonhams website

CHUAH THEAN TENG, CHINESE/MALAYSIAN 1914-2008, UNTITLED, Batik dye on cloth, 17 1/2 x 22 in. (44.45 x 55.88 cm.), Frame: 23 x 27 1/4 in. (58.42 x 69.22 cm.)

CHUAH THEAN TENG CHINESE/MALAYSIAN, 1914-2008 UNTITLED Batik dye on cloth Lower right signed: Teng

CHUAH THEAN TENG, DATO : Penang Fishing Village, 1970’s

Dato’ Chuah Thean Teng, known as the Father of Batik Art, was a master storyteller. His paintings offered not only a glimpse of the olden days, but also expressed the cultural identity of Malaysians. Fishing villages were formed by groupings of wooden houses built on sturdy stilts. The pitched roofs are made with natural material that provides ventilation. Complex batik making methods using wax and dyes allowed Teng to create rich blue hues that captured the serenity of village life in this radiant composition of the local landscape. Dato’ Chuah Thean Teng is a legend for his teeming imagination in his repertoire of batik art he invented in 1953, and invested it with different styles and techniques over the years. He was hailed by Professor Michael Sullivan as the Father of Batik Painting (Chinese Art In The 20th Century, 1959). He was honoured with a Retrospective by the National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, in 1965, and another by the Penang State Art Gallery in 1994. The NAG organised his Memorial exhibition in 2008. The Penang State Government bestowed him the ‘Dato’ title in 1998, and the ‘Living Heritage Award’ in 2005. On the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of the coronation of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II in 1977, he was invited for the Commonwealth Artists of Fame exhibition in London, after an exhibition at the Commonwealth Institute in London in 1959. His first overseas solo was in the United States in 1964. Born in China, where he had a short incomplete art tutelage at the Xiamen (Amoy) Art Institute, he settled in Penang in 1926, after a brief visit when aged 7.

Chuah Thean Teng 蔡天定 (1914 – 2008), Figures in a field.

Signed (lower left), Batik print. Dim. 58 x 44,5 cm. Estimate: € 1500 - € 2000.

CHUAH THEAN TENG, DATO' : Boy Playing Flute by the Riverside

‘Boy Playing Flute at Riverside’ is an endearing scene of a simpler time. At the foreground, a boy, dressed in a red baju Melayu and songkok is seen leaning against a tree and playing his flute by the riverside. In the background, a lady dressed only in a sarong at a simple wooden pier is cleansing herself. Far in the distance, wooden houses on stilts are encapsulated by coconut trees. The artist portrays the simplicity of life way back when in his masterful batik medium. Dato’ Chuah Thean Teng is the world- acknowledged founder of Batik Painting and had his breakthrough exhibition in 1955. Studying at the Xiamen (Amoy) Art Institute in China, his paintings, Two Of A Kind (1968) and Tell You A Secret (1987), took on iconic status when selected for Unicef greeting cards. He was also honoured with a retrospective exhibition by the National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur in 1965 and by the Penang State Art Gallery in 1994. His major works are on show at Yahong Art Gallery in Batu Ferringhi in Penang, which is a veritable museum also showcasing the batik works of his sons and grandsons.

TENG Chuah Thean (Malaysian 1914-2008), Boy Playing Flute at Riverside, Batik, 58x46cm

TENG, Chuah Thean (Malaysian 1914-2008) Boy Playing Flute at Riverside Signed 'Teng' lower left. Circa 1973 (Singapore newspaper of that year found behind batik) Batik 58x46cm

CHUAH THEAN TENG, DATO : Lady in Blue, 1983

When it comes to the artist’s landscape works, there is an undeniable charm. His perceptive mind and keen eye saw the extraordinary in the ordinary which he translated brilliantly onto batik. Everyday events that others are jaded with suddenly take on a new dimension and emotion; children playing, women toiling in the paddy fields, farm creatures, picturesque fishing villages, men at work, all sorts of homely scenes. His lines are bold and sure, his figures sometimes flat and one-dimensional and flooded with mystical graduations. Teng’s landscape illustrations are simple, honest with no pretensions of grandeur and exhibit the subjects’ daily antics. His draftsmanship acquired sweep and rhythm; colours flared from his artwork. His themes opened up new vistas of Malaysian life, not only the scene but the people and all their daily activities. Women feeding chickens, children playing, farmers gathering the harvest — all warm human, simple and everyday subjects no other Malaysian artists seemed to have tackled with such relish before. His paintings run the gamut from playful, touching, dramatic to personal and intimate. He hardly strayed from his beloved kampung scenes where he spent so many happy hours and languid afternoons. It takes a true master to reflect affection, perception and empathy on his medium. Through his paintings depicting rustic scenes of Malaysian folks going about their simple way of life, Teng’s works helped put Malaysian batik in the annals of batik history that could be traced as far back to the 8th century.

Chuah Thean Teng (Malaysian, 1914-2008) 'Mother and Child'

Chuah Thean Teng (Malaysian, 1914-2008) 'Mother and Child' signed 'Teng' (lower right) batik on fabric 55 x 43.8cm (21 5/8 x 17 1/4in). For further information on this lot please visit the Bonhams website

CHUAH THEAN TENG, DATO' : Threshing Rice, 1980's

Dato’ Chuah Thean Teng was born in China in 1914, where he studied at the Amoy Art School. Teng first started in this medium in 1953 and therefore he can be considered the father of Batik Painting in Malaysia. He says, “Art is the vision of the artist, his creation, imagination and expression reflecting the artist’s many degrees of feeling. It is an interplay of both emotional and visual expression where the illusions created convey the statements across. And through the different modes of expressions, we are compelled to seek some standard of value to enable us to distinguish between them. This distinction is called the transformation of things.” In terms of Dato’ Chuah Thean Teng’s Threshing Rice piece, this is a work that is quintessentially Teng (as he is affectionately known). All the hallmarks of gesture, form and colours are depicted: colour harmony with the subtle nuances of red, blue and green, the close-cropped composition alongside the elegant configurations. According to Frank Sullivan, “His (referring to Dato’ Chuah Thean Teng) productivity in batik painting is enormous...never satisfied, he is always experimenting, seeking to give new depth and range to his batik art.”

CHUAH THEAN TENG, DATO' : Mother and Children, 1983

Teng, as he was popularly known, was born in China in 1914, where he studied at the Amoy Art School. Although batik painting has been around for hundreds of years, it is remarkable that no one before Teng had ever thought of adapting this age-old craft as a medium of fine art. Teng first started this medium in 1953 and therefore can be regarded as the Father of Batik Painting in Malaysia. According to Frank Sullivan, “His productivity in batik painting is enormous… never satisfied, he is always experimenting, seeking to give new depth and range to his batik art.” Teng received international fame in 1968 when his painting entitled ‘Two of a kind’ was selected by UNICEF for its greeting cards selections. Twenty years later, his painting ‘Tell you a secret’ was again selected by UNICEF. Teng’s various batik portrayal of Mother and Children are always heart-warming and tugs at one’s heartstrings.

CHUAH THEAN TENG, DATO' : Mother and Children, 1990's

In terms of Dato’ Chuah Thean Teng’s Mother and Children theme, this is a work that is quintessentially Teng (as he is affectionately known). All the hallmarks of gesture, form and colours are depicted: colour harmony with the subtle nuances of red, blue and green, the close-cropped composition, the elegant configurations, supple forms of the mother to emphasise her love and affection for her children. Art is the vision of the artist, his creation, imagination and expression reflecting the artist’s many degrees of feeling. It is an interplay of both emotional and visual expression where the illusions created convey the statements across. And through the different modes of expressions, we are compelled to seek some standard of value to enable us distinguish between them. This distinction is called the transformation of things.” – Dato’ Chuah Thean Teng. Teng was born in China in 1914, where he studied at the Amoy Art School. Teng first started in this medium in 1953 and therefore he can be considered the father of Batik Painting in Malaysia. According to Frank Sullivan, “His productivity in batik painting is enormous...never satisfied, he is always experimenting, seeking to give new depth and range to his batik art.”

Chuah Thean Teng Batik Mother and Children Lightbox

Teng, Chuah Thean (Malaysian, 1914-2008), Nursing Mother and Children, batik dye on cloth, signed lower right, undated, 36 x 23.5 inches, in a frame that attaches to a lightbox with slots for 4 fluorescent tube lights.

CHUAH THEAN TENG, DATO’ : Village Scene

Known as the Father of Batik Painting in Malaysia, Dato Chuah Thean Teng earned his stripes from his use of batik as a medium of fine art since 1953. Although batik painting has been around for hundreds of years, it is remarkable that no one before Teng had ever thought of adapting this age-old craft as a medium of fine art. His artistic proclivities includes landscapes, people and even animals, often a cultural education of the way of life in a particular community, their relationships and beliefs. This piece is as its name indicates, a village scene that depicts three wooden houses on stilts and villagers about their daily antics.

CHUAH THEAN TENG, DATO’ : The Paddy Farmers, 1980’s

Dato’ Chuah Thean Teng is the worldacknowledged founder of Batik Painting and had his breakthrough exhibition in 1955. Studying at the Xiamen (Amoy) Art Institute in China, his paintings, Two Of A Kind (1968) and Tell You A Secret (1987), took on iconic status when selected for Unicef greeting cards. He was also honoured with a retrospective exhibition by the National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur in 1965 and by the Penang State Art Gallery in 1994. His major works are on show at Yahong Art Gallery in Batu Ferrringhi in Penang, which is a veritable museum also showcasing the batik works of his sons and grandsons.

CHUAN THEAN TENG (1914-2008) TWO YOUNG WOMEN WITH YOUNG CHILDREN Dyed cotton in batik technique

CHUAN THEAN TENG (1914-2008) TWO YOUNG WOMEN WITH YOUNG CHILDREN Dyed cotton in batik technique Depicting two young women with two small children, signed 'Teng' to the lower left hand corner. The artwork 90cm x 56cm. The frame 98cm x 64.5cm

CHUAH THEAN TENG, DATO : Mother and Daughter

In terms of Dato’ Chuah Thean Teng’s Mother and Child theme, this is a work that is quintessential Teng (as he is affectionally known). All the hallmarks of gesture, form and colours are depicted: colour harmony with the subtle nuances of green and blue, the closecropped composition, the elegant configurations, supple forms of the mother to emphasise the love and affection. Teng is the world-acknowledged founder of Batik Painting and he never looked back after his break-through exhibition in 1955. His paintings, Two Of A Kind (1968) and Tell You A Secret (1987), took on iconic status when selected for Unicef greeting cards. He studied at the Xiamen (Amoy) Art Institute in China. He was honoured with a retrospective exhibition by the National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur in 1965 and by the Penang State Art Gallery in 1994. The Penang State Government conferred him the title “Dato” in 1998 and he received the Live Heritage Award in 2005. The National Art Gallery gave him a memorial exhibition in 2009. His major works are on show at Yahong Art Gallery in Batu Ferrringhi in Penang, which is a veritable museum also showcasing the batik works of his sons and grandsons.

CHUAH THEAN TENG, DATO : Mother and Children, 1980

CHUAH THEAN TENG (MALAYSIA, 1914-2008) - Fishing Village

CHUAH THEAN TENG (MALAYSIA, 1914-2008) Fishing Village batik dye on cloth laid on paper 61 x 45 cm. (24 x 17 3/4 in.)

CHUAH THEAN TENG (MALAYSIA, 1914-2008) MOONLIGHT

CHUAH THEAN TENG (MALAYSIA, 1914-2008) MOONLIGHT batik dye on cloth 89 x 57 cm. (35 x 22 1/2 in.)

CHUAH THEAN TENG (Malaysian, 1914-2008) Countryside 1972 batik

CHUAH THEAN TENG (Malaysian, 1914-2008) Countryside 1972 batik signed lower left: Teng 58.5 x 43.5cm PROVENANCE: Commissioned directly from the artist, 1972 (copy of letter from the artist''s son confirming acquisition provided, dated December 1972) Private collection, Melbourne

CHUAH THEAN TENG (1914-2008, Malaysian), Moonlight c1977

CHUAH THEAN TENG (1914-2008, Malaysian) Moonlight c1977, batik, 89.0 x 57.5 cm signed lower left: Teng

CHUAH THEAN TENG (1914-2008, Malaysian), Oxcarts c1977

CHUAH THEAN TENG (1914-2008, Malaysian) Oxcarts c1977, batik, 87.5 x 61.0 cm signed lower left: Teng

TENG CHUAH THEAN | Seated Woman

Batik

TENG, Chuah Thean, (Malaysian, 20th C.): Figures

TENG, Chuah Thean, (Malaysian, 20th C.): Figures in a Landscape, Batik, 17'' x 14'', signed, titled verso, custom frame with fabric mat, 32'' x 27''. Exhibited at Orientations Exhibition Nov 1977. Est. $300/500**