Dr. Ho Kah Leong
President, Singapore Arts Federation (Year 2005)
“When I first at the sight of Chew Fang Chin’s paintings, I was fascinated by his unique way of depicting the indigenous people and scene. Although he deliberately does not have a colourful palette, he managed to convey his creative instinct via harmonious colour schemes. It is universally believed that a good painting must have inter alia, originality, parochiality and modernity. All these characteristics can be traced in Fang Chin’s works.
The unique way of presenting the indigenous subject matter has since become Fang Chin’s hallmark. Apart from mastering the basic painting skills, Fang Chin must have spent much time and effort in studying the life-style of the indigenous people, specially their customs and rites. Hence the images are not superficial, but attached to in-depth sensibility and reasonableness. It is not surprised that Fang Chin’s paintings have intrigued many an audience and are much sought after by art collectors and museums.
The exhibition of Fang Chin’s works in Singapore again will provide another avenue for artistic exchange between Singapore and Malaysia.”
Source: “Chew Fang Chin: Ethnic Impressions” Art Book. 2005. Sponsored by Tourism Malaysia in Singapore.