Goh Beng Kwan

Goh Beng Kwan is a renowned artist from Singapore known for his distinctive abstract collage works, which feature a diverse range of materials including tea wrappings, acupuncture diagrams, nails, strings, and sand. These elements combine to create a unique and captivating visual experience.

Biography of Goh Beng Kwan

Goh Beng Kwan was born in 1937 in Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia, and relocated to Singapore in 1945.

In Singapore, Goh Beng Kwan attended the Chinese High School, where he had the privilege of studying art under the guidance of the pioneer Singaporean artist, Chen Wen Hsi. Chen Wen Hsi provided Goh Beng Kwan with art lessons and frequently joined him on artistic excursions, along with fellow pioneer Singaporean artist Cheong Soo Pieng.

Under the tutelage of these artists, Goh Beng Kwan cultivated a robust foundation in Western representational painting while also nurturing a deep appreciation for Chinese ink painting and calligraphy.

In 1961, Goh had his first exhibition at the Five Man Exhibition held at the National Museum Art Gallery in Singapore. Following this milestone, he relocated to the United States.

Goh Beng Kwan furthered his artistic education at the renowned Art Students' League of New York from 1962 to 1963.

Goh transitioned from representational painting to Abstract Expressionism, a thriving movement within New York City's vibrant art scene. He drew inspiration from prominent artists like Willem de Kooning and Robert Rauschenberg during this transformative phase of his artistic journey.

In 1964, Goh Beng Kwan participated in the Provincetown Workshop in Massachusetts, a two-month program where he received mentorship from abstract painter and collagist Leo Manso, as well as modernist painter Victor Candell. He returned to the Provincetown Workshop for a second time in 1965.

After returning to Singapore in 1966, Goh Beng Kwan emerged as a prominent collagist and played a pivotal role in the development of modern art in Singapore.

During the early 1970s, he began collaborating with the Alpha Gallery, a venue that served as a gathering point for young Singaporean and Malaysian artists who had recently completed their overseas studies. From the mid-1970s to the early 1980s, Goh actively participated in group exhibitions and organized solo shows at the Alpha Gallery.

In recognition of his significant contributions to the visual arts, Goh Beng Kwan was awarded the Cultural Medallion in 1989. In 1991, he hosted a solo exhibition titled "Journeys" at the National Museum Art Gallery.

In 2021, his artworks were prominently showcased in the National Gallery Singapore's exhibition titled "Something New Must Turn Up: Six Singaporean Artists After 1965." This exhibition included a dedicated solo section called "Nervous City," focusing specifically on Goh's artistic practice.

Goh Beng Kwan's Art Style

While studying at the Art Students’ League of New York in the USA, Goh Beng Kwan initially pursued oil painting under the guidance of Sidney Gross until Gross's passing in the same year. Subsequently, Goh broke free from the constraints of representational painting and embarked on a journey to explore the creative freedom offered by Abstract Expressionism.

In the summer of 1964, while participating in the Provincetown Workshop in Massachusetts, Goh Beng Kwan had the privilege of attending classes conducted by the painter Victor Candell and the collagist Leo Manso. It was under the guidance of Leo Manso that Goh embarked on a journey of experimentation with abstract collage artworks.

In the landscapes Goh created during the 1970s and 1980s, a yearning for untouched nature amid urbanization became increasingly evident. His collage piece titled 'Dune' achieved the prestigious first prize in the UOB Painting of the Year competition in 1982.