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Yeh Chi Wei
Known for his semi-abstract oil paintings, the 20th century modern artist and teacher led the Ten Men Group of local artists on expeditions to other parts of Southeast Asia.
Singapore Chinese writers: Recipients of the Cultural Medallion and Young Artist Award
These authors’ contributions to Chinese literature in Singapore have garnered them prestigious accolades.
Grandmasters of comedy: The iconic television duo Wang Sha and Ye Feng
The comedic duo’s illustrious, decades-long entertainment career spanned across television, film, and the stage.
Wang Sha, Ye Feng and Their Legacy in Films
Wang Sha and Ye Feng’s breakthrough in Hong Kong made them some of the earliest Singaporean pioneers in Chinese-language media to achieve international stardom as film stars. They were known for their chemistry and impeccable comedic timing.
Lee Dai Soh, Storyteller
The Cantonese storyteller was one of the most famous radio talents in Singapore — regaling listeners with tales such as Journey to the West and The Return of the Condor Heroes for decades until his retirement in 1982.
Ong Toh: Hokkien master storyteller
A school principal who rose to fame narrating martial arts novels and Hokkien folklore on Rediffusion, Ong Toh was best known for his impeccable delivery and sonorous voice.
Ng Chia Keng: Teochew master storyteller
The Teochew legend was renowned for his storytelling prowess and children’s songs.
Chng Soot Fong: The Queen of Amoy-dialect Cinema
The famous getai performer toured Singapore, Malaya and the Philippines, before shifting her focus to cinema where she came to be known as the ‘Queen of Amoy-dialect Cinema’.
The Chinese writers who came south
Singapore attracted literary talent from China from the late Qing dynasty onwards. Ranging from immigrants and diplomats to those fleeing unrest in their homeland, they included prominent figures such as Khoo Seok Wan, Yu Dafu and Pan Shou.
Pioneer Musician: Shen Ping Kwang
The composer and music educator, who founded Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts’ music department in 1984, was known for his songs inspired by life in mainland China, Taiwan and Southeast Asia.
Pioneer Musician: Leong Yoon Pin
The pioneering musician was known for choral compositions such as ‘Good Morning, Malaya’ and ‘Dragon Dance’. He also founded the Rediffusion Youth Choir and Metropolitan Philharmonic Choir, and was the first Singaporean to compose music for an opera.
Lim Hak Tai: Founding principal of Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts
The pioneer artist who established the academy in 1938 was a champion of the Nanyang style — a blend of Eastern and Western traditions by Chinese painters in Southeast Asia.
Chen Wen Hsi
Singapore’s acclaimed 20th century modern artist is known for his distinctive paintings of gibbons, herons and cranes — part of an oeuvre that combined Chinese ink tradition with experiments in Cubism, Fauvism and other Western styles of painting.
Pioneer Musician: Lee Howe
The Chinese-born composer and writer dedicated more than five decades of her life to music education in Singapore, with stints at Nanyang Girls’ High School, Chung Cheng High School, and The Chinese High School.
Sun Yee
Trained in both Chinese and Western styles of painting, the 20th century artist spent close to three decades heading the Singapore Academy of Arts. She is regarded as an important early art educator in Singapore’s art scene.