Material availability and painting practice: a case study of Singapore artist Georgette Chen

Pioneer artist Georgette Chen (1906–1993) is recognised as an influential figure in the early development of modern art in Singapore, however few studies have been undertaken on her painting materials, their availability and techniques. Building on earlier research, this paper presents a greater understanding of Chen's paintings through an in situ technical examination, materials analysis of four oil paintings in the collection of Balai Seni Visual Negara in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and documentary source research. The four paintings, Still Life (Ikan Kering) (1940), Rambutan and Magosteens (1950), Mother and Child (Ibu dan Anak) (1960) and Mother (Ibu) (1960), were painted in three locations between 1940 and 1960, and are representative of three decades of Chen's oeuvre. Evidence suggests that Chen employed a fairly limited range of artist quality materials. Although Chen's practice coincided with limitations in trade and distribution of artists' colourmen materials, she showed a preference for the higher ...