Aw Tee Hong


Aw Tee Hong is a Singaporean artist who is known for his oil paintings of the old Singapore River, as well as for numerous public sculptures themed towards Singapore heritage, like the marble relief titled Singapore Poetry found in Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Aw is known for his works in oil and acrylic, watercolour, Chinese ink, charcoal and sculptures.

Early life

Born in Wenshan village at Huiwen, Wenchang county of Hainan island, Aw migrated with his parents to Kelantan, Malaysia at the age of 8 and relocated to Singapore in 1950, where he studied art at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. In 1956 he went on to pursue higher education in art at the China Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, China.

Accolades

Aw was invited back to his alma mater to give a series of thematic lectures on pottery in 1994-1995 and was hence given the title of Visiting Professor by the Central Academy of Fine Arts, in recognition of his contribution.
Aw collaborated with the Singapore Tourism Promotion Board during the 1980s to create and develop a range of Chinese Opera Masks, amongst other cultural products, which later became iconic souvenirs that helped promote Singapore as a tourist destination. Additionally, Aw was often invited by STPB to participate in trade shows to various countries in Asia, Middle East and Europe to demonstrate the uniqueness and richness of Singapore Art.
Having had an artistic career spanning six decades, Aw has presented his works through a plethora of platforms, namely art exhibitions, both in Singapore and overseas.
Recently, The Fullerton Hotel invited Aw to showcase his 1960s Singapore works.

Featured works

Aw is married with 3 children and 6 grandchildren, one of whom is a brilliant female lawyer who shook Queen Elizabeth's hand. He currently resides in Singapore.