About  YUEN CHEE LING

Born in Penang 1950.  Started oil painting at the age of 13. Prize winner of N. Malaysia Youth Artists Competition (1965-1966). Awarded scholarship by Malaysia Ministry of Culture for Creative Art –USM (1980) and University Scholar- University of Philippines (1983). Graduated BFA (1985) and MFA (1986) Degrees at University of the Philippines. Awarded doctoral degree by Universiti Sains Malaysia in 2008.  

Since 1991, she had developed a figurative style of her own to reflect the unique characteristics and spiritual essence of the Pan- Asian women. Her recent Nyonya series is a reminiscence of the old Penang. The day-to day life of the ‘Nyonyas’(womenfolk of the Straits Chinese Baba)  in relation to own her childhood experiences.

Founder of the International Women Artists Associations Council (INWAC) and international network of women artists groups to promote women’s art through the “Her Presence In Colours” - International Women Artists Exhibition Series. To date, “Her Presence In Colours series I-VI were held at Beijing, Penang, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Sheffield (UK) and Melbourne.

Held 14 solo exhibitions locally and abroad and numerous group exhibitions in important national and state museums in Malaysia, Argentina, Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, China, Australia, United Kingdom, USA , Denmark and Korea. Co-founder/Director of Conservatory of Fine Arts since 1987. Initiator of Her Presence In Colours Exhibition -Asian International Women Artists Exhibition series since 1993. Founder cum President of World International Women Artists Council –INWAC since 1999,  which  has established its subcenters in various regions of the world  to promote women’s art through the “Her Presence In Colours” -  International Women Artists Exhibition Series. To date,“Her Presence In Colours series  I-VI were held at Beijing, Penang, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Sheffield (UK).

She has 9 publications to her credit. Over 70 articles about Yuen Chee Ling have been published in magazines, periodicals, news papers and art books.

Her Paintings are in the collection of Malaysian National Art Gallery, USM Museum, Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation Center, Bangkok Metropolitan Bank, Esso, Philip Morris and Pacific Bank.  Over 300 works collected by collectors from Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Denmark, USA, England, Singapore and Japan. Authoring "Women by Women" & "Batik as Painting"

Invited to Olympic Fine Arts 2008 ( Beijing) as " Representative of Excellent Artists of teh World" . Awarded Gold Medal, Olympic Torch and Certificate by the organizer of Olympic Fine Arts 2008.

YUEN CHEE LING
Born Penang, Malaysia,1950.

Art Educations/ Awards:

1967-          Recipient of outstanding works for watercolour and oil, Northern Malaya Art      
                  Competition.

1968 -         School Art Prize.

1980-1981-  Recipient of scholarship from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports to study
                  Creative Arts Certificate Course at University Sciences Malaysia.-

1983-1985-  Studied at the University of the Philippines, awarded University Scholar Bachelor of
                  Fine Arts Degree(1985)and Master of Fine Arts Degree (1987)

2008-          Received her  Doctorate Degree( Ph. D.)  at University Sains Malaysia (USM).

Positions:

Director/Founder, Conservatory of Fine Arts)

Founder/ President of International Women Artist Council (INWAC)

\Advisor Penang Art Society

Founding member of Artgrup Penang

Vice President, Chen Style Taiji Association

Awards/ Honors:

1968
1981
1984
1986
1995


1998


2000   

2003

2004

2004

2008

School Art Prize
Recipient of Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Scholarship.
University Scholar, University of the Philippines.
Painting entitled “Child of the Sun” selected for book cover of Child of the Sun, Bogle- L’ouverture Publication, London,UK. Biography and paintings featured in Dictionary of the Achievements of World Chinese Artists.,Great World Publishing Co.H.K.
Painting and biodata listed in A Collection of Art Works by 20th Century Women
Artists, published by China Documentary & All-China Women Federation in conjunction with the International Women Convention.

Oil painting entitled “Dressing Up” selected for Reader’s Digest Back Cover Art, April Issue.

Commissioned by the publisher of the Encyclopedia of Malaysia, to do 5 articles for Crafts and the Visual Arts.

Oil paintings “Self Portrait” ;“Golden Season” ; “One Fine Day” published in the cover of The Expat (2000) ,  Hotel ( 2001) , Cosmi (2003)

Paintings entitled “Two seated women” and “Silver Charriot Procession” collected by National Art Gallery, Malaysia.

Invited to Olympic Fine Arts 2008 ( Beijing) as " Representative of Excellent Artists of the World". Awarded Gold Medal, Olympic Torch and Certificate by the organizer of Olympic Fine Arts 2008.

Solo Exhibitions (14 times):

1978-1980    1985
1987
1991- 1995
 

1997
1999
2001

2007

Solo exhibitions in Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Bangkok,
Solo Exhibitions -”Image to Image” at Philam Life Cultural Center,  Manila.
Solo Exhibition-”Image to Image”  at Penang Museum & State Art Gallery.
Solo exhibitions at Artville-Penang, Chin Ping Gallery -Taipeh and Art Salon - Kuala Lumpur.
Solo exhibitions at Cultural Foundation Center, Abu Dhabi ( 1997)
Solo Exhibition at Tainan Art Center, Taiwan & Dongmen Art Gallery, Taiwan.
Solo Exhibitions at Art Salon, Kuala Lumpur

Duo Solo Exhibition at Art Salon @ Seni Gallery.

Group Exhibitions:

Participated in more than 150 group exhibitions at the national museums, art galleries and art centers in Malaysia, Argentina, Tokyo, China, Philippines, Abu Dhabi and Taiwan since 1972,  including  the following:
 

1972
1978
1984 
1985
1986
1989
1990
1991
1991
1992

1992

1993-2006 



1994-1999

1996

1999         
1997
1997
1998

1998
1999
1999 

1999

1998
2004 
2004-2006




2006  
2006

2008

2009

Penang Teachers’ Art Circle *th Annual Art Exhibition.
Young Contemporary’81, National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur.

Universiti Sains Malaysia Museum Collection Show, USM Museum, Penang.

Penang Watercolorists Invitation Show, Penang Museum & State Art Gallery.

20 Years Retrospective Show, Penang Museum & State Art Gallery, Penang.
Titian II, National Art Gallery, Bangkok, Thailand.

Artist Camp’ International, Penang State Art Gallery.

Malaysian Art Show, Taipeh Cultural Education Pavilion, also served as curator.

Soal Identity, National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur. Indonesia/ Malaysia.
Art Exhibition and Auction for the Restoration of the Great Wall of China, Raffles  Convention Center Singapore. (Painting sold)

Malaysian Contemporary Art Exhibition, National Art Gallery, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Her Presence In Colours I- VII- Asian/International  Women Artists Exhibitions , Central Institute of Fine Art Gallery, China, Penang State Art Gallery, Suan Prakkad Palace Museum, Bangkok, Thailand, Clock Tower Gallery, UK, Manningham  State Art Gallery, Melbourne and Daegu Art Center, Korea.
Asian Modern Art Exhibition, Metropolitan Art museum, Tokyo, Japan.
Seni-Pekan Seni Ipoh, Yayasan Seni Perak.

Achievement of World Chinese Women Artists Exhibition, World Trade Center, Beijing, China. Invited by the All China Women Alliance.

Pioneering Spirit 1950 - 1960s, National Art Gallery , Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Malaysian Artists Group Show, Cultural Foundation Center, Abu   Dhabi, U.A.E.

Penang - The Artists’ Paradise, Art Point Gallery, Penang.

Large Paintings Exhibition, Penang State Art gallery. Also as guest curator of the exhibition.

Aku-99 -Self Portraits Show, Galeri Petronas, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Malaysia. Invited as panel speaker for Art Forum on “ Portraiture in Contemporary Art”
Penang Water Colour Society Annual Show. Invited as panel speaker for Art forum: Water Colour Today.

“Through our Eyes” An Exhibition of Selected Works by Malaysian Women Artists, Galeri Petronas, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Malaysia.

Enchanting Penang II- Galeri Art Point, Penang.

“Into the Mystic” , Verde Gallery, Illinois, USA.
“Northern Vantage- Artgrup Penang Inaugural Exhibition”, USM AMRO Gallery.

“Link: Penang: Beijing-  Artgrup Penang Exhibition”, USM AMRO  Gallery &  Museum of  the China Capital Normal University, Beijing.

Invited speaker for art conference: Contemporary Art In Malaysia, China Capital Normal University, Beijing.

“Batik- Batik Painting & painting Batik”, Petronas Gallery, Kuala Lumpur.

“Vision- 3^rd Artgrup Penang Exhibition”, USM  Museum, Penang.
Her Presence In Colours VIII-  International Women Artists Exhibition, China National Art Gallery, Beijing

Theme Exhibition: "Art, Life Vision- 100 Excellent Artists" , Pennag Town Hall

Art Books /Publications: (selected):
Published 7 catalogues and 2 art books including the recent publication “ Yuen Chee Ling-Paintings, Portraitures and sketches 1966 – 1999” (168 pages-219 paintings in full colours) . 

Paintings and biography are listed in publications: ‘Dictionary of the Achievements of World Chinese Artists, 20th Century Women Artists-1995' and Back-cover art for Reader’s Digest, April 1997.

More than 100  write-ups and reviews about her art by art writers and critics appeared in the art columns of newspapers and art magazines. Interviewed by TVs of Malaysia, Beijing, Tokyo, Australian and Hong Kong.

Authoring: " Women By Women" published by WDO Malaysia & Conservatory of Fine Arts, "Batik as Art " published by Conservatory of Fine Arts & University of Europe Asia
Editor:  "Art, Life Vision- 100 Excellent Artists" published by Artgroup International & Xiao En Cultural Foundation

Museum and Public collection

National Art Gallery

Esso Art collection

Universiti Sains Malaysia Museum Collection

Bangkok Metropolitan Bank, Bangkok

Graduate Studies, University of the Philippines

Escoy Smelting Sdn. Bhd.

Pilam Life Pavillion. Metro Manila, Philippines

Crontline Institute, Denmark

Pacific Bank, Kuala Lumpur

Bank Negara Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

Philip Morris, United Kingdom

Cultural Foundation Center, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.

And numerous individual collectors.