Oasis

This painting is called Oasis. You might not guess it was made by the same artist Chen Wen Hsi who painted the large work on gibbons on the nearby wall.  But while his gibbons are rendered in delicate ink strokes, Oasis breaks the scene into jagged planes and angular shapes. Step closer, and you might spot flashes of white that hint at birds; step back and the scene reshapes itself like a moving puzzle. What stands out to you?

Inspired by the Cubist movement, Chen lets go of a single viewpoint. Instead, he shows us many perspectives at once, creating forms that hover on the edge of recognition. The painting isn't concerned with directly depicting a clear subject. It’s a study of how forms relate, overlap and interact.

Oasis is a departure from Chen’s earlier style and reflects what was happening across the art scene in 1960s Singapore. Artists were experimenting with different techniques and visual references. As you move into the next gallery, you’ll see how those experiments continue to unfold.