Books & Catalogues
Heartlands: Home and Nation in the Art of Ong Kim Seng (SOLD-OUT)
Heartlands: Home and Nation in the Art of Ong Kim Seng is, in many ways, the most ambitious enterprise of Singapore’s best-known exponent of the art of watercolour. This book documents the artworks of Ong Kim Seng that celebrate the significance of Singapore’s public housing landscape, built by the Housing and Development Board since 1960. The paintings were exhibited in a show of the same name at the Singapore Art Museum in October 2008, together with a video presentation.
His most important old paintings of heartland scenes are preserved here, alongside evocative photos of these places, most of which have long since been rebuilt. These pictures provide the foundation for the main focus of this book – the major new works by Ong Kim Seng in an innovative style he calls “realist surrealism”. Vital images of scenes that now live only in the memory are incorporated into seemingly everyday settings in the present. With this fantastic juxtaposition, he invites the viewer to appreciate the meaning of the only home that he has known and embraced, in the homeland that he cherishes.
“Heartlands: Home and Nation in the Art of Ong Kim Seng” exhibition book is at US$60 per copy (excluding postage).
Mastering Light & Shade In Watercolor
To be a successful painter, one must control the darks to also be able to master the lights. This book shows readers exactly how to manipulate the darks and intensify lights with a progression of lessons. Readers will learn to use color, devise areas of color contrast and discover the best methods for using tonal values to capture light in dramatic ways. The “Mastering Light & Shade In Watercolor” by Ong Kim Seng shows the reader (from experienced artists to budding artist and also art enthusiast) precisely that.
Ong is considered a master of this method and in this book he shows one how to do it in a progressive manner. He does so in such a way that there is a simple and yet logical progression of lessons that begins with materials and finishes with the complete planning of a light-filled composition.
Readers will learn to use color to intensify light, devise areas of color contrast and discover the best methods for using tonal values to capture light in a dramatic and evocative manner.
In addition to that, Ong also illustrates the important role that shadows play in creating luminousity. He shows how to mix the color of shadows and gives suggestions on alternate approaches for different styles of paintings.
The book comes with multiple step-by-step demonstrations, examples, ideas, plus over 200 colour illustrations. It is recommended for everyone.
“Mastering Light & Shade In Watercolor” book is at US$60 per copy (excluding postage) and book in Chinese is at US$40 per copy (excluding postage).
Moments of Light
This 99 paged hard-cover exhibition book documents Ong Kim Seng’s attachment with the Singapore Tyler Print Institute and works that were done during this period. It also contains a retrospective collection of his other works. Limited stock available at price upon request.
“Moments of Light” exhibition book is at US$30 per copy (excluding postage).
Timeless Jiangnan
This 83 paged exhibition catalogue contains 30 works of Ong Kim Seng and also photographs by Mr. Kwek Leng Joo, featured during the 2005 exhibition. Limited stock available.
“Timeless Jiangnan” exhibition catalogue is at S$25 / RM50 per copy (excluding postage).
The Art of Ong Kim Seng
This 24 paged art catalogue contains a collection of Ong Kim Seng’s works. It is published by the artist himself in 2003. Limited stock available.
“The Art of Ong Kim Seng” catalogue is at S$15 / RM30 per copy (excluding postage).
To order any of the books above, please send bankdraft / postal order to:
AWE GALLERY SDN BHD
21, Jalan 20/13,
Taman Paramount, Petaling Jaya
46300 Selangor, Malaysia
Tel: +603 7876 6969
HP: +6013 3888048
Please attach your name, contact number, mailing address and email address in your order. Kindly note that your catalogue will be sent to you immediately upon receiving your payment.