Share
Add fave
Chat with us on WhatsApp
About the artwork
CSS 000162 This striking portrait by Ren Zhen Yu depicts the founding father of modern Singapore Lee Kuan Yew, who gazes directly towards the viewer. Mr Lee is rendered in the country’s national colours of red and white, cementing the work within our proud national identity, while splashes of vibrant colours are overlaid, imbuing the work with energy that reflects the unforgettable spirit of this iconic figure. Ren Zhen Yu uses fascinating textures, thick layers of paint, and spontaneous patterns to infuse modern perspectives together with the history and memories associated with the icons he paints, presenting the viewer with a contemporary and emotional experience that captivates and mesmerises.
About the artist
Born in Tianjin in 1976, Ren Zhenyu graduated in 1999 from the Oil Painting Department at Tianjin Academy of Fine Art, where he currently works as a lecturer. His talent was recognized and appreciated by renowned galleries and distinguished collectors throughout China, and he achieved fame in Europe through his distinct portrait series of historical and political icons, such as Andy Warhol and Chairman Mao. In his works, Ren plays with a wide spectrum of colours that are juxtaposed to create a unique expressionist interpretation of famous faces and experiments with texture and layering built on to reinforce the portrayal of faces from different perspectives.