Wet Market IV

Ong Kim Seng (b. 1945, Singapore) is a celebrated self-taught watercolourist. His signature style is marked by a masterful handling of light and shadow, and an attention to detail. Having travelled widely, he is known for displaying a keen sensitivity towards the cultures he depicts in his work. The artist also frequently captures scenes from Singapore, offering a lyrical perspective towards everyday settings.

Ong has participated in group and solo exhibitions in Singapore, the United States, China, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, Belgium, Germany, France, the Middle East, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the ASEAN countries. His decades-long career is marked by local and international awards, including: the national Cultural Medallion (1991), the Public Service Star for the Arts (Bintang Bhakti Masyarakat) conferred by the President of the Republic of Singapore (2004), the Excellence for Singapore Award (2000) by the Singapore Totalisator Board, the Singapore International Award (2001) by the Singapore International Foundation, the Supporter of the Arts Award (2001) by the National Arts Council, Singapore, the Dolphin Fellowship (2000) and nine other awards conferred by the American Watercolour Society (between 1983 to 2019). Currently the honorary President of the Singapore Watercolour Society, following a long term as its President (1991–2001), Ong continues to actively promote watercolour with organisations and bodies around the world. The artist is also one of the founding members of the International Masters of Watercolor Association based in Shanghai.