A Milestone Debut: Lee Kian Choong's Solo Art Exhibition And Transition to Full - Time Fine Art

Lee Kian Choong: Solo Art Exhibition - Hao Zhen Art Gallery, Singapore (2013)

Marking a definitive turning point in his creative evolution, the 2013 showcase at HaoZhen Art Gallery stood as Lee Kian Choong’s very first major solo art exhibition in Singapore since transitioning into a full-time contemporary painter. The exhibition introduced the fine art community to his fluid synthesis of contemporary watermedia transparency, experimental mixed media, and classical Eastern calligraphic ink techniques.

The Distinguished Opening: Prominent Figures of Singapore Nanyang Art Circle

A historic convergence of the Singapore art circle celebrating the launch of Lee Kian Choong’s full-time fine art career. Captured below are definitive moments from the opening night and subsequent viewings, gracing the gallery with the presence of legendary Nanyang pioneers, including celebrated Cultural Medallion master painters Siew Hock Meng and Tan Kian Por, alongside the esteemed long-standing President of the Singapore Watercolour Society, Seah Kang Chui. Their collective guidance, critical validation, and enduring camaraderie mark a profound chapter in the evolution of modern Singaporean watermedia.

Seah Kang Chui, President Singapore Watercolour Society, posing for picture with Lee Kian Choong at the 2013 Singapore Art Exhibition.

From left: Dr Hong Geok Soon, Cultural Medallion Siew Hock Meng, prominent pioneer pianist Chua Kah Pin, NSL Engineering CEO Sia Kim Siong, principal Ting Beng Chin posing with Lee Kian Choong for group photograph at 2013 Singapore Art Exhibition.

Cultural Medallion recipient 2001 Tan Kian Por congratulate Lee Kian Choong on his 2013 Singapore Art Exhibition opening night.

Seah Kang Chui (President of Singapore Watercolour Society), Lee Kian Choong at the Lee Kian Choong's art exhibition in Singapore 2013.

Dr Hong Geok Soon (Associate Professor NUS), Siew Hock Meng, Chua Kah Pin, Richard Sia Kim Siong (CEO of NSL Engineering), Principal Ting Beng Chin, Mrs. Hong, Mrs. Siew, Yee Shau Ling, Lee Kian Choong, Chen Hai Han posing for photograph at the opening night of Lee Kian Choong's art exhibition in Singapore 2013.

Tan Kian Por (Cultural Medallion 2001), Lee Kian Choong at Lee Kian Choong's debut art exhibition Singapore 2013..

Cultural Medallion 2024 recipient Siew Hock Meng sharing his creative ideas with Chua Kah Pin at the opening night of Lee Kian Choong 2013 Singapore Art Exhibition.

Siew Hock Meng (Cultural Medallion 2024) sharing his creative ideas with Chua Kah Pin (prominent pioneer pianist).

Elite Patronage, Distinguished VIP Guests & Presidential Acquisition

Lee Kian Choong’s milestone transition into a full-time fine art career received the highest echelons of civic validation and patronage in the Republic of Singapore. The official opening ceremony was exceptionally graced by Mrs. Goh Keng Swee (prominent arts patron and wife of the late Deputy Prime Minister), alongside High Court Judge Mr. Justice Quentin Loh, anchoring the launch with immense legal and cultural prestige. The institutional significance of the showcase was permanently cemented days later during a private viewing conducted by Mrs. Mary Tan, the former First Lady of Singapore. Deeply moved by the technical execution and atmospheric scale of the collection, the former First Lady formally acquired a prominent masterwork painting from the exhibition for her private collection.

Mrs Mary Tan, former Singapore First Lady attending Lee Kian Choong's 2013 Singapore Art Exhibition with her son Peter Tan.

Mrs Goh Keng Swee, wife of former Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Dr Goh Keng Swee, attending the opening night of Lee Kian Choong's 2013 Singapore Art Exhibition.

Former First Lady of Republic of Singapore Mrs. Mary Tan, her eldest son Peter Tan, Lee Kian Choong at Lee Kian Choong's art exhibition, Singapore 2013.

Mrs. Goh Keng Swee, wife of former Singapore Deputy Prime Minister, Mrs. Goh's sister, Lee Kian Choong, at the Lee Kian Choong's art exhibition, Singapore 2013.

Mrs Mary Tan, former First Lady of the Republic of Singapore, posing with Peter Tan, Hao Zhen Gallery Director, Chua Kah Huat, and the artist Lee Kian Choong at artist's 2013 Singapore Art Exhibition.

His honourable Justice Quentin Loh, Mrs Loh, Lee Kian Choong and Sharon Yee posing for picture at the opening night of the artist's 2013 Singapore Art Exhibition organised by Hao Zhen Gallery.

Lee Kian Choong, Sharon Yee, Mrs. Loh & Justice Quentin Loh posing for a candid photograph at the Lee Kian Choong's art exhibition in Singapore 2013.

Director of HaoZhen Art Gallery, Lee Kian Choong, former First Lady of Republic of Singapore Mrs. Mary Tan, Mrs. Mary Tan's eldest son Peter Tan, posing for a candid photography in front of Lee Kian Choong's paintings at Lee Kian Choong's debut art exhibition in Singapore 2013.

Regional Visionaries, Major Industrialists, Philanthropist & Internationa Patronage

The market presence and global desirability of the exhibition were further reinforced in the days following the launch during a high-profile private viewing conducted by Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Lee Shin Cheng (Founder of IOI Group and prominent Malaysian industrialist), who attended alongside his son, Dato' Lee Yeow Chor. Recognizing the masterful execution, refined techniques, and enduring investment value of the collection, they conducted a significant acquisition, purchasing three masterwork paintings from the exhibition to add to their prestigious corporate and private art collections.

Prominent industrialist and philanthropist Tan Sri Dr Lee Shin Cheng attending Lee Kian Choong's 2013 Singapore Art Exhibition.

Tan Sri Dr Lee Shin Cheng, Dato Lee Chor Yeow, posing for a picture at the artist's 2013 Singapore Art Exhibition organised by Hao Zhen Gallery.

Tan Sri Dr Lee Shin Cheng and Lee Kian Choong at Lee Kian Choong's debut solo art exhibition in Singapore 2013.

Dato Lee Yeow Chor, Tan Sri Dr Lee Shin Cheng and Lee Kian Choong posing for a candid photograph in front of the paintings in the art exhibition Singapore 2013.

From left: Dato Lee Chor Yeow, Tan Sri Dr Lee Shin Cheng, Hao Zhen Gallery Director Chua Kah Huat, Lee Kian Choong, Sharon Yee, and engineering director Koh Kim Keei having a group photograph at the 2013 Singapore Art Exhibition.

Prominent industrialist & philanthropist Tan Sri Dr Lee Shin Cheng, Data Lee Chor Yeow, posing for a picture with artist Lee Kian Choong and his wife, Sharon Yee at the 2013 Singapore Art Exhibition.

Dato Lee Yeow Chor, Tan Sri Dr Lee Shin Cheng, Lee Kian Choong, Sharon Yee posing for a photograph in Lee Kian Choong's debut solo art exhibition in Singapore 2013.

Dato Lee Yeow Chor, Tan Sri Dr Lee Shin Cheng, Chua Kah Huat (Director of Hao Zhen Gallery), Lee Kian Choong, Sharon Yee and engineering director Koh Kim Keei posing in front of the paintings in the Lee Kian Choong Singapore 2013 art exhibition.

Academic, Educational, Medical & Professional Spheres

The opening showcase drew immense intellectual and professional validation from prominent figures leading Singapore's academic, educational, medical, and engineering fields. Celebrating the launch were distinguished professors from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the revered former headmaster of Ai Tong School, Mr. Ting. The evening was further graced by acclaimed medical specialists, including prominent consultant surgeon Dr. Sim Hong Gee, alongside leading voices from the professional industrial sectors, including Mr. Chan Yip Seng. Their collective presence, professional accolades, and deep appreciation underscore the sophisticated execution and spatial resonance of Lee Kian Choong’s contemporary watermedia portfolio.

Flower bouquets at the entrance of the exhibition hall at the opening night of artist Lee Kian Choong's 2013 Singapore Art Exhibition.

Beautiful settings of the exhibition hall on the opening night of the artist Lee Kian Choong's 2013 Singapore Art Exhibition organised by Hao Zhen Gallery.

HaoZhen Art Gallery is all set for the opening of the debut art exhibition Singapore 2013 by artist Lee Kian Choong.

HaoZhen Art Gallery at night, before the arrival of distinguished guests for the art exhibition by Lee Kian Choong, Singapore 2013.

Book for the distinguished guests to sign and give precious remarks about the 2013 Singapore Art Exhibiton.

Guest Book for the distinguished guests and patrons to write their well wishes for the art exhibition.

Ai Tong Primary School ex principal Ting Beng Chin with artist Lee Kian Choong at the opening night of the 2013 Singapore Art exhibition.

Artist son Lee Han Bin helping out to serve wines for the distinguished guests for the Opening night of the 2013 Singapore Art Exhibition.

Associate professor of National University of Singapore Dr Hong Geok Soon, his musician wife, son at the opening night of artist Lee Kian Choong's 2013 Singapore Art Exhibition.

Artist Lee Kian Choong's son, Lee Han Bin helping out with the beverages for the distinguished guests of the night of the opening of the art exhibition.

Artist dear son Lee Han Bin and dear daughter Lee Jia Wen helping out at the opening night of the 2013 Singapore Art Exhibition.

Ting Beng Chin, former principal of Ai Tong school, Lee Kian Choong at the opening of the art exhibition organised by HaoZhen Art Gallery for artist Lee Kian Choong in Singapore 2013.

Dr Hong Geok Soon (Associate Professor of NUS), his wife and son, posing in front of artist Lee Kian Choong's artworks during the opening night of the art exhibition.

Artist Lee Kian Choong's children Lee Jia Wen & Han Bin.

CEO of NSL Engineering Pte Ltd Richard Sia Kim Siong posing for a candid shot at the opening night of the 2013 Singapore Art Exhibition.

Associate professor Dr Hong Geok Soon with artist Lee Kian Choong at the opening night of the artist's 2013 Singapore Art Exhibition.

Koh Lee Eng, owner of Jackson Bakery & Confectionary, Koay Lay Kian, senior manager at Nucleus, posing with artist's wife Sharon Yee at the opening night of the 2013 Singapore Art Exhibition.

CEO of NSL Engineering Pte Ltd Richard Sia Kim Siong, artist Lee Kian Choong posing in front of the camera at the opening ceremony of Lee Kian Choong's debut solo art exhibition in Singapore 2013.

Associate Professor of National University of Singapore Dr Hong Geok Soon, artist Lee Kian Choong at the opening ceremony of Lee Kian Choong's art exhibition in Singapore 2013, held at HaoZhen Art Gallery at Bras Basah Complex.

Businesswoman Koh Lee Eng, Sharon Yee, Senior manager at Nucleus Koay Lay Kian, posing in front of artist Lee Kian Choong's artwork at the opening night of the art exhibition.

Esteemed collector KP Lee, President of Singapore Insurance Institute Ng Cheng Quee sharing creative opinions with artist Lee Kian Choong at the 2013 Singapore Art Exhibition.

Associate director DSTA Yap Lee Juan, Julia Yap and artist's daughter Lee Jia Wen posing for a candid picture at the opening night of the 2013 Singapore Art Exhibition organised by Hao Zhen Gallery.

Distinguished guests admiring the artworks at the opening night of the 2013 Singapore Art Exhibition.

Esteemed Chinese art collector & fund manager K. P. Lee, President of the Singapore Insurance Institute (SII) Ng Cheng Quee, Lee Kian Choong sharing some creative viewat the exhibition gallery.

Associate Director of Defence Science & Technology Agency (DSTA) Yap Lee Juan, accountant Julia Yap, Lee Jia Wen at the exhibition gallery on the opening night.

Fund manager K. P. Lee, president of the Singapore Insurance Institute (SII) Ng Cheng Quee, having a private discussion at the exhibition gallery.

Artist Lee Kian Choong, principal architect Chan Yip Seng, Senior Consultant Urologist Dr Sim Hong Gee and wife at the opening night of 2013 Singapore Art Exhibition.

Distinguished guests sharing their creative ideas at the opening night of the artist's 2013 Singapore Art Exhibition.

Artist Lee Kian Choong sharing his art making process with principal architect Chan Yip Seng, with Senior Consultant Urologist Dr Sim Hong Gee and his wife at the 2013 Singapore Art Exhibition.

Artist Lee Kian Choong sharing his creative process with Principal Architect Chan Yip Seng. Senior Consultant Urologist Dr Sim Hong Gee & his wife Adeline Tan at the opening ceremony of artist Lee Kian Choong's art exhibition in Singapore 2013.

The exhibition gallery at the opening night of artist Lee Kian Choong's debut art exhibition in Singapore 2013 at HaoZhen Art Gallery, Bras Basah Complex.

Senior Consultant Urologist Dr Sim Hong Gee & wife Adeline Tan discussing on artist Lee Kian Choong's artworks at the exhibition gallery.

Distinguished guests at the opening of Lee Kian Choong's art exhibition in Singapore 2013.

Artist Lee Kian Choong sharing his creative process of making art with distinguished guests present at the opening night of the art exhibition.

Distinguished guests posing with artist Lee Kian Choong for a group photograph at the opening night of the art exhibition.