Calligraphy and Wood Carving Artwork
About
Yong Gallery
The love for arts see Calligraphy Master Yong Cheong Thye and Wood Carving Master Cheh Kai Hon coming together to synergize Chinese Calligraphy with Wood Carving into a new medium of artwork.
A transformation of Chinese Calligraphy, Painting artistically on Woods. The resulting piece of wood carving artwork made Chinese Calligraphy stand out like on paper with Wood giving it a new flavour.
A display of intricate skills from Calligraphy, painting to Carving is what gives Yong Gallery the distinctive differentiation in arts.
Yong Cheong Thye
Yong Cheong Thye was born in Singapore in 1946. After graduating from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in 1966, his keen interest and search for the deeper meaning of Chinese art brought him under the pupilage of the late Master Calligrapher Tsue Ta Ti in 1967. His vast artistic talent was soon revealed through the expert guidance of Master Tsue. Yong’s own vision of the artistic order soon blossomed into new art forms, which have won wide acclaim both locally and internationally.
Master Yong’s calligraphic talent was first shown when he won first-prize in nation wide Chinese calligraphy competitions in 1976 and 1977. Unwilling to let art be appreciated by only a few, he accepted invitation by the Singapore Tourism Board to introduce Singapore through his art exhibits overseas. His brushes have travelled with him to milestone exhibitions in Canada, Germany, Finland, Sweden, China, France, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, Italy, England, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Japan and Korea.
Locally, Master Yong has also accepted commercial invitations through both his art exhibits and calligraphy demonstrations and even the applications of calligraphy in advertisements which most artists would shun away.
With the in-depth understanding of the Chinese Calligraphy both as a discipline and an art, Master Yong’s views and opinions have always been sought after both in locally and internationally.
Local Appointment
- Senior Judge for The Chinese Calligraphy Society of Singapore
- Vice-Chairman for Federation of Art Societies (Singapore)
- Vice-Chairman for Shicheng Calligraphy and Seal-Carving Society
- 2010-2012 Appointed Assistant Treasurer Kreta Ayer Community Club Management Committee
International Appointments
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1995
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Appointed “Artistic Consultant” by the Shandong Weifiang International Artistic Committee in Shandong, Chin |
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2001
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Director for the Taiwan Chinese Oracle Script Society (Singapore Office) |
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2009
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Steering Committee of the First International Calligraphy Carving Festival Korea
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Competition Judge
- 1st Ponggol Secondary & Primary School Calligraphy Competition (8th January 2004)
- Judge for the SAS & Dr Tan Tsze Chor Art Competition 2004 (19th September 2004)
- Judge for the National Calligraphy Competition for Secondary & Primary Schools (13th March 2005)
- Dr Tan Tsze Chor Art Award 2005 cum SAS 56th Annual Exhibition (13th November 2005)
- 2005 National Calligraphy Competition for Nanyang Technology University
- 2006 National Calligraphy Competition for Nanyang Technology University
- 2012 Ulu Pandan Calligraphy Competition
- 2012 Zhang Shou Shi National Secondary and Primary Schools’ Calligraphy Competition, Chung Cheng High School (Main)
- 2012 Wei De Zhi Hai National Pen Brush Calligraphy Competition, Fo Guang Shan (Singapore)
- Year 2012 Hong Wen School CNY Couplets Competition
Awards
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1975
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2nd Place , National Chinese Calligraphy Competition, Singapore
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1976
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1st Place , National Chinese Calligraphy Competition, Singapore
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1977
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1st Place , National Chinese Calligraphy Competition, Singapore
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1978
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Distinction Prize, Chinese Calligraphy Competition, Singapore |
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1979
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Tan Kheng Cheow Calligraphy Award
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1981
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Consolation Prize, National Chinese Calligraphy Competition, Singapore
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1986
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Gold Medal, Buddhist Art Competition, Singapore
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2000
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Silver Medal, International Oriental Art Exhibition, Holland
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2007
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Outstanding Award Exhibition in Aichi ,Japan
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2008
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Outstanding Award OAC Exhibition Japan |
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2009
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Outstanding Award Exhibition in Aichi ,Japan |
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2010
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Outstanding Award Exhibition in Aichi ,Japan |
Selected Solo Exhibitions
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1985
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Kuching, Sabah, Malaysia |
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1998
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Chicago, USA
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2006
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A Journey In Ink, Singapore
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2010
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Solo Exhibition International Art Fair Seoul,Korea
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2011
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Solo Ceramics Calligraphy Exhibition in Jingdezhen China’s Jiangxi Province
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Local Selected Collections
- His Excellency, President S.R. Nathan of Singapore
- United Overseas Bank Group, Singapore
- Du Pont Singapore Pte Ltd
- American Express
- Gerald Jordan, Associate Professor of History, Faculty of Arts, Toronto-Canada
- Buddhist Cultural Centre, Singapore
- UNICEF
- Hong Leong City Development (on display at Republic Plaza)
- Mr Loh Wing Siew, Director of Keppel Corporation
- Mr & Mrs Leonard, Estee Lauder Cosmetics Pte Ltd
- Confucius Institute-Nanyang Technological University
- National Art Gallery
- National Library Board
International Selected Collections
- Henan Calligraphy Society, China
- Xinan Calligraphy and Painting Society, Mongolia China
- The Society For The Studies Of Oracle-Bone Inscriptions , Jiangsu China
- The Chinese Oracle Scirpt Society, Taichung Taiwan
- Indonesian Calligraphy Society, Indonesia
- International Oriental Art Institute European Center, Rotterdam Holland
Calligraphic Participation
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1986
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10th International Calligraphy Exhibition, Korea
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1987
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International Modern Chinese Calligraphy Exchange Exhibition in Henan, China
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1990
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1st International Chinese Calligraphy Exchange Exhibition, Singapore
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1992
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Asia Invitation Art Exhibition Seoul, Korea |
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1993
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International Exhibition of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy, China |
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1994
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Asia Invitation Art Exhibition Seoul, Korea
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1995
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International Calligraphy Exhibition Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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1996
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12th International Lanting Calligraphy Exhibtion , Singapore
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1997
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15th Korea Exhibit of Letter Engraving Federation, Korea |
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1998
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3rd International Calligraphy Carving Exhibition Wenzhou, China |
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1999
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8th International Calligraphy Exhibition Hong Kong |
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2000
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6th China National Arts Festival Jiangsu, China |
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2002
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2nd China (Tientsin) Calligraphy Art Festival Tientsin, China |
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2003
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1st International Calligraphy Exhibition Gansu, China |
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2004
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Calligraphy Exhibition by International Calligraphers Association Taipei,Taiwan |
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2006
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International Poetic Calligraphy Exhibition in Shandong, China |
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2007
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Busan Calligraphy Biennale, Korea |
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2008
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Gwangju Biennale, Asia Calligraphy Exchange Exhibition, Korea |
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2009
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Busan Calligraphy Biennale, Korea |
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2010
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International Art Fair , Korea
4th OAC Exhibition in Japan 3rd “Tradition and Modernism” Exhibition, China 8th International Artists Exhibition, Taiwan International Chinese Calligraphy Exhibition, Singaopre The Chinese Cultural Festival, Singapore |
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2011
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The Sankei 28th International Book Fair, Japan |
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2012
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Blossom In Spring – FASS Art Exhibition Singapore |
Calligraphic Contributions
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2002
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Calligraphy Art Pieces to National Kidney Foundation CNY Fund Raising |
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2006
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Calligraphy Art Charity Exhibition by Buddha Tooth Relic Temple (Singapore)
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2008
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Published “Calligraphy In Oracle Scripts by Yong Cheong Thye”
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2008
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Sichuan,China Quake Relief in Malaysia
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2009
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Heart Sutra Woodcarving Exhibition for Fa Hua Monastery Fund Raising
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2011
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Vesak Day Celebration, Buddhist Light Association (Singapore) |
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2012
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Calligraphy Art Pieces to Nanyang Academy Of Fine Arts CNY Fund Raising
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Cheh Kai Hon
Cheh Kai Hon studied Chinese Calligraphy and Seal Carving under Master Yong Cheong Thye, and is recognized as one of Asia Pacific’s most respected wood carver. His skills is much sort after. Cheh has executed important royal commissions from Asian monarchs, such as the King of Malaysia , His Majesty Sultan Azlan Shah.
He has also successfully completed a commission to carve the official presidential crest on a chair used by The President of the Republic of Singapore, which is displayed in the Singapore Parliament House. Another important milestone for Cheh was his execution of the fine wood detailing inside the luxuriously appointed carriages of the world-famous Orient Express Train.
Selected Solo Exhibitions
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1986
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Participated in the Singapore National Day Carnival Art Fair
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1988
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Invited by Singapore Tourism Board to demonstrate Seal Carving in London, UK
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1989
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Invited by Singapore Tourism Board to demonstrate Finger Painting in Otago, New Zealand. Held Calligraphy Exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in memory of the late Master Calligrapher Tsue Ta Ti
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1990
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Invited by Singapore Tourism Board to demonstrate calligraphy, Finland
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1995
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Participated in “Seoul 95’ International Calligraphy Carving Exhibition”, Korea
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1996
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Invited by Singapore Tourism Board to demonstrate Calligraphy and Finger
Painting in Auckland, New Zealand Participated in “1st International Calligraphy Carving Exhibition”, Singapore Participated in “International Calligraphy Carving Exhibition”, Tokyo, Japan |
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1997
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Participated in “Seoul 97’International Calligraphy Carving Exhibition”, Korea
Participated in “2nd International Calligraphy Carving Exhibition”, Tokyo, Japan; and represented Shicheng Calligraphy & Seal Carving Society at the Opening Ceremony and Seminal Invited by Singapore Tourism Board to demonstrate Chinese Calligraphy in Auckland, New Zealand |
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1998
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Participated in “3rd International Calligraphy Carving Exhibition” held in Wen Zhou, Zhejiang province, China.
Held “The Rising Phoenix”Two men Calligraphy Carving Exhibition in Singapore Invited by Singapore Tourism Board to demonstrate Chinese Calligraphy in Auckland, New Zealand |
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1999
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Participated in “4th International Calligraphy Carving Exhibition “ Seoul, Korea
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2000
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Participated in “International New Era Oracles Calligraphy Exhibition”, Anyang , China “Hanlin Wood Carving” solo exhibition, Singapore
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Selected Collections
| 2003 – A wood carving presented to the Singapore President, His Excellency, Mr. S. R. Nathan by the Member of Parliament for Jalan Besar Dr. Lily Neo during Mid-Autumn Festival in 2003. The subject of the art piece was “Favorable Weather |
| A wood carving presented to their Majesties, The Emperor & Empress of Japan, by Singapore Prime Minister, Mr. Goh Chok Tong on the occasion of the ASEAN – Japan Commemorative Summit, 11-12 December 2003. The subject of the art piece was “Exuberance”. |