Sculpting life with

Ng Eng Teng

• Ng Eng Teng (1934 – 2001)

• was a sculptor and winner of the Cultural Medallion in visual arts in 1981. 

• trained in painting under first generation masters like Georgette Chen and Liu Kang.

NG ENG TENG

NG ENG TENG

• Furthered his studies in ceramics upon in England.

• Returned to Singapore in 1966, and maintained a prolific production throughout his career until his death in November 2001.

• Remembered for his large-scale sculptures gracing many public spaces, and his introspective and whimsical interpretations of humanist themes in three-dimensions

Self and Relationship

• The theme of mother and child is interpreted here in one of Singapore’s most well-known examples of public sculpture.

• Mother figure is often more physical, more in contact with the child. The mother figure is generally more gentle and protective.

Quotation from NG ENG TENG

• Life itself is the main inspiration of my work. The experience of humanity: love, hope, the joy of living as well as dejection, alienation, despair, fear and sorrow are sources of my artistic creation.

Spot the difference –Mother and Child Sculptures

Madonna and Child II, 1990, bronze Over Mother’s Head, 1990, bronze

Father and child sculptures

Responsibility II, 1985, ciment fondu Father and Son, 1985, ciment fondu

Father and Child Sculpture

• In contrast, the father and child sculptures present a stereotypical posture of a commanding and resilient father figure