Singaporean Social Realist Painter Chua Mia Tee Dies at 94

Chua Mia Tee, a groundbreaking painter known for his social realism, passed away due to pneumonia on July 10, 2026, at the age of 94, as reported by the National Gallery Singapore (NGS). He was born in 1931 in Shantou, China, and moved to Singapore at six during the Second Sino-Japanese War. After graduating from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) in 1952, where he studied under notable artists like Lim Hak Tai, he became a lecturer and commercial illustrator. In 1956, he co-founded the Equator Art Society, emphasizing social realism over Western modernism. His solo debut in 1974 marked the start of his full-time career. Notable pieces include Epic Poem of Malaya (1955) and National Language Class (1959). He was awarded the Cultural Medallion in 2015. In 2021, NGS showcased a significant retrospective titled "Chua Mia Tee: Directing the Real," displaying over 50 works from 1950–1980. NGS director Eugene Tan remarked on the profound impact of his work, which captures Singapore's historical narrative.