SIEW Hock Meng (b. 1942, Johor, Malaysia) was educated at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts as a student of Cheong Soo Pieng.
Upon graduating, Siew soon realized that he wanted to learn about the meaning of art rather than simply painting techniques. Thus, he began reading extensively about aesthetics and philosophy while working as a rubber tapper. With his esteemed Realist style of painting and drawing, Siew’s body of works is highly regarded for his allegorical paintings, pastel compositions, and oil portraits. Siew’s observant approach could be seen in his thoughtful and contemplative renditions of Singapore’s landscapes, as well as other places he had visited in the region. Siew was awarded the National Day Medal for Fine Arts in 1971, and the award for Visual Arts Creation, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Alumni Association Singapore in 1981 and 1984.
