FEDERATION OF MALAYA
1986 — 1962

Born in Kuching, Sarawak, in 1896, Yong Mun Sen is revered for his depictions of life in Malaya. Even prior to his passing in 1962, which was before the founding of Malaysia and Singapore, the venerable pioneer’s art had already garnered critical acclaim, most notably from the Commissioner-Generals from the United Kingdom and Xu Beihong, one of China’s greatest 20th century artists. During his career, Yong had numerous opportunities to showcase his works in Malaya, Singapore, China, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States of America. Yong’s paintings attracted the attention of numerous collectors, including Commissioner- General Sir Donald MacGillivray, American Consul-General J. Goodyear, Resident Commissioner A.V. Aston, and Commissioner-General Malcolm MacDonald, as well as collectors from the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia. Yong’s works are also in the collection of museums in Japan, Malaysia, the National Gallery Singapore, and Australia. Yong’s legacy extends far beyond his art; institutions which he played an instrumental role in establishing, such as the Singapore Society of Chinese Artists and Yong’s brainchild, the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, have immensely benefitted the development of the arts in Singapore and the region.