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The Arts Intel Report

Teo Eng Seng: We're Happy. Are You Happy?

Teo Eng Seng, Massacre at Mylai (After Haeberle’s), 1970.

Until Feb 2, 2025
1 St Andrew's Rd, Singapore 178957

Teo Eng Seng is best known for his invention of paperdyesculp—a sculptural medium composed of dyed papier-mâché. Born in Singapore in 1938, Teo moved to London as a young man to study art, working in factories and on railroad bridges during the day to pay for his classes at night. He returned to Singapore in 1971 and joined the “Second Generation” artists who were reshaping the postwar scene in Southeast Asia. In the mediums of painting, sculpture, and installation, making frequent use of his signature paperdyesculp and found materials, Teo addressed the social and global issues of the time. A survey of his expansive career at the National Gallery of Singapore puts his unique commentary style on display. Among the featured works is his 1970 painting Massacre at Mylai (After Haeberle’s), a depiction of American soldiers killing civilians during the Vietnam War. —Paulina Prosnitz

Photo courtesy of the National Gallery Singapore