Lee Man Fong

This work is in very good overall condition as viewed. Examination under ultraviolet light reveals some areas of restoration, particularly on the lips of the woman on the left, at the face, hair and clothes of the woman on the right, and along the upper edge of the board.
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“Lee Man Fong managed to utilized tradition without being bound by it, and thereby created an entirely fresh and individual style for himself… His portraits are remarkably life-like, fresh and moving and at the same time full of artistic individuality. This resulted from a strict awareness of values and rigorous selectivity. Without grueling training during one’s formative phase in art, it is impossible to achieve one’s ideals even in drawings or sketches.”

– K.C. Low¹

As an immigrant who moved from China to Indonesia, Lee Man Fong was deeply influenced by the people and traditions of Indonesia, but still inherently attached to his Chinese ancestry. By documenting the inhabitants and their daily activities on canvas, the artist provided us with a retrospective view of the country. His paintings were inspired by traditional Chinese motifs, incorporating Eastern aesthetics into his depictions of Bali and the Indonesians.

Titled Mencari Kutu (Picking for Lice), the present lot portrays two young women caught in the midst of tidying one’s hair, an act that is a traditional Indonesian practice of daily grooming. The present painting was rendered in a similar anthropological approach classic of Lee Man Fong. Fully engaged in the act, the two women are representations of the rural Bali lifestyle and the feminine beauty that was immensely appreciated by Lee Man Fong. The present piece speaks of an inexplicable serenity, further demonstrating the artist’s sensitivity and fascination with the Balinese environment.

Lee Man Fong’s oeuvre often featured women preoccupied in their daily chores and activities. His paintings may be seen as celebrating the contributions made by women. The artist was able to find beauty in the mundane, and transforming the everyday tasks into something extraordinary.

¹Ho Kung-Shang, Michelle Loh, The Oil Paintings of Lee Man Fong, Art Book Co. Ltd.,Singapore, 2014, pg. 9.