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Toh Kiam Hock Solo Exhibition HOPE 犀牛望月from 29 Apr to 03 May 2021, 10am-7pm at The Art House, Gallery 1. Singapore 179429.

Dr Ho Kah Leong

Dr Ho Kah Leong

Celebrated artist and art educator Ho Kah Leong, aged 78, has been active in local art scene for the past six decades. He is now the President of Singapore Arts Federation.

In mid-50’s of last century, Ho had a short stint at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) for one and a half year. After completing his secondary education at Chung Cheng High School, he was matriculated in the Nanyang University and obtained his BSc degree in 1963. Upon graduation, he joined the teaching profession and was elected as a Member of Parliament in 1966. He was appointed Parliamentary Secretary in 1981 and promoted to Senior Parliamentary Secretary in 1984. He has never given up his hobby of painting no matter how busy he was in his political life. He has been known to have officiated at the most number of opening ceremonies of art exhibitions during his term of office and even now.

After serving as an MP for thirty solid years, he stepped down from political arena and was soon appointed as the Principal of NAFA in 1997. During his six and a half years’ tenure in NAFA, he beefed up the administration and staff strength of the academy, collaborated with world known universities to run degree courses for NAFA graduates. His major contribution to NAFA is to raise fund (10% of $110m) to build NAFA new campus at Bencoolen Street. NAFA students can now study arts in a cosy environment with state-of-the-art facilities.

In recognition of his contributions in politics and the arts, Ho was conferred Hon PhD by the Wisconsin International University of USA in 2001.

He specialises in oil paintings. He insists on location painting as he believes only on-the-spot painting can arouse one’s emotion which is essential in bringing life to a scenery painting. His paintings are known to have captured the sunlight and myriad of colours, characteristic of the tropical countries and can be uniquely recognised with bold strokes and bright colours resembling those of the impressionist masters and lately his works even traces of expressionism and fauvism. Ho is also recognised for his bold strokes in his Chinese calligraphy works.

He is regarded as one of the outstanding 2nd generation of Nanyang School of artists by local art critics. He has held several art exhibitions for charity and often donates his paintings for auction towards charitable cause.

Born in Singapore in 1937

  • 1955 – 1956 Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts
  • 1954 Primary: Sin Sheng School
  • 1959 Secondary: Chung Cheng High School
  • 1963 Tertiary: Nanyang University (BSc)
  • 1964 – 1975 High School Teacher
  • 1975 – 1981 General Manager, Educational Publications Bureau
  • 1981 – 1984 Parliamentary Secretary
  • 1984 – 1996 Senior Parliamentary Secretary
  • 1997 – 2003 Principal, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts
  • 2003 – 2005 Executive Director, NAFA International Pte Ltd
  • 2005 – date Senior Consultant, Pioneers & Leaders (Publishers) Pte Ltd
  • 1990 “Nostalgic Scenes” at SCCCI
  • 1991 “Beauty Lion City” at NAFA Gallery
  • 1993 “Scenes Splendor” at NAFA Gallery
  • 1997 “Passion for Art: Solo Exhibition of Ho Kah Leong’s Location
  • Paintings” at SooBin Gallery
  • 2000 “Idyllic Nanyang” at SooBin Gallery
  • 2001 “Idyllic Tropics” at Central Gallery, K.L.
  • 2002 “Beauty of Nature” at NAFA Gallery
  • 2006 “Parks in Garden City” at Artrium, MICA
  • 2007 “Last Kampung in Singapore” at Tembusu Art Gallery
  • 2008 “Poetic Ubin” at Tembusu Art Gallery/ Black Earth Art Museum
  • 2009 “Splendor of Lakes and Hills” at Tembusu Art Gallery
  • 2011 “Rhythm of the Sea” at Tembusu Art Gallery
  • 2013 “Lion City Rediscovered” at Tembusu Art Gallery/ Ion Art Gallery
  • 2015 “Exotic Landscape” at Tembusu Art Gallery/ The Art Space @ Suntec
  • 1978 – 1987 Nantah Graduates Art Exhibition at National Museum Art Gallery
  • 1987 National Museum Centennial Art Exhibition
  • 1991 – 1993 Singapore Art Fair at World Trade Centre
  • 1994 Singapore Treasures at World Trade Centre
  • 1995 Joint Exhibition with Mr K. C. Lee at Takashimaya Art Gallery
  • 1997 President’s Charity Art Exhibition at Dr Earl Lu Gallery
  • 1997 10-Man Art Exhibition at Peras Gallery, Penang
  • 1998 7-Man Ubin Connection Exhibition at Orchard Point Gallery
  • 2000 “10-Man Beautiful Ubin Exhibition” at NAFA Gallery
  • 2008 “Asia in Focus” in Taipei, Taiwan
  • 2008 “2nd International Art Expo” in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 2009 “39-Artist Exhibition: 3000 Years of Passion and Colour • Our Artists Our Legacy” at Black Earth Art Museum
  • 2009 “19 Singapore Artists Exhibition: Landmarks, Taipei” at Black Earth Art Museum
  • 2011 “Refections on Cambodia” at MICA ARTrium
  • 2011 “Exiting 100 – Singapore, Taiwan International Art Exhibition” at MICA ARTrium
  • 2012 Work selected for London Olympic Art Exhibition
  • 2014 “President’s Charity Art Exhibition” at The Arts House
  • 2015 - "100% Singapore", Tembusu Art Gallery, Singapore
  • Ministry of Community Development, Youth & Sports
  • Singapore Parliament House
  • Former Minister Mentor’s Office (Istana)
  • National Art Gallery, Singapore
  • CPF Board
  • Singapore History Museum
  • UOB
  • Singapore Buddhists Lodge
  • Singapore Buddhist Cultural Centre
  • Taipei Art Museum
  • Taiwan President’s Office
  • Private collections at home & abroad
  • 1995 “A Passion for Painting” joint art album with Mr K. C. Lee
  • 1996 “Beautiful Lion City” – The Art Of Ho Kah Leong
  • 2000 “Idyllic Nanyang” – Location paintings by Ho Kah Leong
  • 2003 “Beauty of Nature” – Location paintings by Ho Kah Leong
  • 2000 Awarded Peruvian Cultural Medal
  • 2001 Conferred Honorary Doctorate by Wisconsin International University, USA

Artwork