LOT 76
TAY BAK KOI
B. Singapore, 1939 – 2005
Fishing
Watercolour on paper
29 x 29 cm
Private Collection, Canada
Signed “Bak Koi” towards lower left
RM 3,000 – 7,000
The lines between fantasy and reality are often blurred when it comes to works done by Tay Bak Koi. He incorporates that idyllic and dream-like quality into his paintings and made it his signature. In fact, he is known for merging fantasy with realism. For instance, his realistic sceneries and landscapes are often injected with fairytale-like interjections. This emphasises the hybridisation of reality and perception, as seen in this piece. As indicated by its title, ‘Fishing’ is a serene work depicting several fishermen standing waist-deep in water with their rods and straw hats.