signed, titled and dated, lower right
oil on canvas laid down on board, triptych
256 x 151 cm each, 256 x 453 cm overall
Lot location: Singapore
On display at Art Agenda Singapore.
A MOMENTOUS MURAL
Based on a scene from Jataka Tales, a large body of literature native to India about the
previous births of Gautama Buddha, Mahajanaka Jataka is one of Choo Keng Kwang’s
largest and most monumental mural paintings. It was commissioned by Mr. Elias Pereira,
a visionary educator who founded Stamford College, the first private school in Singapore
established in 1950. Mr. Pereira met the artist in the early 1970s and commissioned him to
create a mural for his residence. The artist completed the mural in 1975 after working on it
for several years.
Referencing a wall painting in the famous Ajanta Caves in India, the mural depicts one of
Buddha’s previous forms, Prince Mahajanaka. In the middle of the work, the prince is first
depicted as a figure of high status. Adorned with rich jewellery and surrounded by servants,
he sits on his throne and watches a dance performance arranged by his wife, Sivali, who
gazes at him in endearment. On the right of the mural, however, Mahajanaka leaves the
palace on his horse. Characteristic of the future Buddha, he renounces his kingship and
leaves these worldly riches for a noble ascetic life as a wandering monk.
