Ong Boon Kong (1948-2021) was a humble and highly talented artist. Born in Fujian, China and came to Singapore at age 11. He had opportunities to learn art from a number of Singapore pioneer artists including Cheng Chong Swee, Chen Wen Hsi while studying at Chinese High School. In 1976, he became a full-time painter. Ong painted for more than 50 years, travelling to many countries to paint and participate in exhibitions.

He had exceptional observational skills and a deep focus on nature, particularly small creatures like goldfishes and sparrows. Renowned as a “Tiger painter,” he is celebrated for his depictions of tigers, capturing their essence effortlessly on canvas or rice paper. Ong Boon Kong never cared about the attention from media, as he was simply passionate and loved to paint. He focused mainly on watercolors, oil paintings, and Chinese ink paintings the most. Beyond tigers, he also depicted local street scenes, from the bustling markets of Bugis Street to the Samsui women and ordinary people of Singapore. Ong Boon Kong’s art reflected a genuine and profound love for life, showcasing both wildlife and the vibrant local culture of Singapore.