Chua Mia Tee

Chua Mia Tee, 94, died on July 10, 2026. Chua Mia Tee was known publicly as a Chinese-born Singaporean painter. Chua was involved in the Equator Art Society, an artist group founded in 1956 whose social realist works sought to instil a distinct Malayan consciousness by representing the realities and struggles of the masses. For his contributions to the visual arts in Singapore, Chua was awarded the Cultural Medallion in 2015. Chua was also known for his depictions of historic events and portrait paintings of prominent Singaporeans and political figures, such as the nation's presidents and ministers. This includes, for instance, a sculpted bust of composer Zubir Said, and Chua's 1998 portrait of Singapore's first president Yusof Ishak, which can be found reproduced on Singapore's currency notes. His work had been exhibited internationally in countries such as Australia, Belgium, Germany, Indonesia, New Zealand, and Thailand, and his paintings are in the collection of the National Gallery Singapore, including his most notable work, National Language Class (1959). Public biographical listings identify Tee as a Chinese-born Singaporean painter. This public record remains centered on Tee's work as a Chinese-born Singaporean painter and the documented milestones of that career.