YEH CHI WEI

1913

• Born in the Hongwei, Minhou County, Fuzhou in 1913.

• Original name: Ye Baoshi.

​1919

• Moved to Singapore with mother and older sister.

1920​​

• Shortly after arriving in Singapore, the family relocated to Kuching, Sarawak, eventually settling in Romanan.

1925

• Sent back to Fuzhou for education by mother.

1933​​

• Completed secondary education and enrolled in the Shanghai Xinhua Art School.

1936​​

• Graduated from the Western Painting faculty of Shanghai Xinhua Art School.

1937​​

• Escaped to Singapore after the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War.

1939

• Participated in the 4th Annual Exhibition organised by the Society of Chinese Artists.

1940

• Married Jiang Guoxiu and had five children: Toh Yih, Toh Chiok, Toh Chee, Toh Woi and Toh Sin.

• Settled in Kuching, Sarawak, and taught at various schools in Singapore and Malaysia, including Muar Chung Hwa High School and Chung Cheng High School.

1948

• Completed work "Drying the Boat" (烘船) was selected as one of the artworks for the exhibition organized by the Chinese Art Research Institute.

• In 1948, he started teaching at Muar Chung Hwa High School, where he was responsible for teaching art and also guided the school's theatrical performances. Chong Chia Ming (​张嘉民), Tan Puay Jin (陈培仁), Huang Guoqiang (黄国强), and Guo Lian Ti (郭连棣) were all his students at Chung Hwa High School in Muar during that time.

1949

• during the period from 1948 to 1949, after the passing of Jiang Guoxiu in Sibu,

• Yeh Chi Wei brought his five children to Malaya (now Malaysia).

• The family left Muar and moved to Taiping.

1950

• during the period from 1949 to 1950, Yeh Chi Wei married Guo Lian Ti (郭连棣). Guo Liandi was a former student of Yeh Chi Wei. After their marriage, they had two sons, Toh Yen and Du Lit and one daughter, Toh Liang. The couple taught at Taiping Hua Lian High School.

1951

• they relocated to Kuala Pilah. he taught at Chung Hwa High School, and his former student, Huang Guoqiang, served as an assistant for the art class. From 1951 to 1952, Yeh Chi Wei taught at Taiping Hua Lian High School.

• Later, the family moved to Johor, then to Teriang, and returned to Singapore after one year.

1952

• Upon the invitation of Principal Chiang Chu Lin from Chung Cheng High School, he went to teach at Chung Cheng and moved into the school dormitory with his eldest daughter, Toh Yih, and son, Toh Yen. The rest of the family remained in their home in Maur until the early 1960s when they relocated to Singapore. Their neighbours in the dormitory included Yeo Hwee Bin (杨惠民), Fang Zhi (方至), and their families. Among the students were Lim Tze Peng (林子平) (graduated in 1948), Liu Thai Ger (刘太格) (graduated in 1954), and Ho Kah Leong (何家良)  (graduated in 1959).

1958

• Become Malaya citizen.

1960s​

• From 1960 onwards, organised painting trips for the "Ten Men Group", traveling and sketching in South-East Asia and various parts of Asia, and after returning to the country, organised the Ten Men Art Exhibition.

1961

• Traveled along the east coast of the Malay Peninsula for sketching, and after returning to the country, held the first Ten Artists Exhibition at Victoria Memorial Hall.

1962

• Traveled in Java and Bali, Indonesia for sketching, and held the second Ten Men Art Exhibition after returning.

1963

• Traveled for sketching in Thailand and Cambodia, and held the third Ten Artists Exhibition after returning.

1964

• Left Chung Cheng High School.

• Operated bookstores in Nan Chiau High School, Mount Vernon Secondary School, Upper Aljunied High School, Xin Min Primary School, and etc.

1965

• Ten Artists visited Sarawak, and after returning to the country, held the fourth Ten Men Art Exhibition.

• In May, two works were selected for the "Contemporary Art Exhibition in Singapore" held in Kuala Lumpur. Four works were selected for the First National Art Exhibition. Six works were exhibited at the 30th Annual Art Exhibition held by the Society of Chinese Artists.

1968年​​

• Ten Artists visited Kota Kinabalu, Brunei, Miri, and Sibu.

• Appointed as President of the Society of Chinese Artists.

1969年​​

• Continued as President of the Society of Chinese Artists.

• Appointed Vice President of the Singapore Art Society.

• His work "Dayak's Dance" was selected for an exhibition organised by the Singapore Art Society.

• Three works participated in the Singapore 150th Anniversary Singapore Art Exhibition. He was a member of the exhibition's Organising Committee and participated in the Publication Sub-committee and Selection Committee for Western Paintings

• On October 19, he was interviewed by a television station, and the program was broadcasted on December 20 at 8:45 pm on Channel 8.

• From December 18 to 21, he held his first solo exhibition at Victoria Memorial Hall, showcasing 125 artworks. The opening ceremony was attended by Mr. Lien Shih Sheng (连士升), President of the Nanyang Academy and Editor-in-Chief of Nanyang Siang Pau. Liu Kang (刘抗), President of the Singapore Art Society, and Huang Bao Fang, Vice President of the Society of Chinese Artists, also delivered speeches at the event.

1970​​

• Traveled to Sumatra for sketching and had exchanges with local artists.

• From October 1 to 4 of the same year, the fifth Ten Artists exhibition was held at Victoria Memorial Hall.

• Participated in the establishment of the Southeast Asian Art Association. In the same year, the association organised an international Southeast Asian art competition, attracting participation from artists across South-East Asia and exhibiting over 300 artworks.

• Assumed the position of President of the South-East Asia Art Association.

1971

• lead a 25-member painting group to Indonesia, Nepal, Myanmar, and Thailand.

• Appointed as a member of the National Day Art Exhibition Organising Committee and also participated in the Display Committee and Selection Committee for Western Paintings. Two artworks were also exhibited at the National Day Art Exhibition.

1972

• From September 21st to 24th, the "Travel to India Art Exhibition" was held at the Victoria Memorial Hall.

• Continued as the President of the Southeast Asian Art Association.

• Appointed as a member of the National Day Art Exhibition Organizing Committee, and also also participated in the Display Committee and Selection Committee for Western Paintings. Two artworks were selected for exhibition at the National Day Art Exhibition.

1973

• In March, a joint exhibition was held at the Alpha Gallery with artists Jaafa Latif, Chieu  Shuey Fook (邱瑞福)and Lim Nang Seng (林浪新).

• Appointed as a member of the National Day Art Exhibition Working Committee, and also participated in the Display Committee and Selection Committee for Western Paintings. Two artworks were selected for exhibition at the National Day Art Exhibition.

• Continued as the President of the South-East Asia Art Association.

1974

• Traveled to Vietnam, Taiwan, and Hong Kong with friends and fellow artists Chen Cheng Mei (陈城梅), Choo Keng Kwang (朱庆光), and Shui Tit Sing (许铁生) for sketching trips. After returning home, organized the "South-East Asia Art Exhibition."

• Appointed as a member of the National Day Art Exhibition Working Committee, and also participated in the Display Committee and Selection Committee for Western Paintings. Two artworks were selected for exhibition at the National Day Art Exhibition.

1975

• Appointed as the Vice-Chairman of the National Day Art Exhibition's Working Committee, chairperson of the Display Committee, and a member of the Selection Committee for Western Paintings. Two artworks were selected for exhibition at the National Day Art Exhibition.

1976

• Traveled with a group of artists to the Philippines for sketching and painting, and organized the "Travel to the Philippines Art Exhibition" upon returning to the country.

• Appointed as the Chairman of the National Day Art Exhibition's Display Committee and a member of the Selection Committee for Western Paintings. Four artworks were selected for exhibition at the National Day Art Exhibition.

1977

• Held a joint exhibition with artists such as Goh Beng Kwan (吴珉权) and Tan Choh Tee (陈楚智) at the Philippine Cultural Center in Manila.

• Participated in the National Day Art Exhibition and served as a member for the Display Committee.

1978

• They left Singapore with his wife and settled in a orchard in Sedili in Kota Tinggi, Johor, to enjoy their retirement life. They named their new home "Magnolia Garden".

• He immersed himself in painting and planned to hold his second solo exhibition in 1982 after completing 100 artworks. He also planned to travel to China for sketching and painting.

1981

• He passed away in Singapore due to brain cancer.