LEO HEE TONG (梁其栋) is a Singaporean artists who impacted and helped shape the local art scene. During Leo’s formative phases, Cheong Soo Pieng, one of Singapore’s pioneer artist was an important influence to his works. Through Cheong, Leo explored and experimented with complex colour relationships and the dynamics of composition. Yet Leo does not just imitate his mentor, he expands and varies the compositional scheme. Pictorial technique wise, pigment is applied vigorously and in layers, producing rough textured and granulated surfaces which is a distinctive feature of Leo Hee Tong’s artworks.
Leo Hee Tong graduated from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in 1960 and participated in numerous exhibitions all over the world. Leo has also received many awards such as the Special Award and Overseas Educational Tour Winner Award organised by the Ministry of Culture in 1975 and 1983, four awards in the Dr Tan Tsze Chor Art Award as well as nine Distinction Awards in UOB Painting of the Year Exhibition.
Collectors and exhibitors of his works include the National Gallery Singapore, the National Library of Singapore, United Overseas Bank Singapore, the Monetary Authority of Singapore, and Singapore Airlines. He was also commissioned to produce works that are currently on display in the reception hall of the Istana.