Nai Swee Leng

Biography

Master Nai Swee Leng (赖瑞龙) is a distinguished Singaporean Chinese ink artist whose practice spans more than five decades. A key student of Fan Chang Tien, he also studied under See Hiang To and Chao Shao-an, while his training at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts broadened his artistic foundation. Known for his bold and spontaneous xieyi (写意) style, Nai combines the traditions of the Shanghai and Lingnan schools with Nanyang subjects, creating expressive paintings of flora, fauna and landscapes. Beyond his own practice, he has devoted decades to art education and mentorship, helping nurture successive generations of ink artists in Singapore. His work has received international recognition, including membership of the Xiling Seal Art Society, and is represented in the collection of National Gallery Singapore. In 2025, he was conferred the Cultural Medallion for his significant contribution to Singapore's arts and cultural heritage.