Chua Soo Bin, also spelt Chua Soo-Bin, (Chinese: 蔡斯民; born 1932[1]) is a Singaporean fine-art photographer and recipient of the Cultural Medallion in 1989. Chua was described by The Straits Times as "one of the most sought-after commercial photographers" in Singapore.[2]
Chua was born 1932 in Singapore.[1] He is the oldest of six children. His father worked at a factory, and his mother was a dressmaker. Chua attended Chong Zhen Primary School, and did not pursue further academic education. He studied art at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts.[3]
Chua started his career as a photographer in 1950. As an amateur photographer working for an agency, Chua was cited as "the youngest cameraman in Malaya to be awarded the degree of A.R.P.S [Associate of the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain]".[4] Chua turned professional in 1972.[1] He served as a judge for the 7th Open Photographic Exhibition organised by the Singapore Art Society,[4] as well as the 40th Singapore International Salon of Photography.[1] His photographs have been showcased in Britain,[4] China and Singapore.[5] In 1990,[6] Chua established the Soo Bin Art Gallery, which displays artworks by contemporary Chinese artists;[5] he is credited with introducing Chinese contemporary art to Singapore.[3] Its paintings fetching tens of thousands of dollars,[3] Soo Bin Art Gallery moved from Halifax Road to Hill Street in August 2000.[7] Chua is the Singapore Gallery Association's Chairperson.[6]
Around 1989, Chua experienced a stroke, which he recovered from quickly.[1] He is married to Choo Hsien (née Liew).[3] They have three children – Cher Wei, Cher Tzoen, and Cher Him.[1] He is the owner of two country houses in Chengdu, China, as well as five warehouses in Singapore.[3] Chua is an avid collector, owning more than twenty luxury watches in addition to around a hundred bottles of wine.[3]
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