Miguel Covarrubias

I was invited by the Mexican Embassy on the 8th of July for a simple exhibition of some works by Miguel Covarrubias, a Mexican artist, at the National Library.

I didn’t know why he was featured by National Library until the talk by the Mexican Ambassador.

So Miguel went to Bali in 1930 on his honeymoon and was so fascinated by the place that he stayed there for 9 months. He took pictures and studied their culture. He went again in 1934. Thereafter he wrote a handbook on Bali, published in 1937, which is still considered a definitive guide on Bali till today. It is called Island of Bali.

This book was purchased by Lui Kang in 1949. The book was found as part of his possessions together with the date of purchase.

In 1951, Lui Kang, together with 3 other artists, including Cheong Soo Pieng and Chen Wen Hsi, went to Bali for 9 weeks and thereafter had their exhibition of their art works done of their time in Bali in 1953 in Singapore. They are now considered part of the Nanyang art movement.

So the link to Singapore and Miguel was his book that Lui Kang purchased in 1949 before he went on his trip in 1951!