Working in the late 60s and early 70s, the art of Cheong Soo Pieng developed through a sustained interest in the combination of modern Western techniques of painting with the sensibilities of his formal training in Chinese ink techniques.

Painted in 1961, Calm: Abstract Composition (Lot 7008) is an example of Cheong's adoption of the traditional vertical Chinese hanging scroll, but executed in a highly modernist style. Despite continuing to work within the medium of Chinese ink, the brushwork is bold and expressionistic, and the abstracted landscape evokes a sense of contemplative calm.

Constantly travelling and exposing himself to new ideas and forms of artistic expression, Paysage Chinais 1 (Lot 7007) represents a period in Cheong's work where he executed a series of vivid and emotive abstract paintings, moving almost completely away from figuration. This particular work is significant for its history of exhibition at the Redfern Gallery in London, United Kingdom in 1963.

Kampong Scene (Lot 7009) painted in 1974, sees Cheong's return to an interest in figuration. The abstraction in this painting moves from the amorphous impressionistic style of the 60s, towards a clearer style of geometric abstraction that can be seen most clearly in the boats at the foreground of the painting. Across Cheong's career of constantly shifting styles and mediums, a characteristic artistic essence continues to persist - a true testament to the artist's ability to assimilate a variety of artistic styles into his own practice.