Ma enjoyed painting from a tender age and was even awarded first prize at an art exhibition when he was just nine years old. That experience spurred Ma on to continue painting and eventually admit himself to the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA). Contemporary Chinese artists like Xu Bing, Qiu Zijie, and Liu Xiaodong were all alumni of this elite school.
It was at CAFA that Ma grew to admire master painters such as Lucian Freud and contemporary artist Gerhard Richter, who till this day remains his greatest inspirations as he continues on his artistic journey. “To follow their footsteps was my dream” and so Ma did, he began paving his career as a professional artist upon graduation. After years of hard work, Ma became a highly sought-after artist in international fairs and has fans from different countries. A notable collector of the artist is the esteemed philanthropist, Steven Rockefeller. Ma’s artworks, “Benedict XVI” and “Blue Horse”, even won the Gold award during the 2019 Venice Biennale. The artist’s three most recent auction sales commanded spectacular results, where all have been over S$500K and one lot was sold for more than S$700K. Ma’s artworks have appreciated over the years as people got to know him and his body of works through the various exhibitions.
This story is from the April 2022 edition of MEN 'S FOLIO Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 2022 edition of MEN 'S FOLIO Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Is That Nostalgia I Hear On The Runway?
What can the soundtrack of a fashion show say about the state of fashion, culture and the way we negotiate the movement of music through time? With an observed rise in the use of indie music during the Fall/Winter '24 collections, Men's Folio does some research.
Nobody Does Hedi Like Hedi
Celine Summer '24 is an extension of Hedi Slimane's timeless methods of tackling masculinity, defined by two unchanging tenets of his ever-evolving career - his love for indie rock and the Hedi way.
Studio of Creativity
Bvlgari unveils the Bvlgari Studio in the heart of Seoul, where the maison's iconic B.zero1 shines as a symbol of cutting-edge spirit and creativity.
Two-Tone
From the classic gold and silver execution to new-age alchemy mixand-match, watchmakers are giving two-tone watches a new definition.
Heavy Duty
Sheathing oneself in adornments is a practice as old as time. But when sported by a new generation, the hard-shell decoration of the flesh and bone creates new life and new meaning in the art of decorating oneself.
A World of Our Own
Well into their idol crusade, ATEEZ has hit the jackpot time and again. Before their history-making Coachella stage and new world tour, Men’s Folio sits with MINGI, WOOYOUNG, YEOSANG and YUNHO of ATEEZ in an exploration of their journey, their destination and the friendships they have made along the way.
Heroic Vision
Louis Vuitton's Super Vision opticals are set to be the maison's next hero product.
A Road Never Travelled Before
One year after debuting, xikers, are bent on making sure they stay on the right path no matter which road they take.
Art de vivre.Even While In Seoul
Even while Seoul is packed with in culture, the Sofitel Ambassador Seoul is magnificent in its ability to imbue the French way of living with its impressive Parisian-styled spaces and culinary offerings that does not feel out of place in one of the city's most defining districts.
Rosy Posy
Indulge in the allure of \"Queen of the Garden\" with Belaire Rosé.