{{Short description|Chinese cartoonist}} {{orphan|date=October 2023}}
'''Tchang Ju Chi''' ({{lang-zh|张汝器}}; 1904 — 1942), also known under the pseudonym '''Lian Ruo''', was a Chinese cartoonist who was one of the earliest practising artists in Singapore.
==Early life and education== Tchang was born in Chao'an, Guangdong in 1904. After graduating from high school, he studied at the Shanghai University Fine Arts College. he later attended the Marseille Academy of Fine Arts.<ref name = "Ref@NLB">{{cite web |url= https://reference.nlb.gov.sg/guides/singapore/people/tchang-ju-chi/|title= Tchang Ju Chi|last= |first= |date= |website= Reference@NLB|publisher= |access-date= 14 October 2023|quote=}}</ref>
==Career== While he was passing through Singapore, he was persuaded by friends to stay. He was then employed at the Tuan Mong School and the Yeung Ching School as a teacher. On 11 February 1929, he established the Ju Chi studio, which dealt in advertisements and apprenticeship classes, at 306 River Valley Road. On 15 July, he became the editor-in-chief of the ''Sin Chew Jit Poh'' literary supplement ''Starlight''. In August, he chaired the Singapore Fine Art Exhibition, which was organised by the Singapore Youth Lee Chee Association. In the following year, he became the editor-in-chief of ''Coconut Splendour'', a pictorial supplement to ''Lat Pau''.<ref name = "Say">{{cite book|title= Intersections, Innovations, Institutions: A Reader In Singapore Modern Art|pages= 208–209|isbn= 9789811261213|access-date=|last1= Yu|first1= Jin Seng|last2= Say|first2= Jeffrey|publisher=World Scientific|year=2022|url=}}</ref>
In 1936, Tchang became the first president of the Society of Chinese Artists. Following the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, he began teaching at the academy.<ref name = "Say"/> His artworks were the first to feature the "Nanyang colour".<ref>{{cite book|title= A General History Of The Chinese In Singapore|pages= 557|isbn= 9789813277656|access-date=|last1= Chong|first1= Guan Kwa|last2= Kua|first2= Bak Lim|publisher=World Scientific|year=2022|url=}}</ref> Prior to the Japanese occupation of Singapore, he produced several works which criticised the Japanese,<ref>{{cite book | url= | title=新加坡潮州文化名人录 | isbn=9789813206595 | author1=邹璐 | author2=何华 | date=23 March 2016 |pages= 188–189| publisher=Global }}</ref> including one which depicted Chinese women being raped by the Imperial Japanese Army, which impelled overseas Chinese to raise funds for the war effort in China. According to artist Liu Kang, Tchang's "realistic oil paintings are characterised by charming colours, an elegant and gentle style, and the meticulous depiction of subject."<ref name = "Siew"/>
==Death== He was arrested by the Japanese military in February 1942 during Sook Ching.<ref name = "Ref@NLB"/> He was then executed on Changi Beach with his sister's husband, artist Zhang Youzhao.<ref name = "Siew">{{cite book|title= Liu Kang: Essays on Art and Culture|pages= 245|isbn= 9789811419614|access-date=|last1= Siew|first1= Kah Yeow|last2= Siew|first2= Sara|publisher=National Gallery Singapore|year=2022|url=}}</ref>
Some of his works are placed on display at the permanent exhibition ''Siapa Nama Kamu?'' at the National Gallery Singapore.<ref name = "Ref@NLB"/>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tchang, Ju Chi}} Category:1904 births Category:1942 deaths Category:Chinese editorial cartoonists Category:People executed by Japanese occupation forces