# Tchang Ju Chi
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{{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](/source/Chao'an_District) in 1904. After graduating from high school, he studied at the [Shanghai University Fine Arts College](/source/Shanghai_University_Fine_Arts_College). he later attended the [Marseille Academy of Fine Arts](/source/Marseille_Academy_of_Fine_Arts).[{{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=}}]
==Career==
While he was passing through Singapore, he was persuaded by friends to stay. He was then employed at the [Tuan Mong School](/source/Tuan_Mong_High_School) and the [Yeung Ching School](/source/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](/source/Sin_Chew_Jit_Poh_(Singapore))'' literary supplement ''[Starlight](/source/Starlight_(literary_supplement))''. 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](/source/Lat_Pau)''.[{{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](/source/World_Scientific)|year=2022|url=}}]
In 1936, Tchang became the first president of the [Society of Chinese Artists](/source/Society_of_Chinese_Artists). Following the [Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts](/source/Nanyang_Academy_of_Fine_Arts), he began teaching at the academy.[{{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](/source/World_Scientific)|year=2022|url=}}] Prior to the [Japanese occupation of Singapore](/source/Japanese_occupation_of_Singapore), he produced several works which criticised the Japanese,[{{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 }}] including one which depicted Chinese women being raped by the [Imperial Japanese Army](/source/Imperial_Japanese_Army), which impelled overseas Chinese to raise funds for the war effort in China. According to artist [Liu Kang](/source/Liu_Kang_(artist)), Tchang's "realistic oil paintings are characterised by charming colours, an elegant and gentle style, and the meticulous depiction of subject."[{{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](/source/National_Gallery_Singapore)|year=2022|url=}}]
Some of his works are placed on display at the permanent exhibition ''Siapa Nama Kamu?'' at the [National Gallery Singapore](/source/National_Gallery_Singapore).