Yong Pang Yee, born in Guangdong Province, China, graduated from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore in 1941, mastering Western fine art under Lim Hak Tai. He also observed Xu Beihong's work and met his lifelong mentor Yong Mun Sen. In 1957, he established the ‘Yang Niu Art Gallery,’ offering photography services and art classes, becoming a famous go-to place for art enthusiasts. Successful students included Wong Jong Nong and Wong Nai Chin. During that period, Yong also worked as a correspondent photographer for the ‘Hong Kong Photography Journal’ and art principal at the Leong Institution.

Yong won the 2nd Prize in oil painting at Malaya's first Selangor Agri-Horticultural Exhibition in 1941. He won the Best Overall Award at an exhibition during the Petaling Jaya town opening ceremony in 1957. He was a core member of the ‘Selangor Arts Association’, an art group led by Peter Harris, contributing to the local art scene alongside artists like T. Selvaratnam, Zakariah Noor, and Fung Yow Chork. Yong was also a close friend of Huang Yao. Yong held numerous solos during his lifetime, most notably in 2001, his solo exhibition was held at the KL Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, jointly organised with the Nanyang Academy of Art Alumni Malaysia.

REFERENCES

‘The Memoirs of Yong Pang Yee’ (2006), published by Chung Chen Sun Art Museum