Dr Ho Kah Leong is a distinguished figure in Singapore’s artistic landscape, with a career marked by significant achievements in education, politics and the arts. Educated at Chung Cheng High School and Nanyang University, Dr Ho began his professional journey in education before transitioning into politics. He was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) in 1966, a role he held until 1996. His parliamentary career saw him rose through the ranks to become Parliamentary Secretary in 1981 and Senior Parliamentary Secretary in 1984. Despite the demands of his political career, Dr Ho’s passion for the arts remained unwavering. His artistic journey began in secondary school and continued throughout his political career.
In 1997, after serving as an MP for three decades, Dr Ho was appointed Principal of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), a role he held until 2003. During his tenure, he raised funds and built the NAFA campuses ’s along Bencoolen Street. Dr Ho’s diverse artistic pursuits include oil paintings created en plein air, Chinese calligraphy, and woodcut prints. Known for his bold, distinctive strokes, Dr Ho’s oil paintings and calligraphy reflect his deep engagement with the arts. His woodcut prints, a popular form he revitalised from 1950s to 1970s, received positive acclaims in numerous exhibitions.
During his political career, Dr Ho frequently officiated at exhibitions and contributed to charitable auctions. He also held several art exhibitions for charity, frequently donating his works to support various causes. In 1990, Dr Ho’s solo exhibitions highlighted his artistic evolution, of the Nostalgic Scenes at the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, followed by Beauty Lion City in 1991 and Scenes Splendour at in 1993 at the NAFA Gallery. In 1997, Dr Ho presented Passion for Art: Solo Exhibition of Ho Kah Leong’s Location Painting at SooBin Gallery, further solidifying his reputation in the arts community. His works continued to gain prominence with Idyllic Nanyang at SooBin Gallery in 2000, and Idyllic Tropics at Central Gallery in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2001. The year 2002 saw his works, Beauty of Nature being displayed at the NAFA Gallery, and Parks in Garden City showcased at ARTium in 2006, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts. His other exhibited works include Last Kampung of Singapore: Lorong Buangkok at Tembusu Art Gallery in 2007, and Poetic Ubin at Black Earth Art Museum in 2008. Dr Ho’s work continued to capture attention in 2009 with Splendour of Lakes and Hills, and Rhythm of the Sea in 2011, both held at Tembusu Art Gallery. In 2013 and 2015he showcased the Lion City Rediscovered at both Tembusu Art Gallery and ION Art Gallery and Exotic Landscapes at Tembusu Art Gallery and The Art Space at Suntec respectively. His most recent works is the Trilogy Art of Ho Kah Leong display at The Art Space by Natalie Wong in 2024.
Dr Ho received numerous accolades for his contributions, including the NTUC Friend of Labour Medal in 1981 and was awarded the Peru Cultural Medal in 2000. In August 2001, received an Honorary Doctorate (Doctor of Philosophy in Arts) from Wisconsin International University. An exceptional and inspiring individual, Dr Ho’s ’profound commitment to public service and the arts is a testament of his achievements and contributions that continues to inspire future generations.