Yong Cheong Thye was born in Singapore in 1946. After graduating from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in 1966, his keen interest and search for the deeper meaning of Chinese art brought him under the pupilage of the late Master Calligrapher Tsue Ta Ti in 1967. His vast artistic talent was soon revealed through the expert guidance of Master Tsue. Yong’s own vision of the artistic order soon blossomed into new art forms, which have won wide acclaim both locally and internationally.

Master Yong’s calligraphic talent was first shown when he won first-prize in nation wide Chinese calligraphy competitions in 1976 and 1977. Unwilling to let art be appreciated by only a few, he accepted invitation by the Singapore Tourism Board to introduce Singapore through his art exhibits overseas. His brushes have travelled with him to milestone exhibitions in Canada, Germany, Finland, Sweden, China, France, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, Italy, England, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Japan and Korea.

Locally, Master Yong has also accepted commercial invitations through both his art exhibits and calligraphy demonstrations and even the applications of calligraphy in advertisements which most artists would shun away.

With the in-depth understanding of the Chinese Calligraphy both as a discipline and an art, Master Yong’s views and opinions have always been sought after both in locally and internationally.