Dr Ho Kah Leong served as Principal of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts from 1997 to 2003, and was awarded the NAFA Distinguished Alumni Award in 2024.
Having learnt the art of woodcut printmaking in the 1950s, Dr Ho has maintained a lifelong passion for the medium. Over the years, he has witnessed the gradual decline in the popularity of woodcut printmaking in Singapore, particularly following the passing of pioneering artists such as Foo Chee San, Lim Mue Hue and Lim Yew Kwan.

The first section focuses on portraiture.
These works showcase Dr Ho’s distinctive interpretations of individuals from different walks of life, including prominent political figures such as Lee Kuan Yew, Halimah Yacob and Heng Swee Keat. The section also includes portraits of his wife Grace, family members, and close friends such as fellow artists Lee Choon Kee and Tay Chee Toh. These works reveal Dr Ho’s fascination with facial expression and character, as well as his exploration of how woodcut techniques can capture the individuality and emotional depth of each subject.