{
  "id": 17496029,
  "title": "A small-town Kedah boy who dared to make the world his canvas",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/a-small-town-kedah-boy-who-dared-to-make-the-world-his-canvas",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-31T23:31:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/sunday-vibes/2026/11/1567935/small-town-kedah-boy-who-dared-make-world-his-canvas"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A small-town boy from Kedah, Malaysia, dared to make his mark on the world through his artwork. Eng Tay, a 79-year-old artist, grew up in Bukit Besar, a village in Kedah, as the fifth of eight children. His father worked on a rubber estate, while his mother made kuih, a type of traditional snack, to help make ends meet. Tay's mother passed away when he was young, and his father remarried later. Tay found solace in art at school, but traditional academic pursuits didn't interest him. Instead, he aimed to explore beyond the confines of his small village. Initially considering Taiwan for its affordable education, Tay found inspiration from a teacher who encouraged him to pursue art studies in the United States. However, his father, a traditional man, struggled with the idea of a son dedicating his life to art. Despite the conventional path expected of him, Tay was determined to see the world. In 1968, he left for New York with only a one-way ticket and about US$300, pooled together by relatives. His journey took him through Singapore, Taipei, Hawaii, and Tokyo before finally landing in New York. Tay faced hardships upon arrival, sharing a taxi with a Japanese couple and eventually finding a studio apartment for US$32 a month. He worked various jobs, including in a Chinatown sausage factory, to pay for his art education. His perseverance paid off when he graduated from the Art Students League and School of Visual Arts in 1972 with a background in graphic design. Tay's breakthrough came at an outdoor art fair where a Taiwanese artist encouraged him to set up a booth. His first sale was a watercolor depicting a kampung scene, a small but significant affirmation that his art could find an audience. Over time, Tay's work found buyers in Hong Kong and Taiwan, with collectors traveling from afar to acquire his pieces. Despite the challenges and the financial demands of the art world, Tay's dedication and talent ensured his art resonated with collectors worldwide.",
  "summary": "EVERY so often, a painting finds its way into your life and stays there, not because you know what it means, but because of how it makes you feel.",
  "key_points": [
    "Eng Tay, 79, Kedah-born artist, made mark through artwork.",
    "Despite father's opposition, Tay pursued art education in US.",
    "First art sale in Taiwan, collectors worldwide."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}