Significant achievements in art notwithstanding, Chen Chong Swee was also a prolific, vivid essayist. His writings – collated here and also translated into English for the first time – range from the value of art education to the responsibilities of the art community, and are imbued with ardour and vigorous clarity. This compilation provides a compelling contribution to our understanding of the artist as a man of unwavering focus, whose thoughts cleaved to the advancement of art.