Dr Tan (centre) riding camels in the desert of Morocco in 2018.
THE pandemic years were hard on everyone, particularly those who had to simultaneously contend with other serious health issues.
But rather than let life’s challenges weigh them down, many took it in their stride and beat the odds.
Some even chalked up notable accomplishments in the process.
Penang-based psychiatrist, writer, publisher, artist and gallery owner Datuk Dr Tan Chee Khuan is a great example, writing and publishing his autobiography while battling prostate cancer.
He was diagnosed in mid-2020, not long after Covid-19 hit Malaysia, and quickly underwent robotic radical prostatectomy.
While resting and recuperating at home, inspiration struck.
“It was approaching the 20th anniversary of my beloved wife’s passing in 2001. I felt that writing my autobiography would be a good way of honouring her memory.
“I previously penned many articles on my travels and psychiatry practice in magazines, so it was only a matter of compiling everything and adding new information,” the 75-year old shared.
He had always been a prolific writer, having authored some 60 books on art.
His 2014 hardcover, Eight Pioneers Of Malaysian Art, is regarded as the definitive tome on the subject.
It took him only a year to complete the autobiography, which he titled My Life As A Psychiatrist And Gallerist.
But there was some bad news in between.
“Unfortunately, the cancer recurred in April 2021. It had metastasised to two lymph nodes so I needed a second operation to remove them.
“Datuk Dr Yip Kok Thye handled the procedure superbly and there wasn’t much adverse effect. Having prostate cancer didn’t really upset me as it is the most common cancer among men.
“I’m pleased to say I’m now in remission and feeling fit and healthy,” said Dr Tan, who now goes for regular walks with daughter Ee Lene at local gardens and enjoys spotting wildlife like the dusky leaf monkey and the rare colugo or gliding lemur.
He published the autobiography in September 2021 but held off launching it until March 2023 to coincide with his solo charity art exhibition, which was held at The Art Gallery Penang which he founded in 1989 and is located in Bellisa Row, Pulau Tikus.
The show featured 35 paintings done between 2007 and 2016.
Dr Tan is a prolific writer, having written some 60 books. He wrote his autobiography My Life As A Psychiatrist And Gallerist during the pandemic. — Photos: DATUK DR TAN CHEE KHUAN
Colour blindness
Dr Tan is a self-taught artist.
From a young age, he was often criticised for painting human beings in shades of green, which teachers and friends described as Martians.
“I was puzzled as the colour seemed correct to me. Only later in Form 6, after eye testing, did I discover that I was red-green colour-deficient,” he said.
Born in Muar, Johor, he attended the Government English Prep School (GEPS) until it closed post-independence, after which he studied at Ismail School Muar and then Muar High School.
His colour blindness posed some difficulty in chemistry classes when he needed to titrate chemicals and monitor colour changes, but luckily he had supportive classmates who helped.
He got a scholarship to study medicine at Universiti Malaya and graduated in 1973. After that, he returned to do his Masters in psychological medicine and graduated in 1978.
He moved to Penang in 1983 to take up a position as a psychiatrist at Lam Wah Ee Hospital.
Work made him too busy to paint, but he became an avid art collector.
After being introduced to local artists like the late great Yong Mun Sen, Dr Tan bought many of their works.
Over the years, he would amass several hundred pieces.
He was not content just owning pieces but also wanted to know more about the talents who made them.
With not much information readily available, Dr Tan did his own research and started writing books, becoming an art historian in the process.
He had a stint as the Penang State Art Gallery’s deputy chairman and in 2020 donated some 330 pieces from his personal collection to the gallery’s permanent collection.
It was only in 2006 that Dr Tan decided to overcome his fear of painting in colour.
He did Wine, Woman And Song with leftover oil paints and later used an image of it on a greeting card.
He received favourable feedback, painted more and has not stopped since.
“Art brings me peace of mind and joy after a hard day at work. My clinic is also filled with art, and between seeing patients, I rest my eyes by focusing on the artworks around.
“I came from a poor background and had a tough childhood. But I’ve led a fulfilling life since,” Dr Tan said, pointing to his travels as another source of happiness.
This makes up one half of his autobiography, with the other covering his professional life.
He has been to all six continents, with destinations as diverse and exotic as Alaska, the Maldives, the Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, Ecuador, Los Angeles, Miami, Washington DC and the Caribbean.
“Of all, the Galapagos stood out the most because of the unusual animals which are found nowhere else thanks to millions of years of isolated evolution.
“It was one of the most exciting adventures of my life,” added Dr Tan, who intends to continue living life to its fullest.
