Choo Ruizhong (Mr)

Proposed Thesis Title: When the Seas Turned Blue: A Material History of Color in the Buddhist Murals of Central Siam, 1824-1868
Supervisor: Dr Matthew Reeder

Choo Ruizhong is a Master’s student in the History Department at the National University of Singapore (NUS). His current research interests focus on the economic trade patterns of Southeast Asia, the dynamics of Siamese politics and religion, and the visual landscape of modernity in mural painting. His thesis examines the historical evolution of colour usage in the Buddhist murals of Central Siam, assessing the role of artistic materials in visually representing evolving views among the elite of Theravada Buddhism, regional economic relations and political legitimacy in the kingdom.

Ruizhong earned his bachelor’s degree in History at NUS, with a second major in Sociology. He currently works as a Research Assistant to Assoc. Prof. Jack Meng-Tat Chia, exploring the role of Buddhist diplomacy in contemporary Asia, and is the Manager of the NUS Buddhist Studies Group.

A self-taught artist, Ruizhong has had his work exhibited at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre and was the creative designer for the G. L. Louis Religious Pluralism Research Cluster. He was previously engaged as the lead website developer for Nanyang Technological University’s project on vernacular shrines, “Gods on Earth”, and Eka Suwara Santhi, Singapore’s only Balinese dance troupe. He is the illustrator for an upcoming children’s book, The Journey of Ashin Jinarakkhita. Ruizhong loves to sketch on a drawing pad in his leisure time.