Dato' Chuah Thean Teng sought to capture the lives of the people, focusing on the occupations and trade in the local community. Using the medium of batik, this work depicts a satay stall owner and surrounding figures in an open space, concentrating on refined lines. An earthy colour is used in the background executed with crackle effects. He emphasises the intricate workmanship of the weaved basketry and umbrella. The handheld fan used to grill the satay delicacies is made of bamboo. As acknowledged by Professor Michael Sullivan, Dato' Chuah Thean Teng was hailed as the ‘Father of Batik Painting' (Chinese Art in the 20th Century, 1959), the only Malaysian to have started a world art genre, Batik Painting. He was among the world's art elite in the Commonwealth Artists of Fame exhibition, to mark Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee in 1977. The National Art Gallery Malaysia accorded him an early Retrospective in 1965 and a Tribute in 2008, while Penang's Retrospective came in 1994. Penang also awarded him with the Dato' title in 1998 and the Living Heritage status in 2005. He established Yahong Art Gallery, first at Leith Street (1953) and then Batu Ferringhi (1994), which functions as his veritable museum which includes batik works of his three sons and two grandchildren. He also held solos in the United States and London (Commonwealth Institute). His batik mural commissions included the Malayan Embassy in Canberra, Australia (1959), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur (1960), Malayan Tobacco Company, Kuala Lumpur (1960), and Bank Negara's branch in Penang (1974).