Earl Lu Ming Teh | 卢明德 (b. 1925, Hong Kong; d. 2005, Pisa, Italy) was a medical surgeon, collector of Chinese and Southeast Asian ceramics and paintings, and prominent art patron and philanthropist in Singapore.
Lu was also a hobbyist painter known for his paintings of roses using Chinese brush. His family were collectors of Chinese porcelain and brush paintings, which inspired him to begin studying painting in 1956. He trained under first generation artist Chen Wen Hsi.
Lu was active at promoting the visual arts and art education in Singapore. Amongst other roles, he was chairman of the Singapore Art Museum (1992 to 1999), president of the Southeast Asian Ceramic Society (1984 to 1986), a member of the LASALLE-SIA College of the Arts board of directors (2003), arts advisor to the National Arts Council (1994 to 2000) and chairman of the Istana Art Collection Advisory Committee (2000 to 2005). Lu received awards for his contributions, including the LASALLE-SIA Award for Distinguished Service to Arts Education (1986) and the Public Service Star (1995).
Lu donated much of his art to fundraising exhibitions and auctions supporting causes for humanity, including the St Andrew’s Mission Hospital (1971), the Liver Transplantation Programme in Cambridge and in Singapore (1992), and the Asian Women’s Welfare Association TEACH ME programme (1994).
Lu also donated his art collections to institutions including the National University of Singapore Museum, LASALLE-SIA College of the Arts, the Asian Civilisations Museum and the Singapore Art Museum.