Born in Malaysia in 1973, Bak Chiang graduated with a Diploma from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Singapore in 1995 and studied at the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, China in 1997. A 2002 Young Artist Award recipient, Tay is one of Singapore’s most original painters. He has constantly reinterpreted the norms of traditional Chinese painting by striving towards a Chinese ink style of his own.
Tay paints subjects found in the nature of Singapore and Southeast Asia. He seeks to interpret them in terms of form, composition, technique, material and colour. For him, nature represents perfect balance and harmony. He believes that his art should reflect the spirit of contemporary times as well as bear the imprint of his environment.
Tay was awarded the First Prize in the Chinese Painting category in the 19th and 22nd United Overseas Bank Painting of the Year Competitions, in 2000 and 2003 respectively.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2018 The Fisherman and the Woodcutter – Singapore
2018 From Stone to Mountains – London
2016 Revisit – Beijing
2016 From A Distance – Art Basel , Hong Kong
2015 The Chivalrous Hero – Bangkok
2015 Blue White Vermilion – Singapore
2014 Cleavages Fractures Fold – Singapore
2014 The Story of the Stone – Hong Kong
2013 The Breadth of A Blade – Theatres on the Bay, Singapore
2012 Hear the Wind Sing – Hong Kong
2011 Ingenuity – Singapore
2010 Between Breaths – Singapore
2003 Fa Zi Hua Sheng – Singapore
AWARDS
2003 1st Prize (Traditional Chinese Medium Category), 22nd UOB Painting of the Year Competition, Singapore
2002 Young Artist Award for Visual Arts – National Arts Council Singapore
2002 Distinction – Chinese Painting Category – Dr Tan Tsze Chor Art Award, Singapore
2000 1st Prize (Traditional Chinese Medium Category), 19th UOB Painting of the Year
Competition, Singapore
1999 Distinction – Chinese Painting Category – Dr Tan Tsze Chor Art Award, Singapore
1995 16th Shell Discovery Art Award, Singapore
COLLECTIONS
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore
Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore
National Arts Council, Singapore
National Gallery Singapore
OCBC Bank
Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard, London
Simmons & Simmons Contemporary Art Collection
Singapore Turf Club
Singtel
SC Global Developments
The Istana, official residence and office of the President of Singapore
United Overseas Bank
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