In Search of Inspiration - The Art of James Tan

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ARTIST'S STATEMENT

At the end of the nineteenth century, several revolutionary-minded young Chinese artists attempted to create a "New National Painting" style reflecting the impending cultural and political changes. From other cultures, they brought innovative ideas, new subjects, and techniques such as fixed perspective, shading light effects and strong unconventional colors. They then added their own creative energy, bringing a new richness and depth to the traditional art forms—creating the Lingnan school of Chinese brush painting. In the past twenty-five years, my own search for inspiration has led me to extend my work beyond the traditions of the Lingnan school, creating a style of Chinese brush painting which is distinctly my own.

I’ve tried to move beyond tradition to create new images, composition and mood—to introduce a sense of freedom and life and harmony, free from the rules and constraints of the past. I stress mood and feeling in my paintings, achieved through the harmony of colours in the background. I paint my feelings and allow the appreciative eye to interpret my works according to what it sees. Others may not see my work as I intend, but that’s fine. Reading a painting is personal.

I paint mostly from memory. I use my mind like a camera. I seek inspiration everywhere...on my travels, in the works of other artists, and especially in nature. I dream about the subject and the scenery in my mind. Then the driving force of inspiration pushes me to put that dream onto paper. Many of my paintings contain birds. To me they symbolize the essence of life—beauty, harmony, and freedom. And of course, romance. When I look at a bird in flight—free to go wherever it wants—dreaming is easy. Recently I find myself moving toward the contemporary...Chinese painting should not be just plum blossoms, bamboo, and mountains. Contemporary painting gives me the chance to explore new directions and to expose myself to a new world where what matters is image and emotions, not just subject. But even then, I blend East and West: the delicacy of Chinese brush painting with the excitement of Western art.

I often experiment with new methods and media—acrylics, oils, even newspapers and sponges. I like to try new things – new subjects, new techniques. But I always paint the way I want. I believe in following my inspiration, wherever it leads—a personal, never-ending task. I’m always somewhere but I never arrive.

Biography of James Tan

 

    Born in Johore, Malaysia, James Tan graduated from the Singapore Academy of Art in 1972, continuing his studies with Chinese brush painting master Ng Hock-Ting (Singapore and Professor Au Ho-Nien (Taiwan).  As an established Lingnan master himself, he now teaches the arts of Chinese brush painting   In San Francisco, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and and London to students from many Countries, including the United States, Singapore, England, Germany, Australia, Taiwan and China. 

 

HONORS AND AWARDS
    
     James was awarded First Prize in the Singapore National Art Competition (1974); the "Morning Mist" Special Award, Ministry of Culture, Singapore (1981); the Consolation Prize in the United Overseas Bank (UOB) Art Competition, Singapore (1984).  He was invited to the Second Young Artists Exhibition sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and the National Museum, Singapore (1984); represented Singapore in Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs "Singapore Artists Art Exhibition" in Yokohama, Kobe and Sapporo, Japan (1985); selected to exhibit at the Singapore Festival of Art (1988); and sponsored by Shell Corporation to give a seminar and demonstration at their special Culture Program, Singapore (1989).
    
LECTURES AND DEMONSTRATIONS    

    James gives lectures and demonstrations on the history and art of Chinese brush painting to small and large groups in such settings as the National Museum Art Gallery (Singapore), and The Victoria and Albert Museum in London.  He also gives demonstrations annually at the "Art in Action" festival organized by the Art Department of The School of Economic Science, London.
    
TEACHING

    1974 / 2001 Have been teaching both ancient and Ling-Nan School of Chinese brush paintings techniques for 27 years in San Francisco, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and London. My courses have been comprehensive, including history and specific painting techniques. Students come from many countries, including the United States, Singapore, England, Germany, Australia, Taiwan and China.

 

 ONE MAN EXHIBITIONS

• 2003                     Asian Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada

• 2003                     Vancouver Public Library, BC Canada

• 1995                     Chinese Museum, Melbourne, Australia.

• 1994                     Warwick Gallery, Beaconsfield, England.

• 1993                     Warwick Gallery, Beaconsfield, England.

• 1993                     Old Luxter's Gallery, Henley-on-Thames, England.

• 1992                     National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore.

• 1990                     The Empress Place Museum. Singapore.

• 1988                     Gallery of Fine Art, Singapore.

• 1988                     National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore.

• 1985                     Gallery of Fine Art, Singapore.

• 1983                     National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore.

• 1982                     Military Art Center, Taipei, Taiwan.

• 1982                     Victoria Memorial Hall, Singapore.

• 1981                     Gallery of Fine Art, Singapore.

• 1981                     Art House Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

• 1981                     Penang Museum, Penang, Malaysia.

• 1981                     Victoria Memorial Hall, Singapore.

• 1980                     The President Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand.

• 1980                     Exhibition Hall, Ipoh, Malaysia.

• 1980                     Art House Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

• 1980                     National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore.

• 1980                     Gallery of Fine Art, Singapore.

• 1979                     Asia Foundation, San Francisco, California, USA.

• 1979                     Renaissance Gallery, Ukiah, California, USA.

• 1979                     Chinese Culture Foundation, San Francisco, California, USA.

• 1979                     Michelle B. Babcock, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.

• 1979                     Jolo Pottery & Gallery, Sanoma, California,

• 1977                     East Art Gallery, San Francisco, California, USA.

• 1977                     Chinese Chamber of Commerce Exhibition Hall, Singapore.

• 1977                     ETC Gallery, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.

• 1977                     Renaissance Gallery, Ukiah, California, USA.

• 1975                     East Wind Art gallery, San Francisco, California, USA.

• 1974                     Penang, Malaysia.

• 1974                     Ipoh, Malaysia.

• 1974                     The Malaysia Art Institute, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

• 1974                     First Solo in Singapore organized by The Society of Chinese Artist.

 GROUP EXHIBITIONS
     
1970-2003 

Singapore, San Francisco, Sacramento California USA, Dubai, Bahrain, Yokohama, Kobe and Sapporo Japan, Sydney Australia and Germany, Victoria & Calgary

 COLLECTION
 

 His works are found in public and private collections around the world. Owners include: the Emir of Bahrain; the Arab Emirates; the Foreign Office (Dubai); the Gulf International, UIC, UOB and DBS Banks (Singapore); BP Petroleum; the Crown Prince, Marina Mandarin, Oriental and Glass Hotels (Singapore); the Singapore Trade Commission (Taiwan); the Ministries of Health, Foreign Affairs and Defenses (Singapore); Vogel Park (Hamburg, Germany); Japan Fleet Services (Singapore); Hotel Istana (Kuala Lumpur), the Penang Museum (Malaysia).

 

 

 

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