Private Preview:
4th October 2025
Exhibition Opens to Public:
6th October 2025 —— 24th October 2025
Venue:
50 Cuscaden Road, HPL House #01-01, Singapore 249724
Tel: + 65 6339 0678 Fax: + 65 6438 2080
iPRECIATION is delighted to present Within Ink, Beyond Form —— 12 Years Journey of Tay Bak Chiang, a retrospective showcasing twelve years of Tay Bak Chiang’s (b. 1993) artistic evolution. Known for his evocative reinterpretation of traditional Chinese ink painting, Bak Chiang’s work explores the quiet interplay between nature, memory, and being. Spanning three major bodies of work — Stone, Guqin, and Local Food — the exhibition traces the artist’s material and conceptual transformation, from the absorbent delicacy of rice paper to richly layered pigments on canvas.
Rooted in his close observation of nature in Singapore and Southeast Asia, Tay Bak Chiang’s artistic practice has long centered on floral, geological, and natural motifs — from blooming lotuses and sunbirds to palm groves and weathered stones. This exhibition invites viewers to experience Bak Chiang’s evolution in form and philosophy: from the stoic stillness of stones and meditative resonance of Guqin, to the sensory intimacy of food and fragments of daily life.
About the Exhibition:
Within Ink, Beyond Form – 12 Years Journey of Tay Bak Chiang presents a comprehensive retrospective of Singaporean artist Tay Bak Chiang’s recent work, tracing twelve years of artistic transformation rooted in his enduring dialogue with nature, memory, and being. In this exhibition, Tay Bak Chiang presents his Stone Series, Guqin Series, and Food Series — works that not only continue his keen engagement with natural and cultural symbols, but also reflect his ongoing exploration and transformation in tools and techniques.
Over the past twelve years, Bak Chiang has continued to redefine the boundaries of ink by moving beyond rice paper to mineral pigments on canvas. His signature Stone Series imbues geological forms with meditative presence, while his Guqin Series explores resonance and absence through hollowed perspectives. In response to the pandemic, his Food Series captures the sensory memory of street food culture with bold, pared-down forms.
About the Artist:
Tay Bak Chiang (b. 1973) is a Singaporean artist whose work draws inspiration from the natural landscapes of Southeast Asia — including flowers, animals, and stones. With bold colours, minimalist forms, and innovative use of materials, Bak Chiang imbues motifs such as lotuses and rocks with emotional depth and symbolic resonance. Graduated from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore, Bak Chiang furthered his studies at the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, China. He is a two-time recipient of the United Overseas Bank Painting of the Year Competition, and was awarded the Young Artist Award by the National Arts Council Singapore in 2002. Bak Chiang has held over seventeen solo exhibitions and participated in numerous international art fairs, including Art Basel Hong Kong, Art Stage Singapore, and fairs in Miami, New York, London, and Paris. His works are part of private and public collections, including the National Gallery Singapore, the Istana (Presidential Palace), and various international institutions.
