Zhuang Shengtao

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Zhuang Shengtao (b. 1944) was born in Chao’an, China. He moved to Singapore in 1955 where he enrolled in Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts later in 1964 and studied Chinese painting and calligraphy under the tutelage of renowned Singaporean calligrapher, See Hiang To. Being exposed to many years of education in the Chinese classics gave him a steadfast grounding in Chinese literature, brushwork and the philosophy of Taoism. He excelled in his academic studies and majored in Chinese Literature at the Nanyang University in Singapore, where he obtained both a Bachelor’s degree in 1974 and a Master’s degree in 1977. In 1981, Zhuang traveled to France to study French at the University of Nice (Nice, France) and the Alliance Francoise (Paris, France). Zhuang also studied printmaking at the Cornish College of the Arts (Seattle, Washington, USA) in 1988 and achieved a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Washington (Seattle, USA) in 1990.

**Breaking Through (The Hours) 破曉**, 2023, 178x96cm, Ink and Colour on Paper 墨、設色紙本
*Price: $22,000.00

**Unbridled 1 縱筆 1**, 2010, 96x178cm, 127x210cm (Stretcher), Ink on Paper
*Price: $22,000.00

**Unbridled 3 縱筆 3**, 2010, 96x178cm, 127x210cm (Stretcher), Ink on Paper
*Price: $22,000.00

*Prices are subject to change without prior notice.

Biography

Zhuang Shengtao (b. 1944, Guangdong, China) is a prominent Singaporean ink artist and academic, celebrated for his lyrical and abstract approach to the medium. He moved to Singapore in 1955 and later relocated to Suzhou, China, in 1997. His extensive education includes a Foundation Class at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (1964), a First-Class Honours B.A. and an M.A. from Nanyang University, Singapore (1974, 1977), and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Washington, Seattle, USA (1990).

His pioneering career is marked by major solo exhibitions spanning decades, from early shows at the Hilton Hotel (1979) and the National Museum Art Gallery (1985) in Singapore to recent presentations with iPreciation in Singapore, such as Beyond Ink – Suzhou (2021) and Poetry of Colours (2020). He has been a key participant in defining group exhibitions in Singapore, including Journey of Ink (1993) at the National Museum and Power and Poetry – Monuments and Meditations in Chinese Contemporary Ink Painting (1998) at the Singapore Art Museum, as well as international showcases like ASEAN traveling exhibitions and the Shanghai Ink Biennial (2007).

Zhuang Shengtao’s work is held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery Singapore, cementing his legacy as a foundational figure in the development of modern and contemporary ink art in Singapore. His practice is distinguished by its synthesis of Eastern philosophical depth with the chromatic and formal explorations of Western modernism.

Education

1990 | Master of Fine Arts, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
1977 | Master of Arts, Nanyang University, Singapore
1974 | Bachelor of Arts (Hons), First Class, Nanyang University, Singapore
1964 | Foundation Class, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore

Selected Solo Exhibitions

2021 | Beyond Ink – Suzhou, iPreciation, Singapore / Zhuang Shengtao Exhibition, Hanyang Art Centre, Hangzhou, China
2020 | Poetry of Colours, iPreciation, Singapore
2017 | The Ink Art of Zhuang Shengtao, iPreciation, Singapore
2016 | Variations In Ink, Artspace @ Helutrans, Singapore
1994 | Autumn Poems, Shenn’s Fine Art, Singapore
1986 | Shengtao’s Way, Alpha Gallery, Singapore
1985 | Zhuang Shengtao: New Work, National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore
1982 | Work in Paris, Gallery of James Tan, Singapore
1980 | 2nd Solo Exhibition, Alliance Francaise, Singapore
1979 | 1st Solo Exhibition, Hilton Hotel, Singapore

Selected Group Exhibitions

2024 | Art SG, iPreciation, Singapore
2022 | Whisper of Stars, iPreciation, Singapore
2018 | Ink Expressions II: Traditions and Contestations, Artspace @ Helutrans, Singapore
2011 | Ink Expressions, Gallery 3 Artspace @ Helutrans, Singapore
2009 | shuimo yuehui, True Colour Museum, Suzhou, China / A Florid Movement of Harmony, in Celebration of the 15th Anniversary of China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou, China
2007 | Exploration: New Ink Art Shanghai, the 3rd Shanghai Ink Biennial, Zhu Qizhan Art Museum, Shanghai, China
2006 | Modern Ink of Singapore, 5th International Ink Painting Biennial of Shenzhen, Guan Shanyue Art Museum, Shenzhen, China
1999 | Exposition of Arts, Shanghai, China
1998 | Power and Poetry – Monuments and Meditations in Chinese Contemporary Ink Painting, Singapore Art Museum, Singapore
1995 | Perception, Drawings by 6 Singaporean Artists, Cicada Gallery, Singapore
1993 | Journey of Ink, Singapore National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore / 2nd ASEAN Workshop, Symposium, and Exhibition, Cultural Centre of the Philippines, Manila, Philippines
1990 | Master of Fine Art Exhibition, Henry Gallery, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
1987 | New Direction, Singapore Contemporary Art in the 80’s / The National Museum Centennial Art Exhibition, Singapore National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore
1984 | 4th ASEAN Traveling Art Exhibitions, ASEAN Countries
1983 | 3 Singaporean Artists in Australia, Raya Gallery, Melbourne, Australia
1982 | 3rd ASEAN Traveling Art Exhibitions, ASEAN Countries