Venue: iPreciation
50 Cuscaden Road, HPL House #01-01, Singapore 249724
Private Preview: Thursday, October 18, 2018 (By Invitation Only)
Exhibition Opens to Public: October 19, 2018 – November 3, 2018
Exhibition Overview
iPreciation presents a solo exhibition titled “The Fisherman and the Woodcutter 「漁樵問答」.” The exhibition features works by Singaporean contemporary artist Tay Bak Chiang.
In this exhibition, Tay explores the guqin, a traditional seven-stringed Chinese zither. The instrument becomes the central subject of his latest canvas paintings. Through this motif, the artist reflects on harmony, contemplation, and the quiet rhythms of nature.
The exhibition draws inspiration from the classic guqin melody “Conversation Between a Fisherman and a Woodcutter.” The piece celebrates a carefree life lived close to nature. Similarly, Tay finds comfort in the melody’s subtle and tranquil tones. For him, the music becomes a metaphor for an ideal way of life.
Artistic Approach
In these works, Tay adopts a minimalist and contemporary visual language. At the same time, he retains the philosophical depth associated with traditional Chinese culture.
Through simplified compositions, he examines the structure and symbolism of the guqin. As a result, the instrument appears both familiar and newly interpreted. Tay carefully constructs layers of meaning within each painting.
Moreover, the guqin becomes more than a musical instrument. Instead, it reflects the artist’s personal outlook on life. The quiet presence of the instrument mirrors his search for balance and inner clarity.
About the Artist
Tay Bak Chiang (b. 1973, Malaysia) lives and works in Singapore. He graduated from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in 1995. Later, he continued his studies at the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou.
Nature has always been a key source of inspiration for Tay. To him, nature represents balance, harmony, and perfection. Therefore, many of his works explore natural forms and philosophical themes.
In recent years, he has experimented with deconstructing and reconfiguring traditional subjects. One example is the guqin, which he portrays through minimalist compositions and contemporary aesthetics.
At the same time, Tay continues to push the boundaries of Chinese ink painting. Instead of working solely on rice paper, he increasingly uses canvas as his primary medium. Consequently, he expands the expressive possibilities of ink while adapting it to contemporary practice.
Exhibition Context
This exhibition marks Tay’s third solo exhibition with iPreciation. It follows the success of “From a Distance,” presented at Art Basel Hong Kong in 2016, and “Cleavages Fractures Folds” in 2014.
Furthermore, the exhibition signals a new direction in his artistic journey. Previously, Tay focused extensively on his well-known rock series. However, this exhibition introduces a fresh exploration of the guqin as a subject.
Through these works, the artist continues to develop new perspectives and visual interpretations of this traditional instrument.
