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About the artwork
I began the stone series some years ago after a walk through the Bukit Timah Nature reserve in Singapore. There,I saw granite rocks strewn amid the greenery figures unperturbed by birdcalls,cicada buzz and stiffing humidity. The first paintings in my stone series are flat, pitch dark rock silhouttes made with black pigment and Chinese ink. The rocks have now become sculptural and three dimensional.The colopurs are quite unlike the tradition al ones you may find in Chinese ink paintings.To get border,more striking ,more compelling colour,I combine vibrant pigments with traditional Chinese ink and colours .Stroke by stroke,layers upon layer. I apply the colour to get the desired intensity the effect of age on the stone surface.
About the artist
Born in Malaysia and based in Singapore, Tay Bak Chiang is a contemporary artist known for his bold reinterpretation of traditional Chinese ink painting. A graduate of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and later trained in Chinese ink painting at the prestigious China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, Tay blends classical technique with a modern, contemplative aesthetic.
His works often reflect a deep sensitivity to nature—stones, landscapes, and flora are recurring motifs, not as passive subjects but as silent witnesses of time and spirit. Moving beyond conventional ink traditions, Tay is celebrated for his innovative use of mineral pigments and layered textures, which give his paintings a sculptural, almost meditative quality.
Tay has held numerous solo exhibitions in Singapore and abroad, and his works are housed in both private and public collections. His approach bridges the old and the new, offering a poetic exploration of stillness, resilience, and the enduring presence of nature.