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Tay Bak Chiang
LP - New Heights, 2014
Ink on Paper, 170 x 100 cm
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About the artwork
Tay Bak Chiang: “I began the Stone Series some years ago after a walk through Bukit Timah Nature Reserve in Singapore. There, I saw granite rocks strewn amid the greenery—figures seemingly unperturbed by birdcalls, cicada buzz, and the stifling humidity. The first paintings in this series featured flat, pitch-dark rock silhouettes rendered with black pigment and Chinese ink. Over time, the rocks evolved into sculptural, three-dimensional forms. The colours I now use are quite unlike the traditional tones found in Chinese ink paintings. To achieve bolder, more striking, and compelling hues, I combine vibrant pigments with traditional Chinese ink and colours. Stroke by stroke, layer upon layer, I apply the colours to build intensity and convey the weathered surface of ancient stone.”
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.
