Cats and nature have consistently featured in the work of Singaporean artist Ling Yang Chang broad range of themes. Now the artist has made the feline a central subject in his paintings for his fifth solo exhibition, parading them in intriguing forms of expression and behaviour that would only come from the artist acute observation of the animal. The artist himself had many interesting encounters with cats in the neighbourhood where he lives and is intriqued by their presence.

Know for his Chinese paintings, Ling's work is characterised by a delicate balance of Chinese and Western influence, for example he still uses rice paper as a support for many of his works and mixes Chinese ink freely with acrylic paint. His paintings are laced with poetic resonance and philosophical depth.

About the Artist

A graduate in Chinese studies, Ling Yang Chang has a natural affinity for Chinese brush painting, with its close attention to the beauty of lines, poetical resonance and philosophical depth. In his nature paintings he shows us the beauty of flowing lines executed with intuitive spontaneity made possible by years of discipline and practice and a solid ink and brush controlled technique. Scenes of enchanting streams and trees; composed in carefree exuberance speaks powerfully to both modernity and tradition; projecting the artist’s unique personal expression. In his animal series, he infuses Eastern philosophy in his art, giving his works an unique dimension and meaning.
 
Ling’s art encompasses themes of nature and life with an Asian perspective. Trained in Chinese Studies and Economics, he begins his art career in traditional Chinese painting before venturing into areas of western art medium. In the medium of ink painting, Ling is a complete artist in the Chinese scholarly tradition; not only does he carve his own seals; he inscribes his own verses with his calligraphy.

The artist believed that art making is a journey and that he must continually search for new meaning and expression in the ink medium. He mixes freely ink pigment with acrylics, merging tradition and modern. His techniques include the use of tea to lend a warm and textural effect to his works.

Retaining the finest elements of the ink art tradition remains at the core of Ling's art, yet challenging the status quo that has remain with much of Chinese ink art is what Ling finds most fulfilling.