Tay Bak Chiang reinterprets the painting convention of monumentality in his stone series that intersects the idea of the stone with history, Taoist philosophy, and nature. The motif of the stone as the exemplar of monumentality in Chinese ink painting traditions is deconstructed and laid bare as ruins for us to explore.

"Nature has always given me much to think about. Stones are to me not lifeless forms but sentient beings. They feel and perceive the world around them. They have temperaments and are full of character. They tell stories. I portray through them life’s experiences."

Tay graduated with a Diploma in Fine Arts from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in 1995. In 2002 he was awarded the Young Artist Award for Visual Arts by the National Arts Council and in 2003 received first prize for the Traditional Chinese Medium Category of the 22nd UOB Painting of the Year Competition. Recent acquisitions include The National Art Gallery, Singapore and the Istana Collection, Singapore.

-Chan Hampe Galleries

Image: © Tay Bak Chiang
Courtesy of the artist and Chan Hampe Galleries