The
youthful, innovative spirit of the founders of the
Lingnan School has inspired James Tan to extend his own work well beyond
tradition. He blends mastery of Chinese brush painting with an ability to
capture the essence of Western culture, thereby creating a style of Chinese
brush painting which is distinctly his own.
James Tan
graduated from the Singapore Academy of Art in 1972 and continued his studies
with Chinese brush painting masters in Singapore, Taiwan and San Francisco
until 1980 establishing himself as a master of the traditional and Lingnan
schools of Chinese brush painting with his own distinctive style. He has taught
and lectured extensively world-wide, including The National Museum Art Gallery
(Singapore), The Victoria and Albert Museum in London. and annual lecture
& demonstration at the arts in Action? festival in London, U.K. Mr. Tan has
won an extensive list of awards and honors and has exhibited extensively.
38 one-man shows in Singapore, Japan, Thailand, Dubai, Bahrain, Australia,
England, Germany, the U.S.A., and Canada.
James'
recent works retain the same exquisite quality that has made his name synonymous
with creativity and true excellence around the world. His works are represented
in international private and corporate collections world-wide. Several books
have been published featuring his and his students works.
He is the 1st Vice chair and Board
Secretary of
Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver, President of the Chinese Canadian Artists
Federation in Vancouver (2007-2009) and (2009-2011). Director of Chinese
Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver (2007-2013), Museum curator of Chinese Cultural
Centre Museum and Member of The City of Vancouver Chinatown Historic Area
Planning Committee 2010-2011, 2009 he have been nominate and Selected in
the Finalists of 2009 AsiaNetwork Asian of the Year Awards.2009
AsiaNetwork Asian of the Year Awards.
ARTIST'S STATEMENT >>
HONORS AND AWARDS
James was awarded First Prize in the Singapore National Art Competition (1974);
the "Morning Mist" Special Award, Ministry of Culture, Singapore (1981); the
Consolation Prize in the United Overseas Bank (UOB) Art Competition, Singapore
(1984). He was invited to the Second Young Artists Exhibition sponsored
by the Ministry of Culture and the National Museum, Singapore (1984); represented
Singapore in Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs "Singapore
Artists Art Exhibition" in Yokohama, Kobe and Sapporo, Japan (1988)
; selected to exhibit at the Singapore Festival of Art (1988); and sponsored
by Shell Corporation to give a seminar and demonstration at their special
Culture Program, Singapore (1989).
Canada Post marks the Lunar
New Year with a new collectable stamp. For the Year of the Dragon, the
agency issued a pair of stamps designed by OCAD U alumnus and Faculty of
Design Instructor Louis Fishauf and calligrapher James Tan.
LECTURES AND DEMONSTRATIONS
James gives lectures and demonstrations on the history and art of Chinese
brush painting to small and large groups in such settings as the National
Museum Art Gallery (Singapore), and The
Victoria and Albert Museum in London. He also gives demonstrations annually
at the "Art in Action" festival organized by the Art Department of The School
of Economic Science, London.
TEACHING
1974 / 2001 Have been teaching both ancient and Ling-Nan School of Chinese
brush paintings techniques for 27 years in San Francisco, Singapore, Kuala
Lumpur and London. 2004-2006 lectures in Vancouver Academy of Art, Vancouver
Canada.
My courses have been
comprehensive, including history and specific painting techniques. Students
come from many countries, including the United States, Singapore, England,
Germany, Australia, Taiwan and China
My Bichon Frise Mei Mei and JJ and Gaby
ONE MAN EXHIBITIONS
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2003
Asian Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
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2003
Vancouver Public Library, BC Canada
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1995
Chinese Museum, Melbourne, Australia.
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1994
Warwick Gallery, Beaconsfield, England.
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1993
Warwick Gallery, Beaconsfield, England.
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1993
Old Luxter's Gallery, Henley-on-Thames, England.
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1992
National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore.
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1990
The Empress Place Museum. Singapore.
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1988
Della Butcher Gallery, Singapore.
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1988
National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore.
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1988
Represented Singapore in Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs "Singapore
Artists Art Exhibition" in Yokohama, Kobe and Sapporo, Japan (1988)
More ...... >>
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1985
Gallery of Fine Art, Singapore
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1985
Second Young Artist's Exhibition 〞Singapore
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1982
Military Art Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
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1982
Victoria Memorial Hall, Singapore.
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1981
National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore.
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1981
Gallery of Fine Art, Singapore.
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1981
Art House Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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1981
Penang Museum, Penang, Malaysia.
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1981
Victoria Memorial Hall, Singapore.
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1980
The President Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand.
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1980
Exhibition Hall, Ipoh, Malaysia.
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1980
Art House Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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1980
National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore.
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1980
Gallery of Fine Art, Singapore.
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1979
Asia Foundation, San Francisco, California, USA.
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1979
Chinese Culture Centre,
San Francisco, California, USA
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...... >>
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1979
Renaissance Gallery, Ukiah, California, USA.
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1979
Michelle B. Babcock, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
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1979
Jolo Pottery & Gallery, Sanoma, California,
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1977
East Art Gallery, San Francisco, California, USA.
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1977
Chinese Chamber of Commerce Exhibition Hall, Singapore.
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1977
ETC Gallery, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
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1976
Renaissance Gallery, Ukiah, California, USA.
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1975
East Wind Art gallery, San Francisco, California, USA.
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1974
Penang, Malaysia.
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1974
Ipoh, Malaysia.
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1974
The Malaysia Art Institute, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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1974
First Solo in Singapore organized by The Society of Chinese Artist.
More ...... >>
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
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1970-2000 Singapore,
San Francisco, Sacramento California USA, Dubai, Bahrain, Yokohama, Kobe
and Sapporo Japan, Sydney Australia, Germany, Vancouver, Victoria & Calgary.
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2000 Stephen Lowe
art gallery - Victoria and Calgary
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2001 Stephen Lowe
art gallery - Victoria and Calgary
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2002 Stephen Lowe
art gallery - Victoria and Calgary
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2005 Yiyou Yaji Painting,
Calligraphy and Seal Carving Exhibition (Works by Lau Wai-yin, Nathan Szeto,
James Tan, Ma Chi-ping, Hung Yu-ying, Ko Ku-chung and Fung Kin) On-Tak Cheung
Exhibition Hall.
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2006 - 2009
Chinese Canadian Artists Federation
in Vancouver Annual Exhibition.
COLLECTION
His works are found
in public and private collections around the world. Owners include: the
Emir of Bahrain; the Arab Emirates; the Foreign Office (Dubai); the Gulf
International, UIC, UOB and DBS Banks (Singapore); BP Petroleum; the Crown
Prince, Marina Mandarin, Oriental and Glass Hotels (Singapore); the Singapore
Trade Commission (Taiwan); the Ministries of Health, Foreign Affairs and
Defenses (Singapore); Vogel Park (Hamburg, Germany); Japan Fleet Services
(Singapore); Hotel Istana (Kuala Lumpur), the Penang Museum (Malaysia).
BOOK
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