19 Tanglin Road #02-33 Tanglin Shopping Centre Singapore 247909Tel: (65) 6738 0810

featuring

Tan Teng Teng

12 – 31 D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 9

www.mulangallery.com.sg

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Teng Teng’s early work ‘The Survivor Syndrome Series’ which has been previously selected and showcased at the Singapore Art Show in 2007, illustrates a synthetic vocabulary evolved by the artist-the traditional techniques of Chinese Brush painting combined with an improvised printing method. The actual or rather the preliminary painting was initially executed by the artist on a foam board. The technique of painting was similar to that seen in traditional brush painting. But while the ink was wet, the painting was printed onto a piece of rice paper by a rubbing method, this is conventionally known as 拓片(tuo pian). The latter process produces effects that remind of carvings. The artist has paid particular attention to technical aspects of the work. Everything, including how water and ink are mixed or separated, space interplays as well as the execution of each brush stroke that is shown or hidden, involves a specific choice and enhances the gestural and affective quality of these artworks. The subject of this series is sea turtles that the artist found formally interesting, in particular the textures on their bodies presented interesting possibilities for painting. Incidentally, the artist stumbled on photographs of sea turtles that have recently been documented with facial tumours that not only deformed but were also blinding these turtles. These clumps of tumours mostly found around the eyes and the face are possibly the result of polluted sea water. The discovery of these strange and disturbing conditions of sea turtles has compelled Teng Teng to create this series

a r t - m a k i n g

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of artworks in the hope of raising awareness about the plight of turtles. The artist aspires to convey the message about the environment to increase both responsibility and consideration towards other beings with whom we share the planet. These concerns have been extended in the newer series where the artist imagines the physical surroundings of the turtles, the Eco-series. Various kinds of coral reefs are painted and portrayed in a semi-abstract manner. The artworks are technically more nuanced and present more minimal compositions. These largely imaginative compositions are part of Teng Teng’s ongoing creative and artistic explorations. The artist has received her training from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts from 2003 to 2007 in Chinese brush and ink painting. She has trained under illustrious artists like Wee Beng Chong, Tan Kian Por and Chua Ek Kay during this period. Teng Teng has been awarded the NAFA Fine Art Award as well as accorded a commendable mention under traditional Chinese category of the prestigious UOB Painting Of The Year Competition, in 2007. This is the first major solo exhibition of this young, aspiring artist.

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The Escape from Home – Print No. 5 (2007)Chinese Ink on Rice Paper72 cm x 140 cm

The Escape from Home – Print No. 4, 1, 2 (2007)Chinese Ink on Rice Paper

140 cm x 72 cm (x3)

T h e S u r v i v o r ’ s S y n d r o m e S e r i e s T h e S u r v i v o r ’ s S y n d r o m e S e r i e s

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Turtle – Print No. 1 (2007)Chinese Ink on Rice Paper

140 cm x 72 cm

E c o S e r i e s – T u r t l e s E c o S e r i e s – T u r t l e s

Turtle – Print No. 8 (2007)Chinese Ink on Rice Paper140 cm x 72 cm

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E c o S e r i e s – T u r t l e s E c o S e r i e s – C o r a l s

Turtle – Print No. 18 (2007)Chinese Ink on Rice Paper182 cm x 140 cm

Their Submerged Cries – No. 2 (2008)Chinese Ink on Rice Paper

146 cm x 140 cm

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E c o S e r i e s – C o r a l s E c o S e r i e s – C o r a l s

Their Submerged Cries – No. 1 (2008)Chinese Ink on Rice Paper40 cm x 140 cm (x3)

Their Submerged Cries – No. 3 (2009)Chinese Ink on Rice Paper

40 cm x 140 cm (x3)

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Their Submerged Cries – No. 4 (2008)Chinese Ink on Rice Paper72 cm x 140 cm

E c o S e r i e s – C o r a l s