INK RIVERS: THE LIVING HERITAGE OF TAY POI SAN

TAY POI SAN – A MASTER OF NANYANG-STYLE INK PAINTING

Tay Poi San, born in 1953 in Yasahan, Johor, Malaysia, stands as a significant figure in the contemporary Nanyang art movement. A master calligrapher, Nanyang-style ink painter, and skilled cabinetmaker, he is recognized for his ability to bridge the profound traditions of Chinese ink painting with the vibrant, multicultural influences of Southeast Asia. His artistic approach reflects a deep respect for his cultural heritage while pushing the boundaries of his medium to capture the unique light, atmosphere, and textures of his native region.

Artistic Training and Early Influences

Tay’s formal training began under the guidance of Huang Tianxing in calligraphy, followed by mentorship with the American artist Cheng Long (Chen Zhenlong) and further studies under the renowned Gao Bingyi in the 1980s. These formative experiences provided him with a solid foundation in classical Chinese techniques, which he later expanded upon to create a more personalized and contemporary visual language.

The Nanyang Style – Tradition and Innovation

The Nanyang style, a distinctive artistic movement that emerged in Southeast Asia during the mid-20th century, is characterized by a fusion of traditional Chinese ink techniques with local themes and Western realism. Artists like Cheong Soo Pieng, Chen Wen Hsi, and Liu Kang paved the way for this hybrid style, integrating free brushwork, fluid lines, and expressive calligraphy with imagery inspired by the tropical landscapes, bustling markets, and multicultural life of the region. Tay Poi San represents the third generation of artists to embrace this tradition, contributing to its ongoing evolution with a distinctly personal approach.

A Singular Voice in Nanyang Art

Tay Poi San’s work is marked by a masterful blend of precision and spontaneity, capturing the dynamic interplay between light and shadow, permanence and transience. His pieces often feature motifs from the natural world – lush vegetation, serene landscapes, and ethereal atmospheres – rendered with a nuanced understanding of texture and tone. This approach allows him to evoke the heat and humidity of Southeast Asia while maintaining the philosophical depth and technical rigor of classical Chinese ink painting.

Major Milestones and Exhibitions

Tay’s career spans several decades, with his first major solo exhibition held in 1995 at the Newhill Art Gallery in Malaysia. This early success laid the foundation for an international career, including participation in the 2021 Hong Kong Ink Global Art Festival, exhibitions in Shenzhen in 2022, and the London Art Biennale in 2023. His current solo exhibition, 'Rivières de l’Encre,' presented at Vanities Gallery in Paris from May 20 to June 2, 2025, highlights his ongoing exploration of the fluidity and impermanence of life through a series of new works that reflect his mastery of both tradition and innovation.

Artistic Legacy and Influence

As a respected figure in the Nanyang movement, Tay Poi San continues to influence a new generation of artists while remaining deeply connected to his cultural roots. His work embodies the essence of Southeast Asian modernity, capturing the complex interplay between tradition and change, memory and innovation. With each brushstroke, Tay offers a meditation on the passage of time, the fragility of life, and the enduring power of artistic expression.

Vanities Gallery is honored to present this retrospective, offering a rare opportunity to engage with the work of an artist whose vision continues to inspire and challenge the boundaries of contemporary ink painting.

SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2025
 15ème Solo exhibiton « Rivière d’encre », Chez vanities gallery, Paris, France,
2022
 14ème solo exhibition chez Suteera Mall, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaisie
2019
 13ème solo exhibition chez Iskandar, sunway Hall Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaisie
2015
 12ème exposition Solo chez Dessin Professional Academy, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaisie
2014
 11ème exposition solo Chez Art 52 Gallery, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaisie
2009
 10ème exposition solo chez Mercedes Garcia, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaisie
2007
 9ème exposition solo chez Neo Art Institute Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaisie,
2006
 8ème exposition Soloe chez Puteri Pacific Hotel, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaisie,
2005
 7ème exposition Solo chez Hokkien Huay Kuan, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaisie,
2003
 6ème exposition Solo chez Anne Watson, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaisie
2001
 5ème exposition solo chez Elrian Velsem, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaisie
2000
 4ème exposition solo chez Susan Seifert, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaisie
1999
 3ème exposition solo chez Landmark Mall, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaisie,
1998
 2ème exposition solo chez Anne Watson, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaisie
1995
 1ère exposition solo chez Ideal Arts and Craft Centre, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaisie,