Tang Yeok Khang

Tang Yeok Khang was Born in 1975: the first of three children in a somewhat typical, middle-class Chinese family in Penang. Tang was blessed from conception with a rare gift: he was born with both sides of his brain fully equipped (while most of us are decidedly functioning from only one hemisphere). And from the earliest days of his cognizant childhood, Tang’s left and right brains have been endeavoring to find a way to work together in harmony. But for most of his formative years, Tang’s family and culture encouraged him to focus on order and reality and things that were defineable.

A Tiring Day,

Oil On Canvas,

75 cm x 58 cm,

1990

So the story of Tang’s artistic development has been this struggle and how it has played out over his career and how it has been reflected in his artistic technique and artistic expression; how his right brain (harboring its somewhat random expression and artistic yearning) has found its way to liberation after a long period of left brain domination.

Above The Horizon,

acrylic on canvas,

105 cm x 90 cm,

2009

Tang’s father was a significant influence on his art. And though the father was himself an artist of some merit, it was not his artistic influence that effected Tang as much as his support and encouragement. Through many years of Tang’s childhood, it was Tang’s father who could be seen transporting Tang to and from his various Art Tutorials on the back of his old motorbike. Tang was enabled to pursue his art as a result of grandparents and parents who realized the compelling nature of Tang’s gift and its need to find expression.

Advertisement Space Available,

watercolour on paper,

74 cm x 104 cm,

 2008

In his youth, Tang went from one Art Teacher to another as he exhausted their techniques, picked their brains and conquered their methods and styles. Tang became a master of many modes of painting: starting with the copying of pictures into water color applications to depicting still life objects in water color; to Chinese Ink Painting to observing statues and drawing them with charcoal and pencil (this was the phase where he learned most about light, shade, proportion and found that his powers of observation were greatly enhanced)….so many styles, mediums and experiences. In fact at one point in his early teenage years, he found himself (on his father’s motorcycle) travelling to three Art Tuition classes every week.

Night Before Independence Day,

Water Colour On Paper,

 58cm x 75cm,

1994

It was not for lack of art training that Tang suffered his own personal angst. It was the struggle of his left (orderly) brain and his right (creative) brain………he became the Master of Technique as his left brain seemed to dominate all his youth. He always mastered the “style”….entered many competitions…..and always WON the prize. The goal was consitently winning the prize in any competition he entered as if this was a game and winning the Game was what really mattered. He won them all. Over the years of childhood and teenage and into early adulthood, one technique after another was absorbed and conquered and celebrated with Victory in the Prize…..but through it all, Tang continually felt lacking, empty and limited in his passionate expression by the very styles and techniques he had mastered.



Tang loved the science of it all…..that was his left brain. But Tang’s soul was NOT satisfied. The angst was there still….HOW TO BLEND HIS HIGHLY TUNED SKILL SET WITH THE SOULFUL PASSION OF HIS LESS-ORGANIZED RIGHT BRAIN.



He entered the Malaysia Art Institute at the age of 21 and decided to pursue Interior Design Studies. Again, he Mastered that and when he graduated with his Diploma, he was honored as “Best Student of Interior Design” 1998. We can see that his need to excel and dominate and win the prize was still with him.

The Boiling Refinery 1,

watercolour on paper,

90 cm x90 cm,

2008

But soon out of the Institute he found Interior Design too complex to enjoy and that his more simple right brain needed to express itself in a less complex environment………Tang’s right brain was waking up now and pushing him to recognize its needs. The pent up frustrations of all his yearnings and angst was insisting on expression. And this rebellion of his creative side was more and more demanding to be recognized.



But it would take him to the age of 30 to finally launch a serious pursuit of his art again. In the years between he had developed into a recognized and awarded Landscape Designer. What Tang does, Tang does the BEST!!! That was the fine tuning of his left brain. But this time while he was Winning the Game, Attaining the Prize, Exceeding his Contemporaries……that right brain was pushing harder and harder to be heard.

Then at age 30 Tang began the most exciting phase of his life. He surrendered to the Creative, Uncontrolled, Passionate, Soulful yearnings of his right brain……


From that time to now Tang has experimented in HIS own identification through art……….on his canvasses, one can see the different approaches, styles and unique transformations his Artwork has undergone.

The Land Guardian,

acrylic on canvas,

119 cm x 119 cm,

2009

In 2010 Tang Yeok Khang took a brave step (despite having now a family of his own and the responsibilities which that creates) Tang could no longer deal with the struggle of right and left; of order and disorder; of dispassion and passion……….finally his right brain said MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY….and Tang listened. He opted out of his careful, successful, organized, award-winning life: that of a successful, professional Landscape Designer………..

He is now fully and totally listening to his right brain, his heart, his soul: and is investing his talent into an amalgamation of his many mastered techniques NOW BECOMING ONLY TOOLS FOR THE EXPRESSION OF his heart and the undefined passions of the his imagination and soul.



BIODATA

NAME : Tang Yeok Khang

DATE OF BIRTH : 17th May 1975 in Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang

EDUCATION : Diploma in Interior Design
Malaysian Institute of Art (MIA)

PROFFESSION : Visual Artist / Designer

MEMBERSHIP : Member of Penang Water Colour Society

ADDRESS : No. F-1-5, Prima Court, Jalan Ukay Prima,

Saujana Melawati, 53100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

CONTACT : Tel/ Fax : 603-4105 9660 Mobile : 6012- 292 7410

Email : yeo2kang@yahoo.com

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

2010 : ‘E11even’ 11 Artists Exhibition, A2 Art Gallery, Penang, Malaysia
2009 : ‘Hanoi, Welcome’ Asian International Art Exhibition, Vietnam Fine Art
Museum, Hanoi, Vietnam

‘Top Of The World: Asian Art Link Exhibition’ ,Taipei 101 Observatory Tower,
Taipei, Taiwan

‘Resonance’ Art International Workshop Exhibition, Mutiara Gallery,
Penang, Malaysia.

‘Stretch Your Imagination’ by Malaysia & Singapore Contemporary
Artists Selection, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
‘Dramatic Movement’ Art Exhibition, Mutiara Gallery, Penang, Malaysia.

The Expat ‘Eco Expo’ 09’ Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.


2008 : ‘Urban Interpretation’ Art Exhibition, Pelita Hati’s House of Art, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

: ‘2nd Putrajaya National Water Colour Competition & Exhibition 2007- 08’ The Annexe Galley, Malaysia.
: ‘Resonance’ International Art Workshop Exhibition, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

: ‘Blossom’ Art Exhibition, A2 Art Galley, Penang, Malaysia.

: ‘Global Warning‘ Art Exhibition,A2 Art Galley, Penang, Malaysia.

: ‘Penang Water Colour Society’s 25th Anniversary Art Exhibition’, Penang State Art Galley.

: ‘Penang Art Society’s 55th Anniversary Art Exhibition’, Penang State Art Galley.
2007 : ‘Artist’s Favourite’, State Art Galley, Penang, Malaysia.
: ‘Malaysian Contemporary Young Artist Group Show’, Metro Fine Art Gallery KL.
: ‘Living Heritage For Our Future’ Art Exhibition, Mutiara Gallery.
: ‘Five x 500’ Penang Water Colour Society’s 24th Annual Exhibition, Penang State Art Gallery.
: ‘Same Difference’ 7 Man Art Exhibition, Areca Music Academy.
2006 : ‘Enchanting Colourful Malaysia Water Colour 2006

Exhibition’, Malaysia National Art Gallery
: ‘Same Difference’ 7 Man Art Exhibition, Mutiara Gallery
: International Chao Zhou Youth Invitation Art Exhibition, China
: ‘Reminiscence of the Cherished Homeland’, An Invited Art Exhibition

Soka Gakkai Centre, Malaysia
: Cotemporary China Malaysia Teochew Artist’s Art Exhibition,
UE3, Malaysia & China Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

2001 : Art Talk Gallery Charity Art Exhibition

1998 : ‘New Views of Old Penang’ Exhibition
‘Space Identity’ MIA Interior Design Show

1997 : ‘The Inside Reveal’ MIA Interior Design Show

1996 : The Architecture of Selangor Mosque

1994 : Public Finance Art Award ‘Malaysia Scenery’

1993 : Penang Spastic Centre Charity Exhibition

1992 – 97 : Penang Pesta Young Talent Exhibition

SELECTED AWARDS

2007 : 2nd Putrajaya National Water Colour Painting Competition –
Consolation Prize

2006 : The Malaysia International Landscape & Garden Festival 2006 –
Laman Merit Award

1998 : Castelli Design Award (Thailand, Malaysia & Singapore) - Honourable
Award

1994 : Public Finance Art Award ‘Malaysia Scenery’ – Honourable Award
Staedler Malaysia Wildlife Art Award – Major Award

1993 : Malaysian Institute of Art Scholarship winner

1992 : Penang Pesta 10 Young Talents Award

1991 : Penang Art Camp 10 Young Artists Award

WORK COLLECTED


By local & foreign collectors, eg :
Akitiara Corp. Sdn. Bhd.

Dr. Nortier’s Roolbos Museum Sdn. Bhd.

Girimas Sdn. Bhd.

Malayan Banking Berhad, Penang

Ministry of Health, Malaysia

National Art Gallery, Malaysia.

Properin Card & Gift Sdn. Bhd.

Technology MAE Sdn. Bhd.

T.Y.Lin South East Asia Pte. Ltd


SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPH


2009 : ‘The Expat Magazine’ Art Work Published on Front Cover &
‘Shimmering Flowers’ An Interview ( Pg 26 to Pg 27)


: ‘Top of The World : Asia Art Link Exhibition’ Catalogue (Pg 26)

: ‘Hanoi Welcome’ Exhibition Catalogue (Pg 25)

: ‘Art Malaysia’ Magazine, Issue 05, Art Work Printed on Front Cover &

‘ The Urban Condition’ An Interview (Pg 26 to Pg 33)

: ‘Dramatic Movement’ by 9 Artists With Passion (Pg 32 to Pg 35)

: ‘Stretch Your Imagination’ by Malaysia & Singapore Contemporary

Artists Selection.


2008 : ‘Creation’ catalogue in conjunction with Penang Art Society 55’th
Anniversary

: ’25 PWCS’ Penang Water Colour Society’s 25th Anniversary Exhibition Catalogue

: An Interview with Tang Yeok Khang by Dou La in China Press (Pg D13) dated 5 July 2008

: An Interview with Tang Yeok Khang by Dou La in Nanyang Daily Newspaper (Pg D14) dated 25 March 2008

2007 : ‘Merdeka 50’ Art Exhibition Catalogue by Mutiara Galley

: ‘Artist’s Favourite’ Directory of Penang Artists by Penang State
Museum & Art Galley (Pg 280 & 281)

: ‘Five x 500’ Penang Water Colour Society’s 24th Annual Exhibition
Catalogue
: ‘Living Heritage for our Future’ Art Exhibition Catalogue by Penang
Heritage Trust


: ‘Searching the Nature of Art – An Interview with Tang Yeok Khang’
In Pumen Magazine (Pg 82-84) Chinese Edition (PP112.82/3/2007)

2006 : Work published in ‘Life Session’ TV programme in NTV 7, July 2007

: Work published in ‘The Whole Nine Yards’, Home & Furnishing
magazine (Pg 40-51) June 2006 Issue


: Work published in ‘Allure of Aquatic Aesthetics’, Home & Furnishing
magazine (Pg 40-51) April 2006 Issue


: ‘Same Difference’ Art Exhibition Catalogue by Mutiara Galley


: ‘Reminiscence of the Cherished Homeland’ (Pg 72 & 73), by
Malaysian Teochew Association


: ‘International Chaozhou Youth Art Galley’ (Pg 7) by the 4th
International Youth Convention (Shenzhen) preparatory Committee
China


: ‘Contemporary China – Malaysia Teochew Artist Art Exhibition’
Catalogue (Pg 19) by Guangzhou Teochew Youth Association, China


: ‘Contemporary China – Malaysia Teochew Artist Art Exhibition’
Catalogue (Pg 25) by Malaysia Teochew Association

1997 : ‘The Inside Reveal’ Interior Design Show catalogue by Malaysian
Institute Of Art

1994 : ‘Malaysian Scenery’ Public Finance Art Award Exhibition Catalogue
by National Art Galley, Malaysia & Public Finance Berhad
RELATED EXPERIENCE

EXHIBITION DESIGN

2009 : ‘My Secret Garden’ Ceramics Exhibition, Pelita Hati’s House of Art,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

2006 : ‘1957 ’ Photo Exhibition in Bangsar Shopping Complex, Malaysia
: ‘China- Asean Floral Festival & Garden Show’ in QingXiu Mountain Park,
Nanning, China

2002 : ‘Dinosaur’s Alive’ Animatronics Dinosaur Show in Johor Bahru,
Malaysia – Chief Designer
: ‘Dragon & Dungeon’ Animatronics Creature Show in Summit USJ,
Malaysia – Chief Designer
: ‘Jurassic Kingdom’ Animatronics Dinosaur Show in Black Bamboo
Park, Beijing – Chief Designer

2001 : ‘Dinosaur’s Alive’ Animatronics Dinosaur Show in Penang Pesta,
Malaysia – Chief Designer



ILLUSTRATION WORK


2005 : Illustration works for Calendar 2006 for Arkitiara Corp. Sdn. Bhd.
: Illustration works Museum Negara Cultural Exhibition Hall) for
PICO International (M) Sdn Bhd

2004 : Illustration works (Malaysia’s Hall, World Expo 2004 at Aichi, Japan)
for PICO International (M) Sdn Bhd
: Illustration works (Petroleum Museum at East Malaysia) for
PICO International (M) Sdn Bhd

2002 : Illustration works printed on Roibo’s Tea Can Drink for
‘Jurassic Kingdom’ Animatronics Dinosaur Show in Beijing

2001 : Illustration works for ‘A Wonder Farm (Chinese Edition) for
Arkitiara Corp. Sdn Bhd

1994 : Illustration works printed on post card by WWF & Staeldler Malaysia

1990 : Illustration works for ‘My Family’ (Chinese Edition)
(ISBN 983-808-010-1)


FINE ART WORKSHOP
2010 : Participating Artist of ‘18th Ludvig International Symposium’,
Hungary.

2009 : Participating Artist of ‘Bamboo Village International Art Workshop’
In Yilan, Taiwan

2008 : Participating Artist of ‘Resonance’ International Art Workshop in
Sasaran, Malaysia