Chng Seok Tin



Singapore Infopedia

Background

Chng Seok Tin (b. 6 October 1946, Singapore–d. 6 September 2019, Singapore)1 was a multiple award-winning artist whose works have been widely showcased in Singapore and abroad. Between 1977 to 2019, she held over 30 solo and 138 group exhibitions.2 She pursued her art studies in Singapore, the United Kingdom, France and the US from 1971 to 1985,3 and for a decade from 1986, she taught tertiary-level printmaking and studio drawing.4

Chng’s works occupy a pivotal place in modern printmaking in Singapore. Her art practice encompasses drawing, painting, collage, mixed-media, photography, sculpture and installation.5 Her creations are themed around nature and the human condition.6 Following her visual impairment in 1988, Chng turned to creating more sculptural and mixed-media works.7 For her relentless spirit and contributions to the arts, she was awarded the Woman of the Year 2001 award by Her World magazine.8 In 2005, Chng was conferred the Cultural Medallion.9

As a prolific writer, Chng wrote a few columns on various topics such as art and travel for newspapers and magazines from 1974 to 2014. She had several pen names, but Zhuang Xin (庄歆) and Xin Zhen (心珍) were mainly used in her writing.10

Education
11

1959–62: Government Secondary IV School Certificate (Chinese), Chung Cheng High School, Singapore.
1963–64: Government Higher School Certificate (Chinese), Chung Cheng High School, Singapore.
1966–68: Certificate in Education, Teachers’ Training College, Singapore.
1970–71: Diploma in Western Painting (Charcoal drawing, Watercolour and Oil painting), Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore.
1971: Graphic Design (Chinese Medium), Teachers’ Training College, Singapore.
1971–73: Advanced Practical English Course, Second Language Training Centre, Singapore.
1972: Ceramic Art (Chinese Medium), Teachers’ Training College, Singapore.
1973: Special Teaching Course, Chinese at Secondary Level, Ministry of Education and Teachers’ Training College, Singapore.
1974–75: Diploma in Commercial Art, The World Correspondence School, Hong Kong.
1975–76: Foundation Studies in Fine Art, St Martin’s School of Art, London, UK.
1976–79: Bachelor of Arts (First Class Honours) in Fine Art, Hull College of Higher Education, Hull, England.
1980: Post-graduate course in Advanced Printmaking Studies, Hornsey College of Art, Middlesex Polytechnic, London, UK.
1980–81: Studied Intaglio and Engraving under Stanley William Hayter at Atelier 17, Paris, France.
1981–83: Master of Arts, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA (Major: Printmaking; Minor: Multi-media).
1983–85: Master of Fine Arts (Honours), University of Iowa, Iowa, USA (Major: Printmaking; Minor: Multi-media).

Employment history12
1965: Teacher-in-training, Chong Hua Primary School, Singapore.
1966–75: Teacher (Chinese as a Second Language), Tanjong Katong Girls’ School, Singapore.
1979: Teacher (Art & Crafts), Rangoon Secondary School, Singapore.
1981: Teacher (Art & Crafts and Geography), MacPherson Secondary School, Singapore.
1981–83: Teaching assistant (Printmaking), Art department, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, USA.
1985: Research assistant, Rental Gallery, School of Art and Art History, University of Iowa, Iowa, USA.
1985–86: Assistant Art Editor, Joint Publishing Company (Hong Kong Branch), Hong Kong.
1986–88: Lecturer (Studio Drawing and Printmaking), Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore.
1986–95: Lecturer (Printmaking), La Salle / LASALLE-SIA College of the Arts, Singapore.
1993–97: Lecturer (Printmaking), National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore.

Selected solo exhibitions13
1979: An Exhibition of Fine Prints by Chng Seok Tin, National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore.
1981: An Exhibition of Works by Chng Seok Tin, British Council Exhibition Hall, Singapore.
1982: (Installations and Prints), Little Gallery, Corbett Centre, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, USA.
1984: Prints & Drawings by Seok Ching, Eve Drewlowe Gallery, University of Iowa, Iowa, USA.
1985: Seok Chng: Prints/drawings (part of Project Art – The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics), Boyd Tower East Lobby, University of Iowa, Iowa, USA / A Retrospective Exhibition (1981–85) of Prints, Drawings & Fiber Art by Seok Chng, Iowa International Center, Iowa, USA / Prints by Chng Seok Tin, American Cultural Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
1987: From Water Series to the Floating World: An Exhibition of Recent Original Fine Prints and Mixed Media Works by Chng Seok Tin, National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore.
1989: Works by Chng Seok Tin, National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore.
1989–90: SEOK TIN CHNG Prints/Mixed Media Works, Posterngate Art Gallery, Hull, UK.  
1990: Charity Exhibition of Prints by Chng Seok Tin, Howard Salon Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan / Recent Prints by Chng Seok Tin, Faculty of Art and Design, University of Ulster, Belfast, UK.
1992: Games (Recent Monotypes and Etchings by Chng Seok Tin), d.p. Fong and Spratt Galleries, San Jose, California, USA.
1993: Games (Recent Drawings, Prints, Mixed Medias and Sculptures by Chng Seok Tin), National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore.
1994: Life: Chng Seok Tin Prints Exhibition, Cosmos Gallery, Cosmos Book Ltd, Hong Kong.
1996: Metamorphosis: Recent Sculpture, Print and Mixed Media Works by Chng Seok Tin, Singapore Festival of Arts 1996, Fort Canning Arts Centre, Singapore.
2001: Attachments and Detachments: A Chinese Obsession (Mixed-media Painting and Paper Sculpture Exhibition), Gallery Evason Hotel, Singapore / Life, Like Chess (an exhibition of installation, mixed-media and sculptures), Sculpture Square, Singapore.
2003: Frames Within and Without (installations and drawings), Utterly Art Gallery, Singapore.
2004: Sound of Vermont (prints and drawings), Art-2 Gallery, Singapore.
2005: Reflections of Paris (Prints by Chng Seok Tin), Orita.Sinclair.Int’l – Front Room Gallery, Singapore / Frames Within and Without II (installations and drawings), The Cone, Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, Singapore / Passage to Exhibition of Fine Prints by Chng Seok Tin, United Nations, UN Secretariat South Lounge, New York, USA.
2006: Evolution of Kim-chiam: From Dried Lily Bud to “Rolling Red Dust” (1980–2006), Telok Kurau Studios Gallery, Singapore.
2007: Wonders of Golden Needles (part of Huayi-Chinese Festival of Arts), Jendela Gallery, Esplanade-Theatres by the Bay, Singapore / Passion for Art – 35 Years (1971–2007) of Works by Visual Artist Chng Seok Tin, Museum of Fine Arts (Cultural Affairs Bureau of Hsinchu County) and the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Kinmen County, Taiwan.
2008: Before & After…: Works by Chng Seok Tin (part of ‘Arts of Female’ Special Exhibition, in celebration of Mother’s Day), Tainan County Cultural Center, Tainan County Government Cultural Affairs Department, Taiwan / Rolling Red Dust (part of ‘Spotlight: An Asian Festival of Inclusive Arts’), French Cultural Center, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
2011: Uncommon Wisdom – Works by Chng Seok Tin from 1966–2011, NAFA Gallery 1, 2, Singapore.
2013: Round Destinies, Alliance Francaise de Singapour, Societe Generale Private Banking Gallery, Singapore.
2014: Clouds Gather, Clouds Disperse, Art-2 Gallery, Singapore / Once Upon a Time – Drypoint Prints by Chng Seok Tin (1999–2013), NUSS Guild House, Singapore.
2015: Chng Seok Tin: My World Of Prints, Artcommune Gallery, Singapore.
2019: My Journey – Feel the hope, embrace the shine, The Arts House, Singapore.14
2019: An unbroken line, Jendela (Visual Arts Space), The Esplanade.15


Selected group exhibitions16
1977: Royal Overseas League Annual Exhibition, London, UK.
1977–79: Lincolnshire & Humberside Art Gallery, Lincoln, UK. 
1979: Winter Exhibition, Ferens Gallery, Hull, UK / Students’ Works Exhibition, Leeds Polytechnic, Leeds, UK / Degree Show, Hull College of Art, Hull, UK.
1982: Women’s Art Exhibition, William Hall Gallery, Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA.
1983: Masters’ Thesis Exhibition, William Hall Gallery, Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA / Anne Goodman Gallery, Art Consulting, Marina Del Rey, California, USA.
1984: Kansas 9th National Small Painting, Drawing and Print Exhibition, Visual Arts Center, Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kansas, USA / University of Iowa Student Art Exhibition 1984, University of Iowa, USA.
1983/84: International Print Exhibit: 1983 ROC (biennial exhibition), Taipei City Museum, Taipei, Taiwan.
1985: Printmakers Select Printmakers, Art and Architecture Gallery, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA / Print National, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA / 9th Annual Rock Island Fine Arts Exhibition 85, Augustana College Art Gallery, Illinois, USA / Ybor City National Print Competition, Tampa, Florida, USA.
1986: Contemporary Printmaking Exhibition, Contemporary Printmaking Association, Singapore; Goethe-Institut Art Gallery, Singapore / Bundaberg Arts Festival, Bundaberg Civic Centre, Queensland, Australia / The 12th Independent Exhibition of Prints, Kanagawa Prefectural Gallery, Yokohama, Japan / Exhibition of Art Development in the Republic of China, Taichung Provincial Art Museum, Taiwan.
1987: 3rd International Biennial Print Exhibition R.O.C, Taipei Fine Arts Museum, Taiwan / National Museum Centenary Art Exhibition, National Museum and Singapore Arts Council, National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore.
1988: Masterpieces from Private Collections, Singapore Festival of Arts 1988, Ministry of Community Development and the National Museum, National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore / Contemporary Prints Exhibition 1988, Ministry of Community Development, National Museum and Contemporary Printmaking Association (Singapore) and Contemporary Art Museum of the Philippines, National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore.
1989: The Artists Village 2nd Open-Studio Show, The Artists Village, Lorong Gambas, Singapore / The Drawing Show, The Artists Village, Lorong Gambas, Singapore / International Etchings and Lithographs Exhibition, Art Base Gallery, Singapore.
1990: QU Art Support II, The Artists Village Show, QU Artspace, Hong Kong / Urban Artists – 25 Years of Singapore Art, National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore.
1991: A Sculpture Seminar, National Museum & The Artists Village, National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore / National Sculpture Exhibition, National Museum Art Gallery and National Museum grounds, Singapore / Women and Their Art, National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore.
1992: The Space, The Artists Village Show, Singapore Festival of Arts 1992, National Arts Council & The Artists Village, Old Hong Bee Warehouse, Singapore.
1993: Artists’ General Assembly, 5th Passage Artists Ltd and The Artists Village, 5th Passage Contemporary Artspace, Singapore.
1994: Personae II, 5th Passage Artists Ltd, Pacific Plaza, Singapore / Lifestyles, Cultures & Perceptions (an exhibition of print works by Singapore and Jilin artists), Contemporary Printmaking Association, Singapore and Jilin Artists Association, China, National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore / International Very Special Arts Festival, The Royal Museum, Brussels, Belgium / La Troisieme Triennial Mondiale D'Estampes Petit Format, Ville De Chamalieres, France.
1995: Very Special Arts Institute: Yamagata Fellows and Exhibits, Very Special Arts Gallery, Washington DC, USA.
1996: A Century of Art in Singapore (part of a two-component exhibition, Modernity and Beyond), National Heritage Board and Singapore Art Museum, Singapore / Artists in Education/Education in Art (works by staff, students and alumni of the Art division, National Institute of Education, NTU), Singapore Art Museum & National Institute of Education, NTU, Singapore Art Museum, Singapore / Proof (works by Contemporary Printmaking Association, Singapore), Atrium Gallery, Marina Mandarin, Singapore / Proof II (works by Contemporary Printmaking Association, Singapore), Dr Earl Lu Gallery, LASALLE-SIA College of the Arts, Singapore / Imaging The Contemporary Body (selected works of art from the Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia), Galeri Petronas, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia / 1st Malaysia Annual Exhibition of International Contemporary Prints, The Central Academy of Art, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
1997: Atelier 17 International Printmaking Exhibition, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, NAFA Art Gallery, Singapore / ART EXPO ’97 SINGAPORE, International Art Expo (Singapore) Pte Ltd, World Trade Centre, Singapore / 1997 International Printmaking Fanfare, National Institute of Education, NTU, Raffles Foyer Gallery, Singapore / Memories by the Lake Art Exhibition 1997 (works by former art teachers and students of Chung Cheng High School), Orchard Point Art Gallery, Singapore / 2nd Malaysia Annual Exhibition of International Contemporary Prints, The Central Academy of Art, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia / 1997 Taegu Asia Arts Exhibition, Taegu Branch, Korean Fine Arts Association, Taegu, South Korea.
1998: Her Presence in Colours III (International Women Artists Exhibition), Conservatory of Fine Arts, Penang State Art Gallery, Malaysia / Imprints – 60 Years of Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Alumni Association and Singapore Art Museum, Singapore Art Museum, Singapore / Relief Prints Exhibition 1998, Printmaking Society (Singapore) and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, NAFA Art Gallery, Singapore.
1999: Provocative Things: A 3-Dimensional Experience in Singapore, Sculpture Square, Singapore / The 3rd Poetry, Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition of Yi Nian Society (Singapore) (in conjunction with the 1999 International Year of the Elderly), Yi Nian Society (Singapore) and Singapore Hainan Hwee Kuan, Singapore / Nokia Singapore Art 1999 – City/Community, National Arts Council, Singapore Art Museum, Singapore.
2000: Five Elements: An Exhibition by Very Special Arts Artists, Very Special Arts Singapore, HaKaren Art Gallery & The Sheraton Towers Singapore, DOMVS, The Italian Restaurant, The Sheraton Towers Singapore, Singapore / The Printmaking Society (Singapore) Exhibition, CAA Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia / Excerpt 2000: Works by 20 Outstanding Singapore Artists, Soobin Art Gallery, Singapore.
2001: Proof III, 2001 (an exhibition by the Printmaking Society Singapore), The Substation Gallery, Singapore / Women Beyond Borders (a cross cultural project connecting women from 36 countries around the world), Sculpture Square, Singapore / ICE-Singapores Art Palette, Windsor Room, Goodwood Park Hotel, Singapore / Walking to the 21st Century Grand Art Exhibition, Federation of Art Societies (Singapore), The ARTrium, MICA Building, Singapore.
2001/2002: Telok Kurau Studios 2001: Recent Works by 30 Telok Kurau Artists (an affiliate project of NOKIA Singapore Art 2001), Telok Kurau Studios Gallery, Singapore.
2002: Borders (an affiliate project of NOKIA Singapore Art 2001), Printmaking Society (Singapore), Alliance Francaise, Singapore / Spirited Face: Painting in the Woman, The ARTrium, MICA Building, Singapore / Windows of Hope, Very Special Arts Singapore, Raffles City Garden Court, Singapore / Remembering The Samsui Women: A Mixed Media Exposition (an affiliate project of NOKIA Singapore Art 2001), National Arts Council and Singapore Art Museum, Ying Fo Fui Kun, Singapore / Space Invader (prints exhibition), Utterly Art, Singapore / Journey of Rainbow Bridge (part of High Beam Festival), High Beam Visual Arts Hub – Shop@Leigh Street, Adelaide, Australia / Round Show (a Sculpture Society Singapore exhibition), Sculpture Square, Singapore / Woman Inspire, Suntec City Conventional Hall, Singapore / Artists Cultural Exchange Japan (exchange programme), Hakodate Social Welfare Center, Japan (Sapporo, Hokkaido, Osaka and Nara) / Beauty Show, The Artists Village, Utterly Art Gallery, Singapore / The Spirit Within (Telok Kurau Studios annual exhibition), Telok Kurau Studios Gallery, Singapore.
2003: Change (Telok Kurau Studios annual exhibition), Telok Kurau Studios Gallery, Singapore / Memories by the Lake Art Exhibition 2003 (works by former art teachers and students of Chung Cheng High School), Singapore Art Society, Ngee Ann Cultural Centre, Singapore / Read the Small Print (Printmaking Society Singapore annual group exhibition), Utterly Art Exhibition Space, Singapore / Work In Progress – The Power Show, Sculpture Society Singapore, The Substation Gallery & Garden, Singapore / How Does Art Shape My World? (VSA annual art exhibition 2003 & the Gift Fair), Very Special Arts Singapore, Raffles City Shopping Centre (City Square), Singapore.
2004: Tanbo x Project, Iwaki Uwa-town, Ehime Prefecture, Japan / SingArt A Brush with Lions, Singapore Tourism Board, Singapore / Exposition: Three Men Show, Cite International des Art, Paris, France / Proof IV (works by Printmaking Society Singapore), Printmaking Society Singapore, Singapore Tyler Print Institute, Singapore / ROOM-VSA annual art exhibition 2004, Very Special Arts Singapore, Raffles City Shopping Centre, Singapore.
2005: 4th Malaysia-Singapore Chinese Art Exchange Exhibition 2005, Chinese Assembly Hall, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia / Five Elements: The Elements of Art-VSA Annual Art Exhibition 2005, Very Special Arts Singapore, Raffles City Shopping Centre, Singapore / Celebration: An Art Exhibition by TKS Artists, Telok Kurau Studios, TKS Art Gallery, Singapore / Time Phase Print (25th anniversary of the Printmaking Society Singapore), Jendela Gallery, Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay, Singapore / Brickfest Art Exhibition and Auction (in aid of The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund), Wheelock Properties, Singapore / Print Out (works by Printmaking Society Singapore), Tyler Print Institute, Singapore / Memories by the Lake Art Exhibition 2005 (works by alumni of Chung Cheng High School), Singapore Art Society, Ngee Ann Cultural Centre, Singapore.
2006: City. Living: Works by Chng Seok Tin and Victor Tan Wee Tar (City Festival 2006: Spotlight Singapore), Hong Kong Fringe Club, Hong Kong / Singapore Chinese Culture Festival Grand Art Exhibition 2006, Federation of Art Societies Singapore, Singapore Conference Hall, Singapore / Journey 06 (Telok Kurau Studios annual exhibition), Telok Kurau Studios Gallery, Singapore / Sculpture Society (Singapore) Exhibition 2006, Sculpture Society (Singapore), Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay (Jendela Gallery & Outdoor), Singapore / Madly in Love, Madly in Art: A Multi-dimensional Art Exhibition, Telok Kurau Studios, Telok Kurau Studios Gallery, Singapore / Working the Plate: New Works by Members of the Printmaking Society (Singapore), FOST (Gallery), Singapore.
2007: Limited/Unlimited, the 27th anniversary exhibition of Printmaking Society Singapore, Tyler Print Institute, Singapore.
2008: Commemorating A Decade ‘1997–2007’, Telok Kurau Studios, Telok Kurau Studios Gallery, Singapore / Passion for Art – 35 Years (1997–2007) of Works by Visual Artist Chng Seok Tin, in Colourful Life, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Villa/Hsiwan Art Gallery, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan / Welcome to My World, VSA Singapore, City Square, Raffles City Shopping Centre, Singapore / The Artists Village: 20 Years On, Singapore Art Museum & The Artists village, Singapore Art Museum & 8Q SAM, Singapore / Proof V (28th annual exhibition of Printmaking Society Singapore), SG Private Banking Gallery, Alliance Francaise de Singapour, Singapore / Mountains as Non-Mountains (Telok Kurau Studio annual exhibition 2008), Telok Kurau Studios Art Gallery, Singapore / Nanyang 70 Years After: A Reunion of Artists in the Academy, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore / Group exhibition by Chng Seok Tin and two Taiwan artists with visual disabilities: Yao Ke-Hung (Yao K. Hong) and Liao Tsan-cheng. National Tsing Hua University Arts Center, Hsinchu, Taiwan.
2009: Part of Singapore’s delegation for the First Northern Sumatra Literature Festival, Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia / Singapore Art Exhibition 2009, National Arts Council & Singapore Art Museum, Singapore Art Museum, Singapore / Imagine… (The Very Special Arts annual art exhibition), Very Special Arts Singapore, Raffles City Shopping Centre, Singapore / Nanyang in Paris, Club NAFA & Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Lim Hak Tai Gallery (Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts), Singapore / Singapore Art Show 2009 – SAS2009, National Arts Council & Federation of Art Societies (Singapore), Federation of Art Societies (Singapore) Gallery, Singapore / 1st Small Sculpture Show, Sculpture Square & Sculpture Society (Singapore), Sculpture Square, Singapore / 2nd Qijing Prints Festival and International Invitational Exhibition, Qijing County Government, Chongqing, China / Shenzhou Fengyun: The Inaugural Annual Art Exhibition of Chinese Artists, Centre of International Cultural Exchange and Heshan Art Association, Beijing World Art Museum, Beijing, China / Surfaces: The 29th Annual Exhibition of the Printmaking Society, Singapore, Printmaking Society Singapore, Tyler Print Institute, Singapore / Memories By The Lake Art Exhibition 2009, Ngee Ann Cultural Centre, Singapore / Modern Hermit (Telok Kurau Studios annual exhibition 2009), Telok Kurau Studios Art Gallery, Singapore / Recovery Through Art, Singapore Association for Mental Health, Singapore Art Museum Glass Hall (art exhibition to commemorate SAMH’s 40th anniversary), Singapore.
2009–10: Earth and Water: Mapping Art in Southeast Asia, Singapore Art Museum, Singapore.
2010: ARTSingapore 2010 Preview@ION: A Celebration of Contemporary Asian Art, ION Art gallery, Ion Orchard, Singapore / Look Again (VSA Singapore annual art exhibition), Raffles City Shopping Centre, Singapore / Dance, Dance, Dance, sculpture installation by Chng Seok Tin / NAFA Alumni Association 35th Anniversary Art Exhibition, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (MICA) Building, Singapore / Forgetting the Roses, Telok Kurau 13th annual art exhibition, Singapore.
2011: Hungry for More Utterly Art, ION Art Gallery, Singapore.
2012: VSA Annual Art Exhibition Identity – A Journey to Self-Discovery, Changi City Point, Singapore / Singapore Representative at the first Macau Printmaking Triennial 2012, jointly organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macau government and the Printmaking Research Centre of Macau / Tribute – THE EXHIBITION, Jendela and Tunnel Gallery, The Esplanade, Singapore.
2013: What A Colourful Autumn, Burau Yiliu, Kunming, China / Biennial Memories By The Lake Exhibition, Ngee Ann Cultural Centre, Singapore / The Artist Village Show, the Institute of Contemporary Arts Singapore, Lasalle College of the Arts, Singapore.
2014: Exhibited at Incheon 2014 Asian Para Games, Korea / Advancing Art Force, Blue Roof Art Festival Chengdu, China / Veni, Vidi, Vici, Artcommune gallery, Singapore17 / The Very Special Tree, VSA Christmas at Changi City Point, Singapore.
2015: These Sacred Things, Jendela Gallery (Esplanade), Singapore / Singapore National Women’s Art Show Blossom and Flourish, Federation of Art Societies, Singapore / The Cultural Medallion And Visual Arts 1979–2015 (Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts’ year-end show), commissioned by the National Arts Council, The Ngee Ann Kongsi Galleries 1 & 2, NAFA, Singapore.18
2018: Hail, Chinese Culture Exhibition, Public Art Space, Pan Pacific Singapore, Singapore.19

Awards and achievements20
1976–79:
Lee Foundation Study Awards, Singapore, Hull College of Higher Education, Hull, UK.

1977: Second Prize, Worldwide Chinese Essay Competition organised by the Wide Angle Press, Hong Kong.
1979: Certificate of Commendation, CNAA Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Fine Art, with commendation in Complementary Studies including the History of Art and Design, Faculty of Design Studies, Hull College of Higher Education, Hull, UK / Cultural Foundation Award, Ministry of Culture, Singapore (Postgraduate Studies, Hornsey College of Art, UK).
1981–83: Teaching assistantship, Art Department, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA.
1984: Finalist, Photographers’ Forum, 1984 Student Photo Contest, California, USA.
1985: Tuition scholarship, School of Art, University of Iowa, Iowa, USA / Honourable mention in YBOR National Print Show, Tampa, Florida, USA.
1995: Singapore Representative (Best Lyrics Composition), 3rd Asia Wataboshi Music Festival, Shanghai, China.
2002: Woman of The Year Award 2001, Her World Magazine, Singapore.
2003: Artist-in-residence grant, Vermont Studio Center International Residencies Program, Vermont, USA.
2004: Artist-in-residence, Cite International des Arts, Paris, France. Supported by Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and Lee Foundation, Singapore.
2005: 2005 Cultural Medallion, Singapore.
2007: Singapore Chinese Literary Award 2007, Singapore Literature Society.
2014: Singapore Women’s Hall of Fame in inaugural year.

Other art-related activities21
1992: Distinguished Visiting Artist, San Jose State University, California, USA.
1993–2002: Campaign for “Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons” in Culture and Arts.
1994: 2nd International Very Special Arts Festival Singapore representative, Brussels, Belgium.
1995: Selected for The Very Special Arts Institute: Yamagata Fellows and Exhibit, in collaboration with The Corcoran Museum of Art and School of Art, Washington DC, USA.
1997: ASIA WIND: Decade for Artists with Disabilities in the Asia Pacific Region, Mid-point  Commemoration, Office of the Prime Minister, The Nice Heart Foundation and The Wataboshi Movement, Tokyo, Japan / Art instructor for printmaking workshops, Singapore Technologies Automotive’s Art For Charity programme, Singapore.
1998: Artist-in-residence, Sichuan Fine Arts Institute and Sichuan Teachers’ Training University, Chengdu, China.
1999: Selected to exhibit in “Art and Soul” – Asian and Pacific Very Special Arts Festival, Osaka. 
2001: Distinguished Artist, Art for All (III): Regional Training Seminar and Art Camp for Children and Youth with Disabilities, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP), United Nations Conference Centre, Bangkok, Thailand / Speaker, The Development of Printmaking in Singapore for the 3rd biennial exhibition, Proof III, 2001, by the Printmaking Society (Singapore), The Substation Gallery, Singapore / Art instructor, NAC Artist-in-School programme, basic printmaking workshops at Siglap Secondary School, National Arts Council, Singapore / Art instructor for printmaking workshops, Asian Art Fair, Suntec City, Singapore.
2002: Singapore representative, Disabled People’s International pre-event seminar, Hakodate Social Welfare Center, Hakodate City, Japan / Artist Mentor, Sculpture Carnival 2002, Sculpture Square, Singapore / Speaker, Blindspot workshop (part of High Beam Festival), at NEXUS Cabaret, Lion Arts Centre, Adelaide, Australia.
2003: Artist-in-residence, Vermont Studio Center International Residencies Program, Vermont, USA / Guest-of-honour, Crescent Girls’ School’s 1st Art Awareness Week by S2 Centre of Excellence for Creative Arts Education @ Crescent / Instructor, HeART Fair Workshop by Very Special Arts Singapore, Cairnhill Community Centre, Singapore.
2004: Demonstration on Printmaking Techniques, Singapore Teachers Art Society, Singapore / Guest Writer, NAC Artist-in-School Programme (Literature Component), Singapore / Artist-in-residence, Cite International des Art, Paris, France, supported by Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and Lee Foundation, Singapore.
2005: Blossoming of the Pomegranate: Documenting 30 Years of Chng Seok Tin’s Art, p-10, Singapore / Guest Artist, Singapore Tyler Print Institute, Singapore.
2006: Conducted workshop, Watercolour Printmaking for the Arts, Disabled Association Hong Kong, Artminor workshop, Hong Kong.
2007: Provided lyrics and sculpture installation for performance, Red Dust, Van Body Theatre, M1 Singapore Fringe Festival 2007, Singapore.
2007–2008: Conducted visual art workshops for the visually impaired from The Association of the Blind in Cambodia and street kids from Mith Samlanh in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
2008: The montage “Singapore Spirit”, created by works produced during a printmaking workshop conducted by Chng Seok Tin and a digital art workshop by Tan Haur, was used on the Funpacks for the National Day Parade 2008, Singapore.
2009: Conducted printmaking workshop for children at Kwan Yin Chan Lin Pengerang International Zen Meditation Centre, Johor, Malaysia / Conducted printmaking and painting workshop for members of Singapore Association for Mental Health, Singapore / Part of Singapore’s delegation for the First Northern Sumatra Literature Festival, Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia / Participated in Singapore Arts Street 2009 @ South East, Marine Parade Promenade, Singapore.
2013: Participated in Purple Parade, organised together with the United Nations’ International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
2014: Participated in Twentyfifteen Book #8 Ngiap Heng Tan’s photography project, Articulate series, to celebrate Singapore’s jubilee year (SG50), organised by Platform, Singapore / Conducted printmaking classes at Kwan Yin Chan Lin, Singapore / Conducted four introductory classes on Chinese culture at Singapore Association for Mental Health / Participated in Ngiap Heng Tan’s photography project, Articulate series, to celebrate Singapore’s jubilee year (SG50), Singapore.
2014–15: Judge, Open Call Art Competition, Drive Public Art project, Yeo Workshop, Gillman Barracks, Singapore.
2016: Conducted printmaking workshop at Kwan Yin Chan Lin, Singapore / Contributed artworks to the Arts Beyond Sight exhibition held at Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre / Conducted Make Art In The Dark Workshop With Chng Seok Tin at Telok Kurau Studios Gallery.22
2017: Participated in the Maker Faire Singapore as part of the Singapore Maker Extravaganza23 / Installed a temporary art installation made of donated lipsticks at Raffles City Shopping Centre as part of a collaboration between Raffles City Shopping Centre and Very Special Arts Singapore.24
2018:
Conducted sculpting activity in a dark room at the Singapore Philatelic Museum.25


Passing
On 6 September 2019, Chng Seok Tin passed away from cancer at Assisi Hospice.26



Author

Koh Nguang How



References
1. Ministry of Community Development, Singapore, Singapore Artists Directory (Singapore: Prime Prints with the assistance of the Ministry of Community Development, 1987), 29. (Call no. RSING 709.59570922 SIN-[DIR])
2. “Round Destinies,” Today, 4 February 2013, 33 (From NewspaperSG); Chng Seok Tin, “Chng Seok Tin’s Cv – Detailed,” accessed 10 September 2014; Arts: Exhibitions,” Straits Times, 4 September 2015, 10; Leong Weng Kam, “School Shows Off Art Talent Tradition,” Straits Times, 12 December 2013,  9Mayo Martin, “Cream of the Crop: Visual Art’s Cultural Medallion Winners in the Spotlight at NAFA’s Year-End Show,” Today, 19 December 2015, 22; Helmi Yusof, “What’s Become of The Artists Village?” Business Times, 29 November 2013, 32. (From NewspaperSG)
3. Chng, “Chng Seok Tin’s Cv.”
4. Jeremy Au Yong, “She Has Found Her Pot of Gold…,” Straits Times, 1 April 2000, 13. (From NewspaperSG)
5. Ministry of Community Development, Singapore, Singapore Artists Directory, 29; T. K. Sabapathy, “Into the Heart of Printing,” Straits Times, 10 December 1987, 27; Parvathi Nayar, “Breaking Out of the Mould,” Business Times, 26 May 2001, 21. (From NewspaperSG)
6. Nayar, “Breaking Out of the Mould”; T. K. Sabapathy, “Figures of Anxiety,” Straits Times, 20 January 1993, 8; Susie Wong, “Imprints of Inhumaniy,” Straits Times, 30 May 1996, 5. (From NewspaperSG)
7. “Blind Artist Expresses Herself Through Sculpture,” Straits Times, 15 May 1993, 31. (From NewspaperSG)
8. “Her World Woman Of The Year 2001: Chng Seok Tin,” SPH Media Limited, accessed 11 September 2016; “Woman of the Year,” Today, 8 March 2002, 4. (From NewspaperSG)
9. Mathew Phan, “Eclectic Artistes Win Cultural Medallions,” Business Times, 22 October 2005 9. (From NewspaperSG)
10. Chng Seok Tin, “Writer,” accessed 15 May 2019.  
11. Chng, “Chng Seok Tin’s Cv.”
12. Chng, “Chng Seok Tin’s Cv.”
13. “Round Destinies”; Chng, “Chng Seok Tin’s Cv”; Exhibitions.”
14. M. Sim, “Arts Picks: S.E.A. Focus,” Straits Times, 18 January 2019. (From Factiva via NLB’s eResources website)
15. Ong Sor Fern, “Arts Picks,” Straits Times, 16 August 2019. (From Factiva via NLB’s eResources website)
16. Chng, “Chng Seok Tin’s Cv”; Leong, “School Shows Off Art Talent Tradition”; Mayo Martin, “Cream of the Crop; Visual Art’s Cultural Medallion Winners in the Spotlight at NAFA’s Year-End Show,” Today, 19 December 2015, 22 (From NewspaperSG); Yusof, “What’s Become of The Artists Village?” 
17. Exhibitions.”
18. Chng, “Chng Seok Tin’s Cv”; Leong, “School Shows Off Art Talent Tradition”; Martin, Cream of the Crop”; Yusof, “What’s Become of The Artists Village?” 
19. “Happenings – Arts,” Straits Times, 19 January 2018. (From Factiva via NLB’s eResources website)
20. Chng, “Chng Seok Tin’s Cv.”
21. Chng, “Chng Seok Tin’s Cv”; “Upcoming Activities,” Kwan Yin Chan Lin Zen Meditation Centre Singapore, accessed 19 September 2016.  
22. Nur Asyiqin Mohamad Salleh, “See Art through the Eyes of the Blind,” Straits Times, 31 August 2016, 9; “Classes: Make Art in the Dark Workshop,” Straits Times, 2 December 2016, 8. (From NewspaperSG)
23. Sean Lim, “Magical Science,” Straits Times, 21 July 2017, 11. (From NewspaperSG)
24. “First-in-S’pore Products from Japan and Premium Rice Brand from Korea,” New Paper, 4 November 2017; “Very Special Arts Singapore,” Welcome to My World (January 2018), 12.
25. Akshita Nanda, “Arts Picks: Bitten: Return to Our Roots,” Straits Times, 23 November 2018. (From Factiva via NLB’s eResources website)
26. Ovidia Ho and Ong Sor Fern, “Artist Preserved in Making Art after Losing Her Eyesight,” Straits Times, 7 September 2019, D8. (From Factiva via NLB’s eResources website)



Further resources
Arthur Sim, “Eyes Wide Shut,” Straits Times, 2 November 2001, 4. (From NewspaperSG)

Chng Seok Tin: Leaving Her Imprint,” Straits Times, 9 August 1984, 23. (From NewspaperSG)

J. Toh, “Second Generation Artists,” in Selves: The State of the Arts in Singapore, ed., Kwok Kian Woon, Arun Mahizhnan, T. Sasitharan (Singapore: National Arts Council, 2002), 86–88. (Call no. RSING q700.95957 SEL)

Kwok Kian Chow, Channels & Confluences: A History of Singapore Art (Singapore: Singapore Art Museum, 1996), 122, 126. (Call no. RSING 709.5957 KWO)

Loh Tien Yin, “A Feel for Colour,” New Paper, 9 June 1989, 17. (From NewspaperSG)

Near-Blind Artist Is First Singaporean to Exhibit at UN,” Straits Times, 13 May 2005, 8. (From NewspaperSG)

R. Tan, “Her World Woman of the Year 2001: Chng Seok Tin....Visionary Artist,” Her World (April 2002): 294–98. (Call no. RSING 052 HW)

Rachel Barnes, “Seok Tin: Back from the Cold,” Straits Times, 19 May 1981, 3. (From NewspaperSG)

“Seeing With the Mind’s Eye,” Goodwood Journal (1989): 33–39. (Call no. RSING 052 GHCGJ)

S. H. Tan, ed., Singapore Artist Directory (Singapore: Empress Place Museum, 1992). (Call no. RSING 709.59570922 SAD-[DIR])

Shamala Kandiah, “Singapore Artist Gives UN a Unique Insight,” Straits Times, 28 May 2005, 46. (From NewspaperSG)

Sian Jay, “Life Is Like a Game of Chess,” Today, 3 November 2001, 17. (From NewspaperSG)

Susie Koay, “The Eighties – Legacy and Development,” in National Museum Singapore and the Singapore Arts Council, National Museum Centenary Art Exhibition (Singapore: National Museum, 1987), 13–15. (Call no. RSING 709.5957 NAT)

Susie Koay, Urban Artists: 25 Years of Singapore Art (Singapore: National Museum, 1990). (Call no. RSING 708.95957 URB)

Suzanne Sng, “Inspiring Blind Artist Is Woman of the Year,” Straits Times, 8 March 2002, 3. (From NewspaperSG)

T. K. Sabapathy, “Despairing But Undefeated,” Straits Times, 11 August 1989, 20. (From NewspaperSG)

T. Sasitharan, “Pressing Light from Darkness,” Straits Times, 3 August 1989, 1. (From NewspaperSG)

Touched By Award,” Straits Times, 22 October 2005, 7. (From NewsaperSG)



The information in this article is valid as at September 2019 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.

 

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