ARTWORK

​Happy Hearts 1
Medium: Acrylic Markers on fine art paper
Size:  45x45cm 

​Happy Hearts 2
Medium: Acrylic Markers on fine art paper
Size: 45x45cm 

Sweet 17
Medium: Mixed media on canvas
Size: 160x120cm 

Sweet 17
A celebration of color, chaos, and young love, Sweet 17 is a visual diary of raw emotion.
Layered with vibrant neons, graffiti-style markings, and abstract heart shapes, the piece
captures the whirlwind of being seventeen—romantic, fearless, and beautifully messy. Each
mark on the canvas feels spontaneous yet deliberate, echoing the emotional highs and lows
of adolescence. It’s loud, electric, and unfiltered—just like youth itself.

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BIO

Jays Phua
https://www.instagram.com/jaysphua/
​
Artist Statement 

The doodling keeps me alive. Mistakes create the oxygen to give life to my imagination. I embrace chaos and imperfection, using bold strokes of acrylic, spray paint, and markers to shape raw, vibrant expressions. My work challenges convention, celebrating the untamed spirit of creativity. Art, for me, is a fearless celebration of what it means to be truly alive. 

Artist Bio  
Jays Phua, born in Singapore in 1979, is a contemporary painter based in Singapore. Specializing in abstract expressionism, he employs a versatile approach using acrylic paints, markers, and spray paints on canvas. Renowned for his vibrant color palette and intuitive compositions, Phua’s work often incorporates fluorescent hues, reflecting a dynamic interplay of emotional depth and raw spontaneity. 

Phua’s art explores themes of self-expression, resilience, and the unstructured imagination of childhood. Characterised by bold gestures, intricate textures, and a fearless use of colour, his work challenges conventions while celebrating imperfection. Notable projects include the 2023 solo exhibition “Finding Focus in Distraction” at Gallery 1819, which provided an intimate exploration of his creative journey, and his ongoing series “Cosmic Wanderer,” which delves into the mysteries of the universe through playful abstraction. 

Jays Phua’s artworks have been exhibited internationally, with highlights including participation in the 2024 Affordable Art Fair in Singapore, a juried exhibition at Agora/White Space Gallery in New York City, and an upcoming showcase at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris. His works are held in private collections across South Korea, Hong Kong, Malaysia, China, Germany, and the United States, affirming his growing status as a global contemporary artist. 


Jays Phua 
Born: 1979, Singapore 
Resides and Works: Singapore 

Education 
• University of Technology, Sydney 

Selected Solo Exhibitions 
• 2023: Finding Focus in Distractions, Gallery 1819, Singapore 
• 2021: Brilliant Legacy, Gallery 1819, Singapore 

Selected Group Exhibitions 
• 2024: Vivid Euphoria, Art District Gallery, Singapore 
• 2023: Classroom, Nonage Gallery, Singapore 
• 2023: Singapore’s Past, Present, and Future, The American Club Singapore 
• 2024: New York I Love You, Agora Gallery, New York, USA 

Art Fairs 
• 2024: Affordable Art Fair, represented by Art District SG, Singapore 
• 2023: Affordable Art Fair, represented by Gallery 1819, Singapore 
• 2022: Affordable Art Fair, represented by Gallery 1819, Singapore 

Special Projects & Collaborations 
• 2023: Live Painting, All Eyes on Me, Roberta’s Pizza, Marina Bay Sands, presented by Wasuka Art 
• 2023: Collaboration with Roche Bobois, featured in Tatler Homes 
• 2023: Collaboration with Gardens By The Bay, Exhibition at Floral Fantasy, Singapore 
 
 Awards  
• Winner, Circle Foundation, AGI Gallery Contest 2024 
• Finalist, AGI Gallery Contest, New York for participation in 2025 Artexpo New York 

Press & Publications 
• 2023: Hong XinYing, “Artistic Dialogue” in Tatler Homes 
• 2023: Faye Sun, “Jays Phua Solo Exhibition – Finding Focus in Distraction,” Lianhe Zaobao 
• 2023: Joseph Low, “Artist Jays Phua: Finding Focus in Distraction Exhibition” in LUXUO 
• 2021: Cheryl Lai-Lim, “Brilliant Legacy” in Tatler Asia 

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