Mr. Tung’s formal art training began at the age of 15 under the mentorship of pioneer Singaporean artist-educator Shi Xiang Tuo, who trained him in traditional Chinese ink painting, calligraphy, seal carving, and engraving. He later expanded his technical range into ceramics and sculpture under renowned master Ng Eng Teng. Prior to dedicating himself entirely to fine art, mr Tung worked as a graphic design director in advertising, an experience that honed his understanding of spatial balance and visual structure
Known for his remarkable endurance, mr Tung frequently paints on-site (en plein air) directly before his subjects, sometimes working continuously for up to 12 hours to capture atmospheric shifts in light, texture, and urban rhythm.
EXHIBITIONS
Awards
1977 Meritorious Award, Beautiful Singapore River Art Competition
1985 Commendation Award, UOB Painting of the Year Competition
2002 Dr Tan Tze Chor Art Award (First Prize)
2014 Dr Tan Tze Chor Art Award (First Prize)
Solo Exhibitions
2024: Tung Yue Nang: Life, artcommune gallery, Singapore
2023: Forever: Ink Paintings by Tung Yue Nang, artcommune gallery, Singapore
2014: Silence: Ink Paintings by Tung Yue Nang, Singapore
2003: Baba & Nyonya – Double Happiness, Paragon Atrium, Singapore
2002: Chinatown My Chinatown, Paragon Atrium, Singapore
2000: Heaven on Earth: The Bali Sojourn, Paragon, Singapore
1998: Land Before Time, Art Forum, Singapore
1988: Space & Time, Pavilion Hotel, Singapore
Public & Corporate Collections
Tung Yue Nang’s works are represented in major institutional, corporate, and private collections across Southeast Asia, including:
National Collection Singapore (National Gallery Singapore / Singapore Art Museum)
Singtel Art Collection
United Overseas Bank (UOB)
Citibank N.A. & DBS Finance
Singapore Airlines & IBM Singapore
Ministry of the Environment & CPF Board
ABOUT ARTIST
Tung Yue Nang
Tung Yue Nang was born in 1959 & is a prominent second-generation Singaporean artist known for synthesizing traditional Chinese brush-and-ink aesthetics with modern Western compositional techniques. Deeply anchored in Taoist philosophy (Tao Te Ching), his practice revolves around capturing harmony, mindfulness, and visual equilibrium within urban landscape and heritage themes.
Artistic Style & Practice
Synthesis of East & West: While his line work, ink control, and philosophical outlook are rooted in Chinese ink wash (Shui Mo) and Liu Bai (留白 - negative space), his spatial organization, perspective, and precision draw from Western modernist principles.
Urban Heritage & Nostalgia: His most iconic works capture Singapore’s historic enclaves—such as Chinatown, Joo Chiat, the Singapore River, and Pulau Ubin. He often contrasts detailed, traditional shophouses in the foreground against soft, atmospheric washes of modern skyscrapers in the background.
Versatility Across Mediums: Beyond Chinese ink on rice paper, Tung’s broader repertoire spans acrylics, mixed media, collage, photo-realist still lifes (such as his acclaimed Peranakan series), street photography, and bronze/ceramic sculpture.