Originally from Malaysia, Mr Chew developed a passion for drawing and painting from a young age. After moving to Singapore, he pursued his artistic career and became actively involved in the local art community. In 2012, he became a full-time professional artist, dedicating himself to painting, teaching, and promoting the art of watercolour. He is a Signature Member of the National Watercolor Society (USA) and served as the former Vice-President of the Singapore Watercolour Society, contributing significantly to the development of watercolour art in Singapore.

Painting outdoors, or en plein air, is at the heart of Mr Chew's artistic journey. He regularly paints on location, carefully observing the effects of light, shadow, colour, and atmosphere before capturing them with confident, expressive brushwork. His favourite subjects include Singapore's heritage districts, traditional shophouses, bustling markets, rural villages, rivers, and scenic landscapes throughout Southeast Asia. Rather than simply recording what he sees, Mr Chew seeks to evoke feelings of nostalgia, belonging, and appreciation for the beauty found in everyday places.

EXHIBITIONS

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2023
Moments
ArtPlus / Cape of Good Hope Art Gallery, Singapore

2020
Points of View – A Virtual Exhibition of Watercolours by Marvin Chew (supported by the National Arts Council)
Virtual Exhibition, Singapore

2018
Impressions of Three Islands
ArtSafe Exhibition Hall, Singapore

2016
My Watercolour Story (with the launch of the artist's book of the same title)
ArtSafe Exhibition Hall, Singapore

2014
Eat • Drink • Paint
Utterly Art Gallery, Singapore

2012
In Living Colours
Galerie Sogan & Art, Singapore

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS, AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS

2024

  • Invited Guest Artist, Vietnam in Aquarello – Colours of Cultures, Hanoi, Vietnam

  • Invited Guest Artist, 3rd International Watercolour Exhibition, Watercolour Society of Western Australia, Perth, Australia

2023

  • Juried into the National Watercolour Society 103rd International Open Exhibition, USA

  • Juried into the San Diego Watercolor Society Plein Air Exhibition, USA

2022

  • Participated in Re-Kindle, six-person exhibition, ArtSafe, Singapore

  • Participated in the 2nd International Watercolour Masters Exhibition, Lilleshall Hall, United Kingdom

  • Participated in the Pulau Ketam International Art & Culture Festival, Malaysia

  • Participated in the Sarawak International Art Camp, Malaysia

2021

  • Juried into the National Watercolour Society 101st International Open Exhibition, USA

  • Appointed Brand Ambassador for Royal Talens Art Materials

2020

  • Participated in Geylang Si Paku Geylang, Wisma Geylang Serai, Singapore

  • Participated in Beyond the Walls, four-person virtual exhibition supported by the National Arts Council

2019

  • Participated in Our Colourful Journey, Scenic Rangers Plein Air Group, Singapore

2018

  • Participated in Interlace, group exhibition featuring 20 artists, Singapore

  • Participated in the inaugural International Watercolour Masters Exhibition, Weston Park, United Kingdom

  • Red Floor, Bedok South Wet Market selected for publication in Splash 19 – Illusion of Light (North Light Books)

2017

  • Participated in Commemorating NS50 Through Art, Singapore

  • Participated in the 4th Silk Road International Art Exhibition, Xi'an, China

  • Participated in Water Rhyme on the Maritime Silk Road, Singapore–Shantou Joint Exhibition, China

2016

  • Participated in the National Watercolor Society Invitational Plein Air Exhibition, Los Angeles, USA

  • Participated in the International Festival of Watercolour Artists, Bangkok, Thailand

  • Participated in Memoirs of City Port Scenes, Visual Arts Centre, Singapore

  • Participated in A Journey to Hue, Hue City, Vietnam

  • Featured in Singapore's Visual Artists Directory (National Arts Council)

  • Participated in the Singapore Art Society Annual Exhibition (2016–2023)

  • Featured in The Art of Watercolour magazine, Issue 23 (Revelations)

  • Fruit Stalls in Penang, Malaysia selected for publication in Splash 17: Inspiring Subjects

2015

  • Selected as one of 50 artists for A Brush with Singapore Art Society

  • Juried into the 38th International Exhibition, Watercolor Art Society – Houston (USA)

  • Juried into the Watercolor Missouri International Exhibition (USA)

  • Juried into the 45th Louisiana Watercolor Society International Exhibition (USA)

  • Participated in World Artists Alliance Exhibitions, Penang (Malaysia) and Hualien (Taiwan)

  • Participated in the National Day Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition, Singapore

  • Juried into the National Watercolour Society 95th International Annual Exhibition (USA)

  • Participated in 50 Cultural Landscapes of Singapore (SG50)

2014

  • Participated in A Changed World, National Museum of Singapore

  • Juried into the 37th International Exhibition, Watercolor Art Society – Houston (USA)

  • Participated in Re-Interpretation International Watercolour Exhibition, Suzhou, China

  • Participated in the National Day Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition

  • Participated in the Langkawi Art Biennale, Malaysia

  • Participated in the World Hainanese Calligraphy and Art Exhibition

2013

  • Juried into the 36th International Exhibition, Watercolor Art Society – Houston (USA)

  • Winner, Christopher J. Doré Memorial Award, 43rd Louisiana Watercolor Society International Exhibition

  • Participated in Unity in Diversity, National Library Board, Singapore

  • Participated in Artist's Favourite II, Penang State Museum, Malaysia

  • Represented Singapore at the China–ASEAN Youth Artists Workshop & Residency, Beijing (six works acquired by China's Ministry of Culture)

2012

  • Participated in $uper $ingapore $ale Art Exhibition, ION Orchard Gallery

  • Participated in Our Journey Watercolour Exhibition with Loy Chye Chuan & Students

2011

  • Participated in Tiong Bahru Revisited, White Canvas Gallery, Singapore

  • Participated in the inaugural Urban Sketchers Singapore Exhibition & Book Launch, URA Centre

2010

  • Participated in the National Day Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition, Singapore

  • Juried into the National Watercolor Society 90th Annual Exhibition, Los Angeles, USA

2009

  • Participated in The Call of Tradition, Singapore Art Show

  • Participated in the Singapore Hainanese Association Art Exhibition

2008

  • Participated in Telok Kurau Studios – Commemorating a Decade

  • Participated in the Folk Art Forum Exhibition, Rainforest World Music Festival, Kuching, Malaysia

  • Participated in Mountains as Non-Mountain, Telok Kurau Studios Annual Exhibition

  • Participated in the Singapore Chinese Cultural Festival Grand Art Exhibition

2007

  • Participated in the Sarawak Cultural Arts & Craft Festival, Kuching, Malaysia

2006

  • Participated in the Singapore Chinese Cultural Festival Grand Art Exhibition

  • Participated in the Penang–Singapore Watercolour Exhibition, Penang, Malaysia

2005

  • Juried into the 28th International Exhibition, Watercolor Art Society – Houston (USA)

  • Participated in the 17th Asia International Watercolour Exhibition, Singapore

2004–2023

  • Participated in the Singapore Watercolour Society Annual Exhibitions (35th–54th)

2003

  • Merit Award, Project Search – Discover South East Painting Competition, Singapore

ABOUT ARTIST

Marvin Chew

Marvin Chew (周佑任, born 1975) is a professional watercolour artist based in Singapore, widely recognised for his vibrant plein air paintings and expressive depictions of landscapes, urban streets, and everyday life in Southeast Asia. Working primarily in a semi-realistic and Impressionist style, Mr Chew combines transparent watercolours with bold, spontaneous brushstrokes inspired by the energy and rhythm of Chinese calligraphy. His paintings are admired for their luminous colours, strong sense of atmosphere, and ability to transform ordinary scenes into memorable works of art.

Mr Chew's artistic achievements have earned international recognition. His paintings have been accepted into the National Watercolor Society's International Open Exhibition in the United States on multiple occasions, leading to his Signature Membership in 2021. He has also participated in the prestigious International Watercolour Masters exhibitions in the United Kingdom and has held numerous solo exhibitions in Singapore, including In Living Colours, Eat • Drink • Paint, My Watercolour Story, Impressions of Three Islands, and Moments. Since 2021, he has also served as a Brand Ambassador for Royal Talens, reflecting his standing within the international watercolour community.

Today, Mr Chew continues to paint, exhibit, and conduct workshops both in Singapore and internationally. Through his expressive watercolours, he celebrates the charm of everyday life, encouraging viewers to rediscover the beauty of familiar streets, historic buildings, and natural landscapes. His lifelong dedication to plein air painting and watercolour has established him as one of Singapore's respected contemporary watercolour artists.