Born in 1960 in Nanjing, China, Yifeng Tan’s development as an artist began as a propaganda officer for the communist government, producing works that extolled the ‘proletarian virtues’ of a fighting spirit, tenacity, and loyalty.
Despite seemingly limited opportunities for creativity, Yifeng Tan was able to use the freedom the role of propaganda officer afforded him to explore and examine both a wider aspect of life than he might otherwise have experienced, and his own artistic sensibilities. His eye for beauty even in the mundane as well as his innovative techniques quickly brought him acclaim and prominence in the Nanjing art establishment.
With the coming of the 1980s and the loosening of communist control over artistic expression, Yifeng Tan embarked upon a more subversive path, creating images that challenged traditional Chinese aesthetic sensibilities, as well as Confucian social values. With this new sense of freedom, however, also came a desire to explore and seek out new challenges – and with that in mind, Yifeng set out to see the wider world. He arrived in Canberra in 1990, ostensibly to learn English, but with the greater goal of expanding his artistic and cultural horizons.
Gaining a scholarship to the Canberra School of Art, Yifeng at first found the sudden diversity and freedom of artistic expression available to him somewhat daunting. Nonetheless, he quickly won recognition in the local art scene, winning several prizes in Canberra and becoming a finalist in the 2006 Sulman Prize.
Black Apple 17, Yifeng Tan, 2017
My painting will connect the objective reality and facts with fantasy and illusion. The works make use of the methods of compounding and parallelism in a humorous way. They fabricate blank space to join together illusion, dreams, romantic scenes and mystery, idealism and create a tactile sensation that strides across time and space. The works symbolise diverse elements that co-exist in a multi-culture society, including for example those that are excluded form.or assimilated to this convergence of culture – Yifeng Tan
The apple – a common symbol of human cupidity and foolhardiness, holding connotations of expulsion from paradise – is used by Yifeng to illustrate the precarious position of humanity as it battles for survival. His evocative imagery details human figures – agonised and indistinct, but clearly desperately clinging to the shiny surface of the apple. Yifeng Tan’s stark visual language draws the reader towards such themes as the human desire to survive at all costs, the struggle of mortality, and even the meaning of life itself.
Similar themes arise in Yifeng’s ‘Big Bowl’ series. Again, indistinct human figures are seen, this time crowded into bowls hovering above concrete cityscapes or above the ocean, as terrifying beasts wait below to devour any who are so unfortunate as to fall. The human endeavour for survival always seems to come at the cost of another’s life – a comment, perhaps, on the battle of the individual cost of living in an uncaring world.
Now, Yifeng Tan spends his time travelling between China and Australia, finding that the frequent change in environment encourages him to express himself through his art. His movement fuels his curiosity and his incessant drive to seek out new ways to portray his insights into the human condition, to show through art the meaning of what it is to be human.
Yifeng Tan’s artworks are available to be purchased at E+Hive Gallery.
Previous show at E+Hive Gallery:
‘Direction | Group Exhibition’ 8 Mar 2018 to 9 Apr 2018
‘Alternative | Group Exhibition’ 9 Nov 2017 to 9 Jan 2018
‘Distance-Works On Paper’ 27 May 2017 to 17 Jun 2017
‘Conditions’ 5 Nov 2016 to 25 Nov 2016
Artworks | Silkscreen: (Click images to view details)
Artworks | Installation:
Artworks | Oil Paintings:
Education:
1993 Graduate Diploma of Art, Canberra School of Art, Institute of the Arts, ANU.
1991-92 Associate Diploma of Art, Canberra School of Art, Institute of the Arts, ANU.
1984-86 Associate Diploma of Art, Nanjing Teacher’s University. Currently lives and works in Canberra as a permanent resident.
Collections:
Beijing Songzhuang Art Gallery.
The Australia Prime Minister Hon Kevin Rudd MP.
The Australia Ambassador in Beijing Dr Geoff Raby.
Art Bank, Australia.
The Australian National University, Canberra.
National Recording Studio, Canberra.
Chun Sun Newspaper, Nanjing China.
Andrew Forrest Familiy Collection. Australia.
Janet Holmes a’ Court Familiy Collection.Australia.
Geoigina M. cainegie Familiy Collection. Australia.
Private Collections throughout Australia, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand , Paris. Singapore and USA.
Solo Exhibitions:
2012 “Eight Gods Cruise Sea”, Courtyard Gallery, Beijing, China.
2010 Yifeng Tan’s New Paintings，Jackman Gallery, Melbourne, Australia. Australia.
2010 Yifeng Tan’s New Paintings & Sculptures, Artimagrs Gallery, Adelaide, Australia.
2009 “Eight Gods Cruise sea”, Jackman Gallery, Melbourne, Australia.
2009 “Inspiration”, Solander Gallery, Canberra, Australia.
2009 “floating”Yifeng Tan’s solo show, Courtyard Gallery, Beijing, China.
2008 Yifeng Tan’s New Paintings, Paddington Contemporary, Sydney. Australia.
2007 “Apples Series”Shanghai Art Fair, Shanghai. China.
2007 Yifeng Tan’s New Paintings, Prints, Impression on Paper Gallery, Canberra.
2005 “China Landscape” Stephanie Buie Fine Art. Canberra. Australia.
2004 “Big Sky” Stephanie Burns Fine Art. Canberra. Australia.
2003 “New Directions” Contemporary Art Space, Canberra. Australia.
2003 Yifeng Tan’s painting, Stephanie Burns Fine Art, Canberra.Australia.
2003 “Fishermen” Span Gallery, Melbourne. Australia.
2002 Yifeng Tan’s painting, Michael Carr Art Dealer, Sydney. Australia.
2002 Collection Room, Stephanie Burns Fine Art, Canberra. Australia.
2001 Across the Fence, Canberra Museum and Gallery, Canberra. Australia.
2000 Across the Fence, Michael Carr Art Dealer, Sydney, Australia.
2000 “Football Field”, Tin Sheds Gallery, Sydney, Australia.
1999 Drawing and Painting, Spiral Arm Gallery, Canberra, Australia.
1999 “In and Out”, AAAA Gallery, Sydney, Australia.
1993 Chinese Brush Painting Exhibition in Graphix Brasserie, Canberra. Australia.
1989 “Yifeng Tan Solo Art Exhibition”, Nanjing, China.
1988 “Yifeng Tan Solo Art Exhibition”, Harbin, China.
Selected Group Exhibitions:
2013 “Baimiao Project” Baimiao Village. songzhuang. Beijing. China
“Not Strangers” Huandao Art Gallery. Songzhuang. Beijing. China
2012 “Now” Four dimension art space. Beijing. China.
2012 The First Contemporary Art “weibo” Exhibition. Songzhuang Art Gallery. Beijing. China
2010 “Crossover” International Contemporary Art, Sunshine International Art Museum, Beijing, China.
2010 “Comings and Goings” Chinalink Gallery, Sydney, Australia.
2009 “Coming Home” Lin Da Gallery, Beijing, China.
2009 “Important Australin artist show”, Solander Gallery,Canberra, Australia.
2008 “Southern Skies” Chinese Artists in Australia, Australia Embassy Beijing, China.
2008 Art Warehouse East district art, Songzhoang, Beijing, China.
2008 “From Mao To Now”. Newlington Art Gallery. Sydney. Australia.
2007 International Contemporary Art. Front Art Gallery. Beijing.China.
2007 “Living in Songzhuang”. Songzhuang Art Gallery. Beijing. China.
2007 “Songzhuang Contemporary” Art Traveing Exhibition. Huan Tie times Art. Beijing. Duolun Musenm of Modern Art. Shanghai. Eastern Modern Art Gallery. Jining. China. Art Gallery of Lu Xun Arts University. Shenyang.China.
2006 Sulman Art Prizes, NSW Art Gallery, Sydney, Australia.
2006 “Our Biennale” Michael Carr Art Dealer, Sydney. Australia.
2006 “Art On The Rocks”, Rockes, Sydney. Australia.
2004 “Two Artists Show” Bark Modern Art, Hong Kong.
2004 Sydney Affordable Art Show, Represented by Stephanie Burns Fine Art.
2004 Melbourne Affordable Art Show, Represented by Stephanie Burns Fine Art.
2003 “Paint A Brighter Future” Sotheby’s Australia, Sydney. Australia.
2003 Canberra Art Prize, Italo Australian Club, Canberra Australia.
2003 Individual Art Show, Sydney Affordable Art Show. Australia.
2002 ‘5 @ 5 Exhibition’, Metro 5 Gallery, Melbourne.Australia.
2002 “Unsaid” The Spiritual in Art, Stephanie Burns Fine Art, Canberra.Australia.
2002 Canberra Art Prize, Italo Australian Club, Canberra Australia.
2001 Exhibition 124A, Michael Carr Art Dealer, Sydney. Australia.
2001 Canberra Art Prize, Italo Australian Club, Canberra. Australia.
2000 The Hutchins Art Prize, The Hutchins School, Tasmania. Australia.
2000 The Real Thing at the Contemporary Art Space, Canberra. Australia.
2000 National Works on Paper, Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery, Victoria. Australia.
2000 The Hutchins Art Prize, The Hutchins School, Tasmania. Australia.
1993 Printmaking Art Exhibition at the MACHIDA CITY MUSEUM OF GRAPHIC ART, Tokyo.
1993 Graduate Exhibition, Canberra School of Art Gallery, ACT Australia.
1992 Graduate Exhibition, Drill Hall Gallery, ACT. Australia.
1992 “BITE”, Studio One Gallery, ACT. Australia.
1992 PRINT EXHIBITION, Foyer Gallery, Canberra School of Art. Australia.
1984 Printmaking Art Exhibition in Japan, an Exchange Event Organized through Tan Che Printmaking Association. Exhibition in the National Culture Palace, Beijing. Ciana.
1979 Exhibition in the Nanjing City Art Exhibition. (And 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988.)
Projects & Residencies:
2007-2008 Artist in Residence at Songzhoang, Beijing, China.
2006-2007 Artist in Residence at Megalo Printmaking Workshops, Canberra. Australia.
2004 Art Teacher at Brain Gym in Hawker College, Canberra College in Stirling Canberra. Australia.
2004 Art Teacher at Mawson Primary School in Mawson, Canberra. Australia.
1996-2002 Art Teacher at Chinese School in Dickson College, Canberra. Australia.
1994 Teaching Chinese Brush Painting at Studio One, Canberra. Australia.
1986-1989 Research & teaching at School of Fine Art in NanJing. Journey though Hu Nan, Hu Bei, Hei long Jiang, Jiang Shi, Shan Xi, Shan Dong, Mongolia, China.
1988 Artist in Residence at Culture of Railway Centre in Harbin, China.
1987 Visiting Artist at Culture of Folk Centre in Bei Jing and Culture of Railway Centre in Shang Hai, Hang Zhou,China.
Awards:
2003 The Winner of Canberra Art Prize, Oil Painting Award.
2001: Awarded Art ACT Grant, Canberra. 2000: Awarded Pat Corrigan Artist Grant, NSW, Australia.
1993: Emerging Artists Support Scheme, The National Recording Studio Group Award, Canberra. Scholarship, Canberra School of Art, ANU.
1992: Scholarship, Canberra School of Art, ANU. 1991: Scholarship, Canberra School of Art, ANU.
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