Tay Boon Pin | 郑文彬


1936 - 2020









Tay Boon Pin (b. 1936) is a prominent Singaporean artist known for his mastery in watercolors, particularly his landscape and figurative paintings that capture the essence of Singapore’s natural and urban environments. Trained at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Tay developed a delicate yet expressive style, combining traditional techniques with a modern sensibility. His works often depict serene scenes of kampongs, rivers, and everyday life, rendered with subtle tones, intricate detail, and a lyrical quality that evokes nostalgia and reflection. Over the decades, Tay has exhibited widely both in Singapore and abroad, earning recognition for his ability to preserve local heritage through his art. In addition to his personal practice, he has contributed to the Singapore art community as an educator and mentor, influencing younger generations of artists and fostering appreciation for watercolor as a medium.






Timeline






1936                                Born in Indonesia

1956                                Graduated from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (南洋美术专科学校)

1956 - 1970                      Researched & studied painting techniques with the Equator Art
                                       Society and held several exhibition with other local artists

1958 - 1975                      Worked as an illustrator for children’s literature and as a Creative Designer for international publishers

1976 - 1999                      Worked as an Art Teacher, Art Director, and Creative Director

1983                                Joint exhibition with Tan Chin Soon in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

 2011                                Solo Exhibition at Echo Art Gallery in Singapore

2013                                Solo Exhibition at Hai Hui Art Gallery, Singapore

2014                                Equator - Selected Paintings from 50s - 70s’ s Art Exhibition at Hai Hui Gallery

2015                                Solo Exhibition at Hai Hui Art Gallery in Singapore






Selected Work









Singapore River ( 新加坡河 )
1979
Oil Painting
46 cm x 61 cm


Singapore River ( 新加坡河 )
1979
Oil Painting
46 cm x 61 cm


Singapore River ( 新加坡河 )
1980
Oil Painting
46 cm x 61 cm


Street View (街边)
1979
Oil Painting
45 cm x 60 cm







Singapore River ( 新加坡河 )
1980
Oil Painting
50 cm x 71 cm


Singapore River ( 新加坡河 )
1979
Oil Painting


Cheong Hong Lim Street 
( 章芳林街 )
1981
Oil Painting
44 cm x 59 cm


Singapore River ( 新加坡河 )
1980
Oil Painting
45.5 cm x 61 cm






Singapore River ( 新加坡河 )
1978
Oil Painting
52 cm x 61 cm 


Singapore River ( 新加坡河 )
1977
Oil Painting
52 cm x 61 cm


Singapore River ( 新加坡河 )
1971
Oil Painting
45.5 cm x 66 cm


Clarke Quay ( 克拉码头 )
1979
Oil Painting
46 cm x 61 cm







Cheong Hong Lim Street 
( 章芳林街 )
1981
Oil Painting
44 cm x 59 cm


Bali Ricefield ( 巴厘稻田 )
1976
Oil Painting
46 cm x 60 cm


Bali Ricefield ( 巴厘稻田 )
1979
Oil Painting
46 cm x 60 cm


Singapore River ( 新加坡河 )
1982
Oil Painting
45 cm x 60 cm







Java, Indonesia 
(爪哇，印度尼西亚)
1985
Oil Painting
62 cm x 91 cm




Singapore River
 ( 新加坡河 )
1975
Oil Painting
40.5 cm x 30 cm
Bali Harvest 
( 巴厘收割 )
2005
Oil Painting
51 cm x 41cm


Back Alley ( 后巷 )
1984
Oil Painting
65 cm x 45.5 cm






Singapore River
 ( 新加坡河 )
1979
Oil Painting
40.5 cm x 30 cm


Chinatown 
( 牛车水 )
1975
Oil Painting
66 cm x 54 cm


Chinatown 
( 牛车水 )
1983
Oil Painting
69 cm x 60 cm


Back Alley 
( 后巷 )
1984
Oil Painting
65 cm x 45.5 cm





Street View ( 街景 )
1984
Oil Painting
61 cm x 48 cm
Singapore River 
( 新加坡河 )
1979
Oil Painting
60 cm x 50 cm
Portrait (人像)
1962
Charcoal Pencil
33 cm x 25 cm 
Portrait (人像)
1962
Charcoal Pencil
33 cm x 25 cm 





Portrait (人像)
1967
Charcoal Pencil
49 cm x 32 cm 
Portrait (半身人像)
1965
Charcoal Pencil
48 cm x 32 cm 
Portrait (人像)
1974
Charcoal Pencil
49 cm x 32 cm 
Portrait (人像)
1969
Charcoal Pencil
49 cm x 32 cm 







Portrait (全身像)
1969
Charcoal Pencil
49 cm x 32 cm 
Portrait (人像)
1963
Charcoal Pencil
49 cm x 32 cm 
Portrait (人像)
1962
Charcoal Pencil
49 cm x 32 cm 
Portrait (全身像)
1964
Charcoal Pencil
49 cm x 32 cm 







Portrait (人像)
1963
Charcoal Pencil
49 cm x 32 cm 
Portrait (全身像)
1969
Charcoal Pencil
49 cm x 32 cm 
Portrait (半身像)
1962
Charcoal Pencil
49 cm x 32 cm 
Portrait (人像)
1970
Charcoal Pencil
49 cm x 32 cm 







Portrait (人像)
1965
Charcoal Pencil
49 cm x 32 cm 
Portrait (人像)
1963
Charcoal Pencil
49 cm x 32 cm 
Portrait (人像)
1963
Charcoal Pencil
49 cm x 32 cm 
Portrait (全身像)
Charcoal Pencil
49 cm x 32 cm 















Exhibition











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Singapore 179083