Artist Biography
Yap Chee Keng was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He earned an Associate Degree in Interior Architecture and a Diploma in Visual Arts from New Era College, Malaysia, in 2010 and 2013, respectively. In 2016, he moved to Taiwan to continue his studies, where he completed a Bachelor's degree at Tunghai University and, in 2020, a Master's degree from the Fine Arts Department of the National Taipei University of the Arts.
Yap’s artistic practice is deeply rooted in his exploration of lines and colors, often using a carpenter's ink marker as his primary tool. This choice of medium connects both to his childhood experiences and his background in interior architecture. The lines he creates are not merely marks on a canvas but represent a continuous narrative of his life. They overlap and stretch endlessly, symbolizing the passage of time and the labor of creation. The density and arrangement of these lines vary, from tightly packed to loosely distributed, reflecting different facets of life and the effort embedded within each artwork. Through his use of vibrant, culturally significant colors, Yap strives to create a dynamic and multi-layered space, one that offers a reflection of both personal experience and broader cultural themes.
During his time in Taiwan, Yap held several solo exhibitions at prestigious venues, including Hsinchu wòwò Aesthetics, the Taipei King Car Art Center, and the New Taipei City Arts and Culture Center. He has also participated in numerous group exhibitions, establishing himself as a key figure in Taiwan’s contemporary art scene.
Yap’s work has received numerous accolades, including the 2022 Malaysia Young Contemporaries / Bakat Muda Sezaman (Jury Award), the 2021 Next Art Tainan Award, and the 2020 Nanying Award (Western Media: Excellent Works). He was also awarded the Silver Medal in the Oil Painting category at the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts’ National Art Exhibition, and the “Outstanding Art Prize of the School of Fine Arts 2020” from the National Taipei University of the Arts, among other prestigious honors.
Yap Chee Keng’s art is not only a personal expression but also a broader reflection on time, space, labor, and culture. His work invites viewers to engage with the complexities of life, offering a multi-dimensional visual experience that transcends simple representation, making him a notable figure in contemporary art.