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BIO

Yeo Shih Yun: A Visionary in Contemporary Ink

Yeo Shih Yun (b. 1976, Singapore) stands as a distinctive voice in contemporary art, celebrated for her innovative and deeply experimental approach to ink painting. For over two decades, she has dedicated her practice to exploring the rich traditions of ink while fearlessly pushing its boundaries, forging a unique path that resonates both in Singapore and on the international stage.  

At the heart of Shih Yun’s work is a dynamic interplay between ancient techniques and contemporary sensibilities. She masterfully fuses the expressive depth of traditional ink with an array of modern mediums, including new media and performance art, resulting in works that are both energetic and thought-provoking. Her process is one of constant exploration, often incorporating unconventional tools like remote-control cars and toy robots, and engaging in collaborations with organic elements such as trees. This playful yet rigorous methodology allows her to challenge conventional notions of the ink medium, creating art that is spontaneous, energetic, and imbued with a sense of discovery.  

Shih Yun’s contributions have been widely recognized through significant commissions from prestigious institutions, including the Singapore Art Museum (2011) and the National Gallery Singapore for "My Ink-credible Adventure" (2020-2021). Her solo exhibition "Chance Encounters" at the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay (2021) further showcased her evolving practice. Her work has earned accolades such as the Sovereign Asian Art Prize People’s Choice Award in 2012 and distinctions in the UOB Painting of the Year Competition (1999 and 2007). She has exhibited extensively in key art centers including Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei, Shanghai, Tokyo, and New York, demonstrating a consistent and growing international presence.  

Beyond her personal artistic endeavors, Shih Yun is the founder and driving force behind INSTINC, an independent artist-run art space established in Singapore in 2004. For nearly two decades, INSTINC has been a vital hub for contemporary art, fostering collaborations, supporting artistic experimentation, and cultivating regional and international networks through its esteemed Artist-in-Residence program since 2009 till now. This commitment to community and artistic exchange underscores her holistic vision for the arts.  

In 2017, Shih Yun published her monograph, "INKPULSE: The art of Yeo Shih Yun," a comprehensive volume that chronicles her artistic journey and features insights from respected curators and art professionals. This publication, along with her participation in innovative projects like the Tezos NFT exhibition at Art Basel Hong Kong 2022 , highlights her engagement with the evolving landscape of contemporary art.  

Inspired by life, nature, technology, and the dialogue that emerges from collaboration, Yeo Shih Yun continues to explore the endless possibilities of ink. Her work is a testament to a deep respect for tradition, coupled with an unwavering commitment to innovation, making her a significant and compelling figure in the contemporary art world.  


姚诗韵Yeo Shih Yun（1976年出生于新加坡) 是当代艺术领域中独树一帜且享誉国际的代表人物，以其在水墨画方面的创新和深度实验而备受赞誉。 在获得新加坡国立大学商业管理学士学位（1998年）后，她开始追随自己对艺术的热情，先于2001年获得拉萨尔艺术学院传播设计文凭，并在次年完成旧金山艺术学院绘画专业学士后课程。 二十多年来，她致力于探索水墨的丰富传统，同时无畏地拓展其边界，开辟了一条在新加坡乃至国际舞台上均能引起共鸣的独特道路。  

诗韵作品的核心在于古老技法与当代情感之间的动态互动。她巧妙地将传统水墨的表达深度与一系列现代媒介相融合，其中包括新媒体和行为艺术，从而创作出既充满活力又引人深思的作品。 她的创作过程是不断探索的记录，经常采用遥控汽车和玩具机器人等非传统工具，并与树木等有机元素进行合作。 这种充满趣味同时严谨的方法使她能够挑战水墨媒介的传统观念，创作出具有自发性、富有活力且充满探索性的艺术作品。  

诗韵对艺术界的贡献已获得广泛认可，曾受新加坡美术馆（《与树对话》2011年）和新加坡国家美术馆（《My Ink-credible Adventure》2020-2021年）在内等著名机构进行委托创作。 她在滨海艺术中心举办的个展《Chance Encounters》（2021年）更是展示了她持续创新的艺术实践。 她的作品也赢得诸多赞誉，其作品《与树对话》（由佳士得亚洲拍卖）在2012年获得了Sovereign亚洲卓越艺术奖中的人民选择奖，并分别于1999年和2007年两次获得新加坡大华银行年度绘画比赛抽象类别杰出奖。 她的作品在新加坡、香港、台北、上海、东京和纽约等重要艺术据点陆续展出，进一步巩固其国际影响力。  

除了个人艺术创作外，诗韵同时也是INSTINC的创始人兼执行总监。INSTINC是于2004年在新加坡成立的独立艺术空间。 近二十年来，INSTINC通过其备受赞誉的艺术家驻留项目（2009年-）促进合作、支持艺术实验、培养人际脉络，在该地艺术生态中占有一席之地，同时突显诗韵对艺术生态的整体愿景，及其重要领导地位。  

2017年，诗韵出版了她的首本专著《INKPULSE墨契》。这本内容全面记录了她的艺术历程，并收录包括画廊经营者、策展人和收藏家在内各位业内专业人士的深刻见解。 她对当代艺术发展的积极创新，也体现在她参与的合作项目中，例如2022年香港巴塞尔艺术展的Tezos NFT展览。 

 受到生活、自然、科技以及合作间对话的启发，姚诗韵 Yeo Shih Yun 重新诠释了水墨的无限可能性。 她的作品不但证明了她对传统的深刻尊重，也表达着对创新坚定不移的奉献精神，是当代艺术界引人注目且不可或缺的一位艺术家。 

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