Like Dorothy who pines for a place other than Kansas, Somewhere Over the Rainbow was one of Yen’s favourite songs while growing up for its intrinsic innocence and sense of wonderment. Bursting with hope, this song resonates with her belief in the fundamental good found in every human being. If only this potential was realised and extended to others, to nature and the creatures that share this planet, the world could be a better place according toYen, one that could be found over the rainbow.

The Arctic Fox, 2015 (Acrylic & charcoal on stretched canvas, 92x92cm)
The Arctic Fox, 2015 (Acrylic & charcoal on stretched canvas, 92x92cm)

 

The Manatee, 2015 (Acrylic & charcoal on stretched canvas, 92x92cm)
The Manatee, 2015 (Acrylic & charcoal on stretched canvas, 92x92cm)

 

The Orangutan, 2015 -(Acrylic & charcoal on stretched canvas, 92x92cm)
The Orangutan, 2015 -(Acrylic & charcoal on stretched canvas, 92x92cm)

Deeply passionate about animals, Yen once considered a career as an animal activist. Her decision to become a full time artist has not diminished her zeal. This new series of paintings of highly endangered animals follows from her earlier series in 1998 where she painted Endangered Elephant. While her subject has not changed, her style has clearly evolved. The plight of the animals may be dire but the bold and cheerful choice of colours infuses each painting with a zest for life that is almost childlike and defiant in the face of the multitude of challenges facing these animals. Yenhopes that this exhibition will raise awareness and inspire the viewer to consider this pertinent issue that concerns all of us.

Date: Thursday, 12 November 2015
Time: 7pm
Venue: B.NU Space
333 Kreta Ayer #02-34
Singapore 080333

Email: [email protected]

The exhibition runs till 22 November.
Closed on Monday.
Weekdays: 12pm – 6pm
Weekends: 12pm – 7pm

About the Artist
Yen Chua is an award-winning artist, art therapist and educator. For the past two decades, she has held many solo and group exhibitions. Yen works predominantly with acrylic and charcoal. Her mixed media artworks are a vivid portrayal of the surreal, mythical and magical realm. Yen has a BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute, Diploma in (Chinese Painting) from Beijing Central Academy of Fine Arts, MA (Research) from the National Institute of Education, MA (Art Therapy) from LASALLE College of the Arts. Apart from making art, Yen also conducts art and art therapy workshops and also lectures on art and art therapy. Some of the institutions she has taught at are the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Temasek Polytechnic and LASALLE College of the Arts.