Zheng Xupeng

 

 

Born  21 October 1983, Singapore

 

 

Zheng Xupeng is fascinated with the human body. His art is a means to dissect and demystify this entity subject to so much scrutiny and comment. In particular, Zheng is interested in the skin, the outermost layer that bears the brunt of viewership.

 

Almost like a scientific experiment, each subject is meticulously hand painted, then carefully placed on stands and clinically laid out like test objects awaiting analysis. Zheng uses both natural and synthetic media seamlessly, such as the combination of carrot and human hair with rubber cement, acrylic and synthetic fluid in his installation piece, ForeverFriend.

 

This ironic combination of the artificial and natural is accentuated by the use of epoxy resin. A signature medium, the resin is used to separate and enhance individual layers of hue in the piece. The final work is poured over with a high gloss finish, resulting in a richly polished epidermis.

 

As a graduating student, Zheng clinched the prestigious Della Butcher 2004 Award with his painting-installation titled Amorphous Array. Subsequently, he was awarded Best Graduate (Fine Art) of the year from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), where he obtained a Diploma in Fine Art (Distinction), while studying under the coveted Georgette Chen Arts Scholarship.

 

“Like the layered paint I use, my works are multidimensional with several levels of meaning. The layers complement each other, playfully triggering and driving the viewer’s perception.”

 

 

 

 

 

EDUCATION

 

2004                                                                 Diploma in Fine Art (Distinction)

Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore

 

2003                                                                 Minor Studies (Chinese Ink Painting)

Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore

 

 

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

 

2005                                                                  New Finds 2005

Gajah Gallery, Singapore

MICA Building

 

T!ssue

Gajah Gallery, Singapore

MICA Building

 

Chope-A-Seat!

                                                                        Utterly Art, Singapore

 

Public Art Library

                                                                        Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore

Singapore Art Museum

 

School of Visual Arts Award-Winning Works Exhibition 2001-05

                                                                        Gallery 1 & 2

                                                                        Nanyang Academy of Fine Art, Singapore

 

The Fight of Black & Red:

Gong Xi Fa Cai Art Exhibition

                                                                        Instinc Art Gallery, Singapore

 

2004                                                                 This is ours…

School of Visual Arts Graduation Show

Fine Art Department

Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore

                                   

                                                                        Della Butcher Award exhibition

Oei Tiong Ham Building,

Singapore Management University

 

NAFA New Campus Open House Exhibition

Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts,

Skylight Studio, Singapore

 

2003                                                                 Interlude

                                                                        Millenia Walk, Singapore

 

8 pieces of…

Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts,

Middle Gallery, Singapore

 

More & Less

A Fund Raising Exhibition for the new campus

Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore

 

2002                                                                 NAFA Open House Exhibition

Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts,

Selegie Gallery, Singapore

 

2000                                                                 Millennium Art Project Display

                                                                        MOE new building,

                                                                        represented Chung Cheng High School (Branch)               

                                                   

 

 

AWARDS

 

8 April 2005                                                      Commendation Award

                                                                        67th NAFA Founder’s Day

                                                                        Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore

 

24 July 2004                                                      Best Graduate Award

                                                                        School of Visual Arts Diploma in Fine Art

                                                                        Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore

 

15 May 2004                                                     Winner

The Della Butcher Award 2004

                                                                        Sinagpore Rotary Club

Singapore Management University,

Oei Tiong Ham Building Foyer, Singapore

 

20 August 2003                                                 Georgette Chen Arts Scholarship

National Art Council,

Ngee Ann Auditorium, Asian Civilisations Museum, Singapore                                                                         

 

 

 

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY/MENTIONED

 

11 Apr 2005                                                      Hong Sek Chern

                                                                        “Interview with Sek-Chern Hong”

                                                                        http://www.post.fm/features/0405/sekChern.htm

 

26 Feb 2005                                                      Wu Qi Ji (Arts Reporter)

                                                                        “Dui Chuan Tong De Zhun Zhong He Fan Pan”,

                                                                        (Painting “Cock-a-doodle-doo” reproduced),

                                                                        zbNOW, Lianhe Zao Bao,

Singapore Press Holdings, pg. 5

 

04 Aug 2004                                                     Michael Lee Hong Hwee

“Skin-inspired art clinches Della Butcher Award for Fine Art student”,

                                                                        nafacts issue 35, Nanyang Academy of Fine Art Singapore, pg. 7

 

24 July 2004                                                      Speech by Dr Lee Boon Yang

                                                                        Minister for Information, Communications & Arts

                                                                        “Press Release, Convocation 2004”

                                                                        http://www.mita.gov.sg/pressroom/press_0407242.html

 

19 May 2004                                                     Clara Chow (Arts Reporter)

“Body parts bag award”,

 (Work “Amorphous Array” reproduced),

Life! The Straits Times, Singapore Press Holdings, pg. 6

 

22 May 2003                                                     Junction 8 Pet food Festival

                                                                        “Qing Chong Wu Shang Ka Fei Zuo Chi Da Can”

(Sculpture “Surprise!” reproduced)

zbNOW, Lianhe Zao Bao,

Singapore Press Holdings, pg.12

 

26 July 2002                                                      Zhong Yan Ling (Reporter)

An Interview on Channel U production, “Tonight I Will Tell- The case on Anthony Ler”

E@news, Lianhe Zao Bao, Singapore Press Holdings, pg. 6