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)
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
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