About Alvin

Alvin Tan began his art education in 1997 at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore. In 2003, he embarked on a scholarship journey to Australia where he pursued his higher education in the art of ceramic at the Chisholm Institution and the National Arts School. Upon his graduation with Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts with Distinction, he completed his postgraduate Masters of Visual Arts programme at the Australian National University in 2011.

As a practising artist, Alvin Tan produces ceramic art that interprets the existential discourse of current age. He had exhibited widely at local and overseas shows and institutions like Australian Institute of Architects, Canberra School of Arts, NAFA Gallery, Ngee Ann Kongsi are amongst his collectors.

"I am fascinated by the current socio-cultural phenomenon around us, and as a ceramic artist, I use clay to capture trending topics and sculpt it into concepts. Depending on the concept I wish to convey, clay is used as a versatile medium to highlight the elements of the socio-cultural concept

My style tends to challenge the conventional belief of traditional ceramics that one would imagine – pots or vessels that are usually brown coloured. I love colours, and you will tend to see many works thickly glazed with diverse surfaces and textures, usually form a colour palette and ornately decorated. Like many countless artists today, I hope to shift the perception of ceramics, whether it is taking the shape of a functional vessel or an explosive sculpture, this art form should receive its due respect and recognition especially in Singapore where there is a vibrant community."