The professional and personal artwork of Space Penguin

Tan Hui Tian, or occasionally known as ‘Space Penguin’, began her career as a professional illustrator back in the 2010s. Armed with just a diploma in Visual Communication from Temasek Polytechnic, self-trained illustration skills, and plenty of gusto, she started her career as a game artist in PD Design Studio.

Later in 2015, Collateral Damage Studios (CDS), the Singapore art studio that she joined back when it was still an informal anime art circle among friends, invited her to join them as one of their pioneer senior lead artists. Within the team, Tan has worked on her diverse portfolio of projects ranging from book covers to storyboarding for an upcoming animated CM.

All the while, Tan has always continued to hone her illustration skills outside of work, producing an impressive body of personal artworks. The theme of her personal works is somewhat morbid and even macabre at times, creating an interesting contrast with the brighter, more cheerful artworks that was done as part of her professional work. When asked about the visuals of her personal works, she said,

“I quite like the Japanese aesthetic philosophy of wabi-sabi, and the perception of imperfections as beautiful. Taken to the extreme, something that disgusts us can simultaneously allure and fascinate us as well.”

Collateral Damage Studios and ARTBLOVK GALLERY are proud to present the art exhibition [Beyond the Pale: The Professional and Personal Works of Space Penguin], featuring a selection of artworks from Tan Hui Tian’s career in art. The exhibition will run from 21 April through to 05 May 2017 at 195 Pearl’s Hill Terrace, #03–05. Entry is free to all visitors.

Visitors to the brand-new gallery space in Pearl’s Hill Terrace can view Tan’s body of works detailing Tan’s career within CDS alongside selected personal pieces, including an exclusive artwork made for the exhibition. Tan will also be present on weekdays at selected timings to share her creative process with visitors.

Selected prints will be made available for sale with certificates of authenticity from the gallery and the artist.

Now that we’ve got that PR stuff out of the way, here’s the rest of our blog post.

CDS has moved!

Yes, we do have an actual art studio based locally in Singapore and after months of looking around, it ended with an impulsive decision. Pearl’s Hill Terrace was a heritage building. With old-school colonial charm and creative vibes, it was a shoo-in for the ‘where-we-want-to-work’ award.

Then the Pearl’s Hill Terrace landlord came in and gave us a little push. Before you know it, the decision was made. We are moving to Chinatown.

Together with the Artblovk Gallery, CDS now resides at one of the top units in this old building. Sure, some parts are rather crumbly, but we’ll get used to it.

Since we are sharing space with Artblovk, it makes sense that for their first gallery showcase, they do one of our own.

Artblovk conducted an interview with Space Penguin as part of their inaugural V Questions. Here is our favorite answer but be sure to read the full interview on their Facebook page!

Art-making is such a solipsistic endeavour in itself, that having peers to advice or encourage you is invaluable. Sometimes, you get breaks because someone you know knows someone, and it becomes a virtuous cycle.
— Space Penguin

Be sure to visit the Artblovk gallery and view all the new artworks by Space Penguin that will be on display!