top of page

Profile

Tan-Sei-Hon-Portrait-Square-2.jpg

Photo courtesy of Yap Wai Leong

 

Tan Sei Hon (b.1975) has curated for the National Art Gallery, Tourism Malaysia, RHB Bank, Maybank, Soka Gakkai and a number of private galleries in the Klang Valley. Notable exhibitions include the retrospective for Malaya's First National Painter and founder of batik as fine art, Datuk Chuah Thean Teng@Teng (2008), the design section of Malaysia's Seniman Negara (National Art Laureate) Datuk Syed Ahmad Jamal’s retrospective (2009). He was the guest curator for Malaysia’s Tokoh Cetakan Long Thien Shih's survey exhibition 'Man of the Times' (2014) and the celebrated painter of Peranakan-themed subject matter, Sylvia Lee Goh's 'Then And Now:The Enduring Heart' (2015). He also curated Sasterwan Negara (National Laureate) A. Samad Said’s solo exhibition ‘Black and Red: The Art of Pak Samad’ for a private gallery in 2015. 

Sei Hon has curated more than 40 exhibitions (group and solo) and has contributed writings to PETRONAS Gallery (New Objections), the Museum of Arts and Crafts Zagreb (Syed Ahmad Jamal-Guru of Colour) and Bank Negara Malaysia’s Museum and Art Gallery (The Unreal Deal-Six Decades of Malaysian Abstract Art). 
 


C.V

 Education 

2001

Bachelor of Applied and Creative Arts

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)

 

 Grants / Awards / Appointments 

 

2024/25

2009

2007

2005

 

Malaysian Bar Council Art and Law Committee

‘Anugerah Khidmat Cemerlang’ (Outstanding Service Awards)

Ministry of Information, Communications and Culture

‘Skim Latihan Penggiat Seni’ for the project ‘Using Art as Therapy'

Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage

Grant recipient for the project ‘ K.L Sing-Song 2005’

Art’s Network Asia (ANA)

 Employment 

 

2022-Present

 

Dasein Academy of Art

Full time lecturer & curator

Part-Time Lecturer (2011-2022)

  • Malaysian Art History

  • General / Western Art History

  • Organize, manage and curate exhibitions

 

2017-2023

 

Balai Seni Menara Maybank

Guest curator and consultant

2014-2022

Malaysian Institute of Art (MIA)

Part-time lecturer, Fine Art Dept

 

 

2012-2013

  • Lectures on Malaysian art and general western art history

  • Weekly lessons, exam questions and marking

  • Visits to galleries and museums

Galeri Petronas (GP)

Executive, PETRONAS Art Collection (PAC)

  • Manage the PAC

  • Speeches, forewords etc

 

2007-2012

 

Balai Seni Negara (National Art Gallery)

Curator

 

 Selected Curatorial Work 

 

2024

LIFE, ART AND WRITINGS

Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM) ,  Wisma Kebudayaan SGM. K.Lumpur

d’ Gallery, Dasein Academy of Art. K. Lumpur

New Perspectives

d’ Gallery, Dasein Academy of Art. K. Lumpur

d’ Gallery, Dasein Academy of Art. K. Lumpur

The Graphic Art of Felipe Taborda

d’ Gallery, Dasein Academy of Art. K. Lumpur

d’ Gallery, Dasein Academy of Art. K. Lumpur

 

2023

A look at the ideas behind selected works from the ‘Fire That Burns Again: A Ceramic Exploration by Kim Ng

d’ Gallery, Dasein Academy of Art. K. Lumpur

d’ Gallery, Dasein Academy of Art. K. Lumpur

d’ Gallery, Dasein Academy of Art. K. Lumpur

d’ Gallery, Dasein Academy of Art. K. Lumpur

Balai Seni Maybank, Menara Maybank K. Lumpur

The Calligraphic Expressions of Ong Chia Koon

d’ Gallery, Dasein Academy of Art. K. Lumpur

A Journey Within

d’ Gallery, Dasein Academy of Art. K. Lumpur

A Celebration of the Good Life

Balai Seni Maybank, Menara Maybank K.Lumpur

 

2022

 

HARI HARI MALAYSIA

A Collection of Wordless Comics celebrating Merdeka and Nationhood

Balai Seni Maybank, Menara Maybank, K.Lumpur

 

2021

A My TIGER Values Tribute to Merdeka and Malaysia

Balai Seni Maybank, Menara Maybank, K.Lumpur

 

2020

5th Solo Exhibition by Mohd Yusoff Osman

Wisma Kebudayaan Soka Gakkai Malaysia, K.Lumpur

A Tribute to Merdeka and Malaysia

Balai Seni Maybank, Menara Maybank, K.Lumpur

An Exposition of Non-Figurative Art

Balai Seni Maybank, Menara Maybank, K.Lumpur

 

2019

Balai Seni Maybank, Menara Maybank, K.Lumpur

Balai Seni Maybank, Menara Maybank, K.Lumpur

Balai Seni Maybank, Menara Maybank, K.Lumpur

Balai Seni Maybank, Menara Maybank, K.Lumpur

Balai Seni Maybank, Menara Maybank, K.Lumpur

 

2018

Balai Seni Maybank, Menara Maybank, K.Lumpur

THE WORKS OF VONG NYAM CHEE

Blue Space, National Art Gallery, K.Lumpur

Balai Seni Maybank, Menara Maybank, K.Lumpur

Balai Seni Maybank, Menara Maybank, K.Lumpur

 

2017

Balai Seni Maybank, Menara Maybank, K.Lumpur

Third Solo Exhibition by Marisa Ridzuan Ng

Creative Space 1, Balai Seni Negara (NAG) , K. Lumpur

Creative Space 1, National Art Gallery, K.Lumpur

Balai Seni Maybank, Menara Maybank, K.Lumpur

Selected works 1997 - 2017

Creative Space 3, Balai Seni Negara (NAG), K.Lumpur

RHB Bank HQ, K.Lumpur

 

2016

A Solo Exhibition by Cheong Tuck Wai

HOM Art Trans, K.Lumpur

A showcase of Naive Style, Self Taught and Outsider Art Malaysia

Galeri Shah Alam

Creative Center, Balai Seni Negara, K.Lumpur

HOM Art Trans, K.Lumpur

 

2015

A group exhibition featuring 15 self-taught artists

City Gallery, K.Lumpur

Xin Art Space, K.Lumpur

Xin Art Space, K.Lumpur

Balai Seni Negara (NAG), K.Lumpur

Xin Art Space, K.Lumpur

Joint charity exhibition organized by Xin Art Space and Art Expo Malaysia

Xin Art Space, K.Lumpur

A Celebration of Malaysian Outsider, Naive and Self-Taught Art

 

2014

Xin Art Space, K.Lumpur

Sepanjang Zaman / Man Of The Times

Balai Seni Negara (NAG), K.Lumpur

Solo Exhibition by Kim Ng

Wei-Ling Gallery, K. Lumpur

A mini exhibition in conjunction with the Yayasan Sime Darby Arts Festival at KLPAC

Xin Art Space, K.Lumpur

An exhibition of works by Angeloh Guik Choo and Chekri Mansor

City Gallery, K.Lumpur

 

 As Curator of the Balai Seni Negara (NAG) 

 

2012

An exhibition showcasing the works of active members of the NVAG

Balai Seni Negara (NAG), K.Lumpur

 

2011

An exhibition of selected works from the National Collection in conjunction with the celebration of Labor Day

Balai Seni Negara (NAG), K.Lumpur

 

2010

A showcase of works by self-taught artists and outsiders

Balai Seni Negara (NAG), K.Lumpur

Design section of SAJ’s retrospective exhibition

 

2009

Balai Seni Negara (NAG), K.Lumpur

An exhibition of Informal art, Naïve Style and Beyond

 

2008

Balai Seni Negara (NAG), K.Lumpur

An overview exhibition of the ‘Father of Modern Batik Art’

*Co-curated with Ms. Lim Ai Woei

Balai Seni Negara (NAG), K.Lumpur

 

 Selected Writings (2003 - Present) 

 

2024

Curator's essay

A Retrospective: Chew Teng Beng — Life, Art and Writings

Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM), Wisma Kebudayaan SGM. KL

 

2023

 

MY MALAYSIA: A SPECIAL KIND OF WONDERFUL

Curator's essay

Balai Seni Menara Maybank

Guest writer

 

2021

SENIKINI

Guest writer

SENIKINI

 

DENGAN KASIH DAN HARAPAN

Curator's note

Dengan Kasih dan Harapan: A MyTIGER Values Tribute to Merdeka and Malaysia Day 2021

Balai Seni Menara Maybank

 

2020

Guest writer

SENIKINI

Guest writer

HOM Art Trans

 

SAYANG MENYAYANG: A Tribute to Merdeka and Malaysia.

Curator's essay

Balai Seni Menara Maybank, Maybank KL

Curator's essay

 

2019

Wisma Kebudayaan Soka Gakkai Malaysia, KL

 

PAINTING BATIK: AN EXHIBITION AND TRIBUTE

Curator's essay

Balai Seni Menara Maybank, Maybank KL

Curator's essay

Balai Seni Menara Maybank, Maybank KL

 

THE JOYS OF MELUKIS

Curator's essay

MELUKIS

Balai Seni Menara Maybank, Maybank KL

 

CURATOR’S NOTE

Curator's essay

MerdekaMalaysiaMillennial

Balai Seni Menara Maybank, Maybank KL

 

2018

Guest writer

Hidden Beyond Yesterday: Azam Aris-10 Years & Now

Hom Art Trans

Guest writer

PURE Painting: An Exposition of Non-Figurative Art

Balai Seni Menara Maybank KL

 

LIVING TOGETHER AT 55: MALAYSIA AT A CROSSROADS

Curator's essay

Hidup Bersama: Malaysia@55

Balai Seni Menara Maybank KL

 

CURATOR’S NOTES

Curator's essay

RRRWARRR!!! Maybank’s Emerging Women Artists Show 2018

Balai Seni Menara Maybank KL

 

2017

Curator's essay

Art with a Heart: Act of Kindness

RHB Bank HQ. Jalan Tun Razak KL

Guest writer

‘Gan Siong King: Meeting People is Easy’ An Open Studio project

Artist's studio KL

 

MEDITATIONS ON THE HUMAN CONDITION-THE SCULPTURES OF CHIN WAN KEE

Curator's essay

Sculpturing is Meditative by Chin Wan Kee: Selected Works 1997-2017

Creative Space 3, Balai Seni Negara (NAG), KL

Guest writer

The Unreal Deal: Six Decades of Malaysian Abstract Art

Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery, KL

 

BADRUDDIN’S EMANSIPASI - Continuing the struggles of the Modern Artists of the Merdeka
Generation.

Curator's essay

Balai Seni Maybank, Maybank HQ, KL

Curator's essay

Creative Space 1, Balai Seni Negara (NAG), KL

 

SMALL WORKS, BIG STATEMENT: 4TH SOLO EXHIBITION BY HAMIR SOIB

Guest writer

Small Work by Hamir Soib

Segaris Art Center, KL

Guest writer

‘Young Guns 2016’ Triennial Award and travelling exhibition

Segaris Art Center, KL

 

2016

 

IMAGES OF MALAYSIAN LIFE MADE FROM THE HEART

Guest writer

Art with a Heart: Images of Life exhibition by RHB Bank

National Visual Arts Gallery, KL

Curator's essay

‘IMPERIUM: A Solo Exhibition by Shafiq Nordin

HOM Art Trans, KL

 

THE LINGERING PRESENCE OF HOME

Curator's essay

Linger: A Solo Exhibition by Cheong Tuck Wai

HOM Art Trans, KL

 

MOHD. YUSOFF OSMAN: THE ARTIST BEHIND THE VOLKSWAGEN

Guest writer

Alamiah 2: Homage to Nature- A Solo by Yusoff Osman

Published by ITB (2016) in conjunction with theexhibition at The Penang State Gallery.

 

2015

Guest writer

Singular Rhapsody: A Celebration of Self Taught, Naive and Outsider Art

Xin Art Space, KL

Proposal writer

Proposal for the National Visual Arts Gallery

Commissioned by the Research and Development Department of the NVAG.

Curator's essay

Xin Art Space, KL

Curator's essay

SYLVIA LEE GOH Then and Now: The Enduring Heart

Balai Seni Negara (NAG), KL

 

IS ‘WORK’ REALLY A FOUR-LETTER WORD?

Curator's essay

Peasants and Proletariats: A Print Art Exhibition Tribute to Workers

Xin Art Space, KL

 

SHADES OF BLACK AND RED: The Art of Pak Samad

Curator's essay

Xin Art Space, KL

 

THOUGHTS FROM THE (P) RESIDEN: THE ISSUE BASED ART OF FADHLI ARIFFIN

Guest writer

 

2014

HOM Art Trans, KL

Guest writer

Malaysian Emerging Artist Winners Showcase 2013/2014

Published by Galeri Chandan and Hom Art Trans, KL

Curator's essay

Long Thien Shih Man of the Times

Published by Galeri Chandan and Hom Art Trans, KL

Guest writer

Syed Ahmad Jamal Guru of Color: Pelukis

Zagreb, Croatia

 

GAME ON

Guest writer

RA Fine Art, Publika, KL

 

2013

 

D IS FOR DONALD

Guest writer

Unpublished

 

2012

Guest writer

Art Malaysia #20

Guest writer

SENIKINI #17

 

TERIMA KASIH DAUN KELADI - NURIMAN AMRI

Guest writer

SENIKINI #17

 

MALAYSIAN EMERGING ARTIST (MEA) - An Introduction 

Guest writer

SENIKINI #17

 

CHARLES CHAM: THE MAN BEHIND THE PAINTED FACES

Guest writer

SENIKINI #17

 

UNITY IN FUSION

Guest writer

The 3rd annual exhibition of the members of Malaysian Artists Society

University of Malaya Art Gallery, KL

 

THE FANTASTICAL AND PRIMORDIAL WORKS OF CHANG YOONG CHIA

Guest writer

SENIKINI #16

 

AMRON OMAR: PERTARUNGAN

Guest writer

Art Malaysia #18

Guest writer

A Meter Diameter: The Circle’ series of exhibitions

HOM Art Trans, KL

 

ALI MABUHA: THE EMBODIMENT OF THE SPIRIT OF ANAK ALAM

Guest writer

 

2011

Art Malaysia #17

Guest writer

SENIKINI #14

 

THE 14 TH ASIAN ART BIENNALE BANGLADESH 2010

Guest writer

SENIKINI #10

 

2010

 

BEREHATLAH! BECAUSE WORK IS NOT ‘WORKING’!

Curator's essay

Unpublished

Guest writer

Long Thien Shih: Dalang (1990-2010)

RA Fine Arts, K.L

Guest writer

Young Malaysian Artists

Petronas Gallery, K.L

 

2009

 

ARTIST AS DESIGNER

Guest writer

‘Syed Ahmad Jamal: Pelukis’ catalogue/ book for retrospective exhibition

Balai Seni Negara (NAG), KL

 

DISCOVERING SERENITY

Guest writer

Book of paintings by Tan See Ling

 

LOUDER THAN WORDS: Leon Lim, Our Man in New York

Guest writer

SENIKINI #4

 

‘URBANSCAPES 2009: Multi Art and Pop Culture Festival

Guest writer

Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC), KL

 

TLG UNDER THE TURKISH SUN

Guest writer

SENIKINI #3

 

BACKWASHED AT THE MALACCA RIVERSIDE

Guest writer

SENIKINI #3

 

SUGGESTIONS OUT OF THE ‘TEMPURUNG’: Liew Kung Yu’s Cadangan-Cadangan Untuk Negaraku

Guest writer

 

2008

SENIKINI #3

 

TENG, A PATRIOTIC MALAYSIAN

Curator's essay

Teng: An Appreciation

Balai Seni Negara (NAG), KL

 

ON THE CORNER: AN EXHIBITION OF INFORMAL ART, NAIVE STYLE and BEYOND

Curator's essay

Susurmasa (Timelines) - (under the contemporary arts section)

Balai Seni Negara (NAG), KL

 

TURNING WORDS INTO IMAGES/ PUTTING A FACE ON 'THE UNKNOWN'

Curator's essay

RA Fine Arts Gallery, KL

 

2007

 

HE PAINTS LIKE A MAN GOING UP HILL, SINGING...

Guest writer

DIDADA - Fathullah Luqman Yussuf's solo exhibition

Galeri Pelita Hati, KL

 

DAVID TAY: BUILDINGS AND TREES

Guest writer

SENTAP Issue #6

 

2006

 

ULANGTAYANG: VARIATION IN REPETITION - EXHIBITION REVIEW

Review essay

Exhibition by Rahmat Haron & Fathullah Luqman

SENTAP Issue #4

 

SE’BIAS’ KATA

Guest writer

ULANGTAYANG: VARIATION IN REPETITION

 

2005

Pelita Hati House of Art, KL

 

PASTICHE PHILOSOPHY

Guest writer

KLUE Magazine Issue #80

 

BANGAR FIGHT CLUB: LIGHTWEIGHTt vs. HEAVYWEIGHT

Guest writer

kakiseni.com

 

2004

 

HARON RAHMAT: “AKU MAT BUNGA DARI SELAMBAK HAPAK, RABAK-KUTU BERKAHAK"

Guest writer

reka-art.com

 

ANIMAL INSTINCT IN EDEN

Guest writer

Kakiseni.com

 

TRASH AND THE CITY

Guest writer

Kakiseni.com

 

AUTONOMY IN SETAPAK

Guest writer

 

A SURVIVAL COURSE FOR CREATIVITY IN A HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT

Culture Europe International issue #43

Guest writer

kakiseni.com

 

S3, AN ART COLLECTIVE THAT WANTS TO REDEFINE ARCHITECTURE

Guest writer

kakiseni.com

 

2003

 

TICKETS TO NEWTON'S FUNFAIR?

Guest writer

kakiseni.com

 

THE CRISIS OF CARI MAKAN

Guest writer

Published by Yayasan Kesenian Perak, Ipoh, Perak

 

ANTALOGI ANTI PERANG

Guest writer

Published by Yayasan Kesenian Perak, Ipoh, Perak

Contact

© 2024 Tan Sei Hon. Some rights reserved.

Creative Commons
bottom of page