Brian Tan Shi Shyang, a self-taught artist who loves watercolour the most among various medium. He likes to capture the personality of different animals in watercolour paintings. His works are always full of childishness and joy, perhaps because of his long-term exposure to children’s drawing.

As a curious learner of art, he started drawing and painting since a tender age. Despite not having a formal fine art education or a degree, he is able to develop his skills and proved that one can be a successful artist without going through art school.

Brian has also been teaching art for 15 years to children and adults across different age groups. He is the founder and principal of Simple Art Studio, which is currently located at Station 18, Ipoh. The studio embodies his belief and values that through art, one can embrace their inner artists, unlock their incredible potential and offer a unique path to critical thinking and creativity.

Born in 1976, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

Self-taught artist, children books illustrator & art educator

1996-2004, worked as an illustrator and designer in a publishing company

2004-2010, worked as freelance illustrator

2006, establish Simple Art Studio

2012, joined Perak Art Society

2015, invited by Southeast Asia Arts Education and Culture Exchange Association to participate in Zhuhai International Art Storm Forum in China

2017-2021 invited to be an author of Visual Art Education textbooks for Chinese primary schools (SJKC) in Malaysia

2020, was interviewed by Britishpedia, and was included in the book of “Successful People in Malaysia” published in 2020

Exhibitions:

Actively participated in society’s annual exhibitions.

2013, “Ipoh Pottery Group of Seven” Ceramic Exhibition

2014, “Friendship through Ipohgama” Ceramic Exhibition

2016, “1 Malaysia Community Art Tourism Festival (1MCAT)” Exhibition

2017, “Perak State National Day Cultural Festival Art Exhibition”, Malaysia

2017, “Hundreds of Sketches Represent a Kunming – 4th Biennale of Kunming Landscape Painting Society”, China

2018, “2018 Pan Asia Festival – Los Angeles” Art Exhibition