Phuan Thai Meng Malaysia, b. 1974

Phuan Thai Meng (b. 1974) was born in Malaysia. He graduated from Malaysian Institute of Art (MIA). Phuan specializes in oil painting and multimedia installation, and he also engages in experimental projects and workshops. In his art, Phuan explores the discourses of authority and relationships within social ecology, urbanization and geopolitics. His recent works and researches focus on re-examining the relationship between people and their “Place” through the context of human shifting habitat as well as re-imagining the social landscape of the region beyond the existing frameworks. Phuan achieves his artistic practice through various platforms; moreover, his philosophy about art practice is not limited in producing “art objects” but about the transformation of one’s own beliefs and thoughts. His works have been showcased in art galleries, art museums and art spaces in various countries, among which are Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, the UK, Germany and Pakistan. Phuan has been invited to participate in many significant international exhibitions, such as the 7th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (2012), and is the recipient of multiple prestigious awards, including the Philip Morris Malaysia – Asean Art Awards (2000) two times selected in the Sovereign Asian Art Prize, Hong Kong. His works are included in the collections of National Art Gallery of Malaysia, Singapore Art Museum, Queensland Art Gallery, Australia, and Museum of Modern Art. Phuan is a founding member of Rumah Air Panas (R.A.P.), an artist-run art space in Kuala Lumpur. He had six years of experience lecturing at MIA. Currently, he resides in Taipei pursuing his MFA at National Taipei University of Arts and continues his research and projects.