Artist Biography
David Chan (1979, born and based in Singapore) is best known for his paintings and sculptures that realistically portray humans, animals and hybrid characters in whimsical scenarios. Rendered with a vivid palette, Chan’s works are satirical explorations of themes such as human behaviour, popular culture and ethical dilemmas in contemporary society.
Forefronting this hybridisation is Chan’s Hybrid Society (2008–2010), a series of paintings featuring wildlife dressed in elaborate outfits and performing human-like gestures. Drawing on well-known literary archetypes, the painted characters—‘Mr Innocent’, a wolf donning a sheepskin hat, and a crocodile named ‘Miss Sincere’ wiping her tears daintily, among others—are accentuated by allegorical elements alluding to the widespread nature of disguise and hypocrisy in an urban jungle.
Chan obtained his BFA from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University in 2014. His work can be found in collections including the Museum of Contemporary Art, Taipei and Singapore Art Museum.
Notable exhibitions include common languages (2025), Singapore Art Museum; Future Pass 2.0 (2012), Wereldmuseum Rotterdam; Future Pass – From Asia to the World (2011), (Collateral Event of the 54th Venice Biennale) Fondazione Claudio Buziol, Venice; and Blink! (2004), Singapore Art Museum. The artist has also participated in major international festivals including Atlas of Mirrors (2016), 5th Singapore Biennale; Visuals Attract and Attack (2009), 2nd Animamix Biennale, Taipei; and Metaphors of Unreal (2009), 2nd Animamix Biennale, Shanghai.
Chan had his residency at the STPI Workshop in 2008, resulting in the group exhibition BMW YAAS II: The Singapore Edition: David Chan, Donna Ong and :phunk (2009).