Chen Shi Jin Returns With Solo Exhibition: 雨天·夜光 Through Rain and Night

Singapore, 6 June 2026 — Singaporean Chinese ink artist Chen Shi Jin presents Through Rain and Night, a solo exhibition featuring more than 30 works. Marking his return to public exhibition after nearly two decades, “Through Rain and Night” brings together works depicting nocturnal and rainy scenes from Southeast Asia and beyond.

As the first Singaporean to study at the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, Chen established himself in the 1980s and 1990s with a distinctive style described as “Chinese ink in the tropics”. In the decades that followed, he devoted himself to painting and travel across Southeast Asia and China, refining a visual language that combines regional landscapes with traditional Chinese ink techniques. It was during this period that he developed a particular fascination with rain and night scenes, refining his own approach to capturing their atmosphere, light, and quiet beauty.

At the heart of the exhibition are depictions of fishing ports, riverside settlements, and rural kampungs illuminated by moonlight or softened by rain. Such subjects remain uncommon within the tradition of Chinese ink painting, where landscapes are more often depicted in daylight. Through layered washes, rich colour, and expressive brushwork, Chen transforms familiar Southeast Asian environments into scenes of contemplation and tranquillity. The exhibition also includes works inspired by his travels abroad, among them a rainy-night interpretation of Rodin's The Thinker in Paris, rendered in his distinctive Chinese ink style.

Speaking about the exhibition, Chen said: “Most Chinese ink paintings are set in daylight, while rain and night are less often explored. Yet they are inseparable parts of our lives. Just as darkness gives meaning to light, rain and night reveal a quieter, more contemplative beauty of the world around us.”

The exhibition also marks the opening of Chen Shi Jin Gallery in Bras Basah Complex. Established as an independent space dedicated to the artist's work, the gallery will present a series of monthly thematic exhibitions, offering audiences an intimate encounter with an extensive body of work produced over four decades.

Reflecting on his return, Chen said: “In these two decades, I wanted to focus solely on painting and building a large volume of work with a clear direction. These paintings are the result of decades of observation, travel, and reflection. I now feel the time is right to share them with both long-time supporters and a new generation of viewers.”

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About the Artist

Chen Shi Jin (b. 1959, Singapore) is a Singaporean Chinese ink artist and educator whose career spans more than four decades. A graduate of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), he was the first Singaporean to pursue studies at the prestigious China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, China. Chen taught Chinese painting at NAFA for 21 years and has played an important role in nurturing generations of artists in Singapore.

Known for his portrayals of tropical environments in traditional ink, Chen draws inspiration from his travels across Southeast Asia and China, capturing the spirit of local landscapes, cultures, and everyday life through a distinctive blend of traditional Chinese brushwork and contemporary sensibilities. In 1996, he won the UOB Painting of the Year Award for his acclaimed work Root. His works have been exhibited internationally and are held in various public and private collections.

Exhibition Period

Date: 6 June - 6 July 2026
Time: 12 – 7pm (Tues - Sun)
Venue: Chen Shi Jin Gallery, Bras Basah Complex, #02-25, Singapore 180231

Contact Information

Email: chenshijingallery@gmail.com

Artwork Selections