Paper

Student Artwork Guide

The scars that write us

Name Class Date

Chen Yanyun, The scars that write us (2018), Singapore Art Museum. Reproduced for reference; rights reserved by the rights holder.

The facts

Artist
Chen Yanyun originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/chen-yanyun/
Artist’s dates
1986 – ?
Painted
2018
Original size
180 x 80 cm
Held at
Singapore Art Museum originaluniqueart.com/en/museums/singapore-art-museum-singapore/

In context

The scars that write us — Chen Yanyun

How big is it?

The original measures 180 × 80 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height. It is too large to draw to scale on this page.

When was this painted?

  1. 1980
  2. 1990
  3. 2000
  4. 2010

Row above: the year. Row below: the artist's age in that year.

Painted when the artist was 32. 0 of the 1 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

Shaded: the lifetime of Chen Yanyun (1986–?) ▲ this work, 2018

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Phthalo Green #21190b

    Catalogued palette

    • #21190B
    • #080605
    • #978A74
    • #4B3E2A
    Palette
    Earthy The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Phthalo Green
    Intensity
    Monochromatic How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Gentle How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Strong Color Unity How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Deep_shadow How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Muted How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Chen Yanyun

    Born in Singapore, Singapore

    biography of a charcoal maestro

    chen yanyun, a singaporean artist born in 1986, has been making waves in the art world with her captivating charcoal drawings, thought-provoking animations, and immersive installations. her works are a poignant reflection of intergenerational family stories, cultural wounds, and the tenuous relationships between traditions and scars that live in language.

    artistic journey

    chen yanyun's artistic practice is characterized by its interdisciplinary approach, delving into the aesthetic, cultural, and technological inheritances on one’s body.

    her works are grounded in the physicality of human and botanical forms, often featuring charcoal drawings full of botanical forms and human bodies.

    a loyalist to the medium, she has trained at the florence academy of art in sweden, which has significantly influenced her artistic style.

    notable achievements

    chen yanyun is a professor of the practice at smfa tufts university, showcasing her academic prowess alongside her artistic talents.

    she has been awarded the prestigious singapore national arts council young artist award (2020) and artoutreach impart visual artist award (2019).

    her works have been exhibited at renowned institutions, including the singapore tyler print institute (2024) and thailand biennale (2021).

    exploring the artist's world on AllPaintingsStore

    to delve deeper into chen yanyun's artistic world, visit her profile on [https://AllPaintingsStore.com/@/chen-yanyun](https://AllPaintingsStore.com/@/chen-yanyun), where you can explore her charcoal drawings and learn more about her inspirations and creative process. for a broader understanding of her contributions to the art world, check out /en/art/show/art-d3cl2x-en/ which features an extensive collection spanning from the 12th to the 20th century.

    further reading

    for more information on chen yanyun, visit her wikipedia page at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/yanyun_chen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/yanyun_chen).

    Museum

    Singapore Art Museum

    On show in Singapore, Singapore

    A Beacon of Southeast Asian Art

    In the heart of a bustling metropolis, where modernity meets tradition, the

    Singapore Art Museum

    (SAM) stands as a vibrant testament to the burgeoning artistic landscape of Southeast Asia. It is far more than a mere repository for precious objects; it is a dynamic platform where contemporary voices resonate and cultural narratives unfold with profound depth. The museum offers an intimate encounter with the pulse of a continent, fostering a dialogue between the historical roots of Southeast Asian identity and the experimental frontiers of global contemporary practice. For the discerning collector or the passionate art lover, stepping into this institution is to embark on a journey through layers of regional identity and social commentary.

    The museum’s physical presence is as compelling and avant-garde as the artworks it houses. Eschewing the sterile confines of traditional gallery settings, SAM embraces unconventional spaces that extend its reach into the very fabric of Singapore itself. The flagship building,

    8Q SAM

    , is a masterpiece of architectural character, housed in a beautifully restored former Catholic school on Bras Basah Road. Its distinctive façade, adorned with colorful cubes, serves as a playful invitation to creativity, while the interior is thoughtfully designed to create an immersive environment that enhances the visitor experience. This spirit of exploration continues at locations like the Tanjong Pagar Distripark, where raw, industrial aesthetics provide a striking, deliberate contrast to the delicate or complex installations on display.

    A Tapestry of Contemporary Expression

    The collection is a rich tapestry spanning painting, sculpture, photography, video, and installation art, with each medium serving as a vehicle for exploring complex themes of globalization, memory, and cultural evolution. The museum’s programming, including the prestigious

    Singapore Biennale

    , ensures that the institution remains at the forefront of international artistic discourse. Visitors may find themselves captivated by powerful performance pieces or lost in evocative photographic narratives that capture the poignant yearning of the modern cityscape.

    What truly distinguishes the Singapore Art Museum is its unwavering dedication to a regional focus with global reach. While many institutions adopt a broad, often detached international perspective, SAM’s core mission remains firmly rooted in showcasing the unique artistic voices and cultural narratives of Southeast Asia. This focused approach allows for a deeper exploration of local contexts, fostering a profound understanding of the complexities of identity within this diverse region. For interior designers seeking inspiration or collectors looking to understand the trajectory of Asian contemporary art, SAM offers an experience that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for The scars that write us

    originaluniqueart.com/en/art/download/chen-yanyun-the-scars-that-write-us-D7UQCW-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Yanyun, Chen. The scars that write us. 2018, Singapore Art Museum. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/chen-yanyun-the-scars-that-write-us-D7UQCW-en/
    APA
    Yanyun, Chen (2018). The scars that write us [Painting]. Singapore Art Museum. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/chen-yanyun-the-scars-that-write-us-D7UQCW-en/
    Chicago
    Chen Yanyun. The scars that write us. 2018. Singapore Art Museum. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/chen-yanyun-the-scars-that-write-us-D7UQCW-en/
    Harvard
    Yanyun, Chen (2018) The scars that write us. Singapore Art Museum. Available at: https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/chen-yanyun-the-scars-that-write-us-D7UQCW-en/

    Look closely

    The scars that write us — Chen Yanyun

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Our catalogue files this work under: abstract expressionism, scar portraits, family trauma. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    4. Chen Yanyun was about 32 when this was made. What in it looks like the work of an artist at that stage?
    5. Themes that come back through the work of Chen Yanyun: abstract expressionism, neo-expressionism, textured painting. Which of them do you see here?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Questions & Answers

    What was Chen Yanyun's age when "The scars that write us" was created?

    Chen Yanyun made "The scars that write us" at the age of 32. The artist was born in 1986 and the work is dated 2018.

    What level of contrast does "The scars that write us" by Chen Yanyun show?

    The contrast level of "The scars that write us" by Chen Yanyun is gentle.

    Who is the artist behind "The scars that write us"?

    The artist behind "The scars that write us" is Chen Yanyun. The work is catalogued under Chen Yanyun's name.

    Is "The scars that write us" by Chen Yanyun kept in the artist's home country?

    Yes - the artwork is kept in the artist's home country. The artist's birth country is Singapore, and the museum holding the original is in Singapore.

    When was "The scars that write us" made?

    "The scars that write us" dates from 2018. The date places the work within Chen Yanyun's career and its era.

    Where is "The scars that write us" by Chen Yanyun on display today?

    "The scars that write us" by Chen Yanyun is on display at the Singapore Art Museum, Singapore, Singapore. The museum listing refers to the original work, not to reproductions.

    How do I discover artworks close to "The scars that write us" by Chen Yanyun?

    The Similars page of "The scars that write us" by Chen Yanyun presents related artworks.