Tinyan Chan SFCA - Lifetime Achievement Award Federation of Canadian Artists

Tinyan Chan’s unique painting style combines a compelling blend of Western and Asian aesthetics. Tinyan’s energetic, impressionistic style and fearless use of brilliant color reflect the diverse cultural influences of his life.

The delineations in Tinyan’s work recall beautiful expressions of classic Chinese calligraphy. Asian color sensibility and serenely natural scenes allow strokes of fuchsia, yellow, and turquoise to combine harmoniously, where one might expect them to clash. With the delicate Chinese brush discipline, Tinyan scatters lively and undisciplined patches of brilliant color throughout his compositions. He deftly balances Chinese and occidental components to arrive at his idiosyncratic diversity via the intriguing stylistic link.

Born in Hin Kwong Village, Go Yew County, Guangdong, China in 1942 Tinyan is renowned in his native land for his masterful depictions of water scenes, woodland scenes and florals in both watercolor and oil. He was honored in 2012 with fortnight’s Life Retrospective – a 100-Piece Exhibition at Guangzhou Art Museum in Guangdong province – and a civic award.

The youngest of an artistic family, Tinyan studied at Canton Academy of Fine Arts, whence he moved to Hong Kong to set up studio. His adventures took him to West Africa, where he designed gorgeous fabrics for Nigerian Textiles. The tranquil village life, spiced with exotic color and design, permanently influenced him.

Following his African adventure, Tinyan traveled throughout Europe. He studied at the prestigious École Nationale Superieure de Beaux-Arts in Paris. Finally Tinyan settled in Canada in 1968, and became one of that country’s most celebrated artists.

Since the early 1970’s, Tinyan has held more than one hundred one-man shows in many of the major cities of North America and Asia. In 1981, he won an honorary award in the United Kingdom’s International Artist Water Color Competition with his famous piece ‘The Cherry Blossom. He made his entrance into the mainstream Canadian art society in the late 1970’s by becoming a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists (F.C.A). In 1983, he was the first Chinese artist to be elected by the F.C.A as a Senior Member of the association, thus being granted the title of S.F.C.A. Tinyan won the gold medal at the F.C.A annual exhibition in 1994 and a bronze medal followed in 2004. The extent of his achievements were acknowledged in the year 2011 when he was selected by the F.C.A to be the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. This award was presented in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the world of art.

In 2016, Tinyan was invited to exhibit his Major One Man Exhibition “The Colourful World of Tinyan Chan” at Gu Yuan Museum of Art, in Zhuhai, China.

Sixty five years ago, Tinyan was an art student from a humble beginning. During his lengthy venture in the world of art, he has been steadfast with commitment and has insisted on perfection. He has won the applause of the art society. Much admired by art collectors and regarded as a master painter in the highest caliber, Tinyan feels greatly rewarded for his many years of perseverance. He looks forward to many more bright, and colorful years to come.

Notable Awards & Honors:

Lifetime Achievement Award, Federation of Canadian Artists, 2011
Signature Membership (SFCA designation), Federation of Canadian Artists, 1983
Spilsbury Bronze Medal Award, The Federation of Canadian Artists, 2004
Gold Medal, FCA & AFCA Exhibition, Federation of Canadian Artists, 1994
Honorable Mention, Federation of Canadian Artists, Canada, 1982
Honorable Mention, International Artists in Water colour competition, London, 1981

Notable Collections:

His Majesty, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand
Her Royal Highness, Srinakarin, The King’s Mother of Thailand
Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, The People’s Government of Guangdong Province, China
Foreign Affairs Office, The People’s Government of Guangzhou City, China.
Research Institute of Culture and History, the People’s Government of Guangdong Province, China
Art Museum of Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, Guangzhou, China
Gu Yuan Museum of Art, Zhuhai, China
Guangdong Academy of Fine Arts, China
Lion’s Gate Hospital Foundations, West Vancouver, BC, Canada
Erivan and Helga Haub Family, U.S.A.
The Federation of Canadian Artists
The University of British Columbia
United Nigerian Textile, Nigeria
Shell Oil Company, Canada
Scott Paper Company, Canada
Gulf Canada Ltd., Canada
Alberta Gas Trunk Line, Canada
Niji, Amsterdam, Holland

TINYAN CHAN