Illustrious NAFA alumnus and Cultural Medallion recipient Tay Chee Toh presented his 11th solo exhibition showcased his latest works executed between 2024-2025 of 19 large-scale ink paintings of horses. The exhibition opening was officiated on 2 September 2025 by Professor Tommy Koh, Ambassador-at-Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore, who was also the former Chairman of the National Arts Council and National Heritage Board. The event was well attended by the artist community, friends and NAFA faculty.

Known for his multidisciplinary practice, Tay brought his personal expression to the medium of Chinese ink, merging bold brushwork, stylised forms and seal compositions to capture the dynamic energy and spirit of the horse. His works embody a vision that bridges the modern and the traditional. The ethos of reinterpreting nature in new forms and embracing experimentation has been a constant thread throughout his artistic journey of close to 7 decades, establishing him as an advocate of Singaporean artistic development and progress.

Tay’s love and devotion to art continue to drive him toward new frontiers. Embarking on this series in ink at this stage of his career required not only creative courage but also physical and mental discipline. Unlike oil painting, Chinese ink demands qiyun shengdong (气韵生动) where the vitality and character of the artist and the ‘aliveness’ of the subject are made visible. Every stroke applied is a single, uninterrupted flow of concentration and breath; alive, spontaneous and irretrievable. Tay’s willingness to embrace this challenge at 84, reminds younger generations of artists that creativity deepens with age, and breakthrough comes with rigorous discipline, of the spirit and the mind.