b. 1987, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Dr. Caryn Koh
Diploma in Fine Art, Dasein Art Academy, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Caryn Koh is a qualified medical doctor who gave up a career in medicine to rediscover her her passion in visual art. She obtained her Diploma in Fine Art from Dasein Art Academy, and is part of the loose collective Titikmerah, based in Publika, Kuala Lumpur.
What intrigues Caryn is what she calls the “human mould”, the physique plus mental and psychological make-up of individuals. Within this construct, she believes the various human interconnections, be they by blood or otherwise, creates another dynamic to our being.
She is most well-known for her Sekolah (School) Series of illustrations in pen and color pencil, the national school uniform a metaphor for the limitations set upon us by others. These have been drawn in various situations based on Caryn’s own personal experiences, or thoughts at the moment on current affairs that resonate with her.
In terms of artwork mediums and formats, Caryn is one who isn’t afraid to experiment. Her body of work up to now has covered various forms, from drawings to large scale murals, installations, audio and video-based art.
Solo Exhibitions
2020
Within These Walls, Mams Gallery, Swindon, United Kingdom
2019
Bonds, Titikmerah Collective, TTDI, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2018
as deep as I could remember, as far as I could see, Artemis Art, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Group Exhibitions
2020
ING Discerning Eye, Mall Galleries, London, United Kingdom
Portrait for NHS Heroes, Online Google Exhibition, United Kingdom
Traversing 175, Galeri Prima, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Belang, Penang State Art Gallery, George Town, Penang, Malaysia
2019
Nothing Gold Can Stay, MODEKA Creative Space, Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines (in collaboration with Artemis Art)
Art Expo Malaysia 2019, MATRADE Exhibition & Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (with Artemis Art)
Sama Sama (jointly hosted by Artemis Art, Fergana Art & Segaris Art Center), White Box, MAP@Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Xavier Art Fest 2019, Xavier School, San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines (with Artemis Art)
Swindon Open Studios, Mams Gallery, Swindon, United Kingdom
Get-Go (Titikmerah Collective exhibition), The Back Room, Zhongshan Building, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Art Taichung 2019, Millennium Hotel, Taichung, Taiwan (with Artemis Art)
Small Small World (小小世界), Artemis Art, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
And The Award Goes To…, Artemis Art, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2018
Publika Art Show, The Boulevard, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Derwent Art Prize, Mall Galleries, London, United Kingdom
Ulverston Fine Festival, Ulverston, Lake District, United Kingdom
Collection Exhibition, Space2Create, Kendal, Cumbria, United Kingdom
Masks and Stories, Artemis Art, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
RRRAWRRR – Maybank Emerging Women’s Artist Exhibition, Balai Seni Maybank, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Softones, Galeri Titikmerah, Art Row, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Collection Exhibition, Space2Create, Kendal, Cumbria, United Kingdom
Catharsis, University Malaya Gallery, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
2017
Lakes International Festival, Coach House, Ford Park, Ulverston, Cumbria, United Kingdom
Asia Illustrations Collection, Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Space of Time International Women’s Exchange Exhibition, Georgetown Festival, Whiteaways Acade, Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia
Primer for A Language, Artemis Art, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Collective Individuals II, Urbanscapes House, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Collective Individuals, Hin Bus Depot Art Centre, Georgetown, Penang
Unsung Heroines, Black Box, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Mampu Art Market II, ChinaHouse, Georgetown, Penang
XS, Galeri Titikmerah Gallery, Art Row, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2016
ONExONE II, Galeri Titikmerah, Art Row, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur Mapfest Mural Exhibition, White Box, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Futurama, Damansara Performing Arts Centre, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Mampu Art Market, Hin Bus Depot Art Centre, Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia
Shell’s 125th Anniversary Mural Exhibition, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
#EhWauBulan Red Bull Art Showcase, White Box, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
‘Your Art, Your Story’ Nando’s Art Initiative 2016, Publika, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
GAUL Collaborative Group Exhibition, Hin Bus Depot Art Centre, Georgetown, Penang
Anonymous Art, Lostgens Contemporary Art Space, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2015
ONExONE, Galeri Titikmerah, Art Row, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
International Women’s Day Group Exhibition, Suria Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
‘The End’, 321 Studios, Art Row, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Young Women Making Change (YWMC) Exhibition, ASEAN People’s Forum, Wisma Malaysian Chinese Association, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
‘BeMyProtector’ Human Trafficking Exhibition, around Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley, Malaysia
Secret Crack, Hin Bus Art Depot Centre, Penang, Malaysia
Potluck, Thursdvys Café, Taman Tun Datuk Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The Secret Hub, Impact Hub, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Coffee Art Fringe Festival Asia Exhibition (CAFFA), White Box, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Awards
2020
Winner, Mask Design Competition, Cancer Research Malaysia, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
2018
Shortlist, The Derwent Art Prize, United Kingdom
2017
Outstanding Achievement Award in Fine Art, Dasein Art Academy
Shortlist, UOB Painting of the Year Award, Emerging Artist
2016
2nd Place, Tanjong Heritage Competition (Printmaking)
Shortlisted, Nando’s Art Initiative 2016 – “Your Art, Your Story”
In The Media
2020
Container installations breathe new life to urban art in Penang, The Star, January 13 2020
2018
Schooled in art – Front Row, on The Bigger Picture, BFM 89.9, October 24 2018
UK-based artist Caryn Koh faces ghosts of the past through her art (by Dinesh Kuma Maganathan) – The Star, October 24 2018
Dr. Artist – Kwong Wah, April 8 2018
Luah isu wanita dalam karya lukisan (by Rozdan Mazalan) – Berita Harian, March 12 2018
2017
From Kuala Lumpur to Dalton (by David Crossley) – Ulverston Now, December 2017
Connections Between Making and Reading Art (by Terence Toh) – The Star (Star 2 section), September 12 2017
Down to a Fine Art (by Yee Jie Min) – The Sun Daily, March 15 2017
Colors of Life Through Art Expressions (by Kyra Alegira) – Newstream Asia, February 13 2017
Art of Healing – The Star, January 8 2017
2016
Fueling The Pioneering Spirit (by Zuliantie Dzul) – New Straits Times, September 10 2016
Oh, for the love of art (by Sarah NH Vogeler) – New Straits Times, September 11 2016
Malaysia In Murals (by Tan Ai Yeng) – The Star, August 16 2016
Happy Birthday Shell – The Sun Daily, August 8 2016
Shopping Gallery’s Annual Fest – The Star, March 31 2016
Artisinal single origin chocolates.. Made in Malaysia! (by Kenny Mah) – The Malay Mail Online, January 17 2016
2015
Art for Grabs and Sisters in Islam: An art bazaar that helps to give voice to women (by Lydia Koh) – The Malay Mail Online, September 9 2015
Exhibition an effort to bring together street and academic art (by Yvonne T. Nathan) – The Star, March 20 2015
Mall Honours eight inpisring women – The Star, March 13 2015
Commissions & Public Art Projects
2020
Penang International Container Art Festival, surrounding Penang (Island & Mainland), Malaysia
2017
Illustrator for Micromalaysians, Buku Fixi Publications, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Instructor for Oil Painting, Artesque My, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Mural Painting for Riding Colors Project, Kalipay Negrense Foundation, Bacalod, Negros, Philippines
Mural Painting, Hin Bus Depot Art Centre, Georgetown, Penang
Mural Painting for Sunway’s Clean Air Campaign, Sunway Pyramid, Subang Jaya, Selangor
2016
Illustration Backdrop for Fulbright ETA Program, Malaysian-American Commission on Educational Exchange (MACEE), National Library Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Instructor for Charcoal Drawing Workshop, Lorem Ipsum Cafe, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Mural Painting Collaboration with IM4U, Shelter Home, OUG, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Art For Grabs in Collaboration with KL Alternative Book Fest, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Mural Painting ART4U IM4U Launch Day, Puchong, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Live Painting for Red Bull Art Initiative, Dasein Art Academy, Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Shell 125th Anniversary Art Initiative Mural Painting, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2015
MH370 Tribute Collaboration Live Painting with artists Sliz, Aleff Ahmad, Alena Murang, 321 Studios, Art Row, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Chocolate Design for Senimankakao, Taman Tun Datuk Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Art For Grabs in collaboration with Sisters In Islam, Malaysia Day, School, Jaya One, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Post-It Art Initiative Installation, Teach for Malaysia, Blue Bridge, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2014
Installation Art and Murals collaboration with Biji-Biji Initiative, Festival Belia Putrajaya, Malaysia
Mural Painting for Biji-Biji Initiative Workshop, Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Riding Colors Orphanage Mural Painting Project (with Spanish artist Adrian Torres), United Learning Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Mural Painting 1Malaysia 4 Youth (IM4U) National Art Movement, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia