Moms and Dads

Fred Tan: Reading and Trusting the Tides of Time

by Kevyn Gohu
October 9, 2024

While presenting his most recent solo exhibition, artist Fred Tan reveals the insights and inspirations behind each painting in the Tides of Time collection.

Where words fail, art will succeed. In the case of painter Fred Tan, a father of three, his most recent exhibit at Galerie Francesca — “Tides of Time” — doesn’t just convey feelings but a wisdom that he’s learned over his many years of experience. Although abstract, his choice of broad strokes and certain color combinations explore the complexities and unpredictability of Life. The ” tides,” as he calls them, are something we need to either adjust to or learn how to ride it.

“I’ve seen many people read the tides wrong and pay for it dearly,” he shares. “This gallery [Tides of Time] is a reminder for many of us to not forget as read the next tide which may be bigger than us. Whether we’re still here or gone from this world, the tides will still flow regardless.”

Finding his art style

Following different people before finding his own art style, Fred Tan enjoys the intentional freedom found in painting. It also granted him an avenue to express his emotions. As someone more soft-spoken, his paintings were the ones that spoke volumes for him.

Although he focuses only on acryllic, his paintings match the depth that most artists resort to mixed media for. The choice of colors are also intentional with two paying homage to his Chinese heritage: the vibrant red and gold Piety and the minimalist black-and-white Enlightenment.

“Besides red and gold being important in Chinese culture, Piety in Chinese is 孝顺 (Xiàoshùn; read as cee-ow shoon) which can also be translated as respect and obedience,” Fred explains. “Before Christianity or any religion that made its way into Chinese, Piety was the indigenous virtue. It was a top-down kind of thing; you listen to your elders and you just follow. But sometimes, doing so can get quite bloody.”

Piety’s interpretation is synonymous to main young parents today. As they try navigate the new world, the frustration builds as they also discover that many traditions have not just lost their value but have not been properly reappropriated to today’s zeitgeist. However, it’s in this that they have a choice to achieve Enlightenment — a painting that Fred depicted in black, white, and grey. It’s a reflection of the word 悟 (Wù; pronounced as “oo”), he explains.

“悟 (Wù) in English means awareness,” says Fred. “We become aware that some things are just the way they are. We can choose either to hold onto it or let it go. What we have in life, we have to accept and cherish, as they are all temporary. Do not force yourself to get what you don’t have.”

Sharing the wisdom found in emotions and art

While parents often leave books or journals behind, Fred Tan leaves behind paintings. He had reached a point in his life where his paintings would be the one to express his emotions for him. Besides Piety and Enlightenment, some of his other major paintings include Stories and Struggles and Taxi.

However, in all his paintings, it follows Lao Tzu’s philosophy that has helped him become the renowned painter and loving dad his kids know him as. There is a bit of detachment but only to avoid the possibility of imposing. “Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize nothing is lacking, the whole world belongs to you.”