Previously being in the medical field, Caryn Koh has since rediscovered her passion in the arts. She graduated from Dasein Art Academy and was presented with the Outstanding Achievement Award in Fine Arts. She is also part of an art collective Titikmerah in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She is currently based in Swindon, United Kingdom.
She paints introspective and touching works often drawing inspiration from her personal life and relationships. She explores themes of life and suffering, implementing three dimensional elements into some of her emotional murals which expand the impact of her artwork into the real-world. She has also explored different mediums from painting, installation and video art to deliver her message in her work.
She has participated in numerous group exhibitions over the years in Malaysia, Taiwan and in United Kingdom. She has also painted murals in different regions of United Kingdom namely London, Bristol, Swindon, Leicester, Blackburn and the Lake District, Malaysia, Spain, Germany, Philippines as well as Jogjakarta. She recently appeared in a TV Programme as one of the shortlisted contestants for Portrait Artist of the Year on Sky Arts TV in the United Kingdom. Her mural "Uncertainty" has also been notably featured in BBC News.
AWARDS
PARTICIPATION
SOLO EXHIBITION
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2022
2021
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
MEDIA
She paints introspective and touching works often drawing inspiration from her personal life and relationships. She explores themes of life and suffering, implementing three dimensional elements into some of her emotional murals which expand the impact of her artwork into the real-world. She has also explored different mediums from painting, installation and video art to deliver her message in her work.
She has participated in numerous group exhibitions over the years in Malaysia, Taiwan and in United Kingdom. She has also painted murals in different regions of United Kingdom namely London, Bristol, Swindon, Leicester, Blackburn and the Lake District, Malaysia, Spain, Germany, Philippines as well as Jogjakarta. She recently appeared in a TV Programme as one of the shortlisted contestants for Portrait Artist of the Year on Sky Arts TV in the United Kingdom. Her mural "Uncertainty" has also been notably featured in BBC News.
AWARDS
- Cancer Research Malaysia Mask Design Winner, 2020.
- Psychology In Seattle Artist Grant, 2020.
- Outstanding Achievement Award in Fine Art, Dasein Art Academy, 2017.
- 2nd Place in Printmaking Category, Tanjong Heritage Competition 2016.
PARTICIPATION
- Portrait Artist of The Year, 2021.
- Shortlisted ING DIscerning Eye, 2020.
- Shortlisted Derwent Art Prize, 2018.
- Shortlisted UOB Painting of the Year, Emerging Artists, 2017.
- Shortlisted Contestant ‘Your Art, Your Story’ Nando’s Art Initiative 2016.
SOLO EXHIBITION
- Within These Walls, Mams Gallery, Swindon, United Kingdom, 2020.
- Bonds, Titikmerah Collective, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Malaysia, 2019.
- As Deep As I Could Remember, As Far As I Could See, Artemis Art Gallery, Publika Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 2018.
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2022
- NUDE, G13 Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Everything has Changed, Nothing has Changed, Temu House, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Back to the Future, Artsite and the Post Modern, Swindon, U.K.
2021
- Between Spaces, Duo Exhibition with Wong Ming Hao, G13 Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Reminiscence, Malaysian Art Ecosystem Festival, World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Letter to Basquait, Artemis Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia.
- ING Discerning Eye, Mall Galleries, London, United Kingdom.
- Portrait for NHS Heroes, Online Google Exhibition, United Kingdom.
- Traversing 175, Galeri Prima, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Belang, Penang Stage Gallery, Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia.
2019
- Art Expo Kuala Lumpur, Matrade Building, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Swindon Open Studios, Mamsgallery, Swindon, United Kingdom.
- Art Taichung, Artemis Art, Millenium Hotel, Taichung, Taiwan.
- Get-Go, Titikmerah Collective, The Back Room, Zhongshan Building, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Sama-sama, White Box, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Derwent Art Prize, Derwent Pencil Musuem, Keswick, Lake District, United Kingdom.
- Artainan, Tayih Landis Hotel, Tainan, Taiwan.
- Bunnies! Exhibition The Secret Hideout 5th Anniversary, Awegallery, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.
- Small Small World, Artemis Art Gallery, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2018
- [My]Mory Exhibition, Wicked Art Space, TTDI, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Rebirth, Publika Art Fair, Boulevard, Publika Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Derwent Art Prize, Mall Galleries, London, United Kingdom.
- Derwent Art Prize, Derwent Pencil Musuem, Keswick, United Kingdom.
- Collection Exhibition, Space2Create, Kendal, Cumbria, United Kingdom.
- Masks and Stories, Artemis Art Gallery, Publika Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- RRRAWRRR Maybang Emerging Women's Artist Exhibition, Maybank, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Softones Exhibition, Titikmerah Gallery, Publika Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Catharsis Exhibition, 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 Gallery, Publika Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Collective Individuals Group Exhibition, Hin Bus Depot Art Centre, Georgetown, Penang.
- Unsung Heroines Exhibition, Black Box, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Mampu Art Market II Exhibition, Chinahouse, Georgetown, Penang.
- XS Exhibition, Titik Merah Gallery, Publika Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2016
- ‘Your Art, Your Story’ Nando’s Art Initiative Group Exhibition, Publika Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.
- #EhWauBulan Red Bull Group Art Showcase, White Box, Publika, Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Shell’s 125th Anniversary Mural Exhibition, Publika Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Futurama Group Exhibition, Damansara Performing Arts Centre, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
- Mampu Art Market, Hin Bus Depot Art Centre, Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia.
- ONExONE 2 Group Exhibition, Titik Merah Gallery, Publika Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Kuala Lumpur Mapfest Mural Exhibition, White Box, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2015
- Julie's The Best of You Grand Exhibition, IOI City Mall, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Secret Crack II Exhibition, Coffee Art Fringe Festival, White Box, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- ONExONE Group Exhibition, Titik Merah Gallery, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Secret Crack Group Exhibition, Hin Bus Art Depot Centre, Penang, Malaysia.
- International Women’s Day Group Exhibition, Suria Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- ‘The End’ Group Exhibition, 321 Studios, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Young Women Making Change (YWMC) Exhibition, ASEAN People’s Forum, Wisma Malaysian Chinese Association, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- SELECTED COMMISSIONS AND PROJECTS
2016-2022 - Mural Art, Penge< London, UK.
- Mural Art, Upfest Street Art Festival, Bristol, U.K.
- Mural Art,Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, U.K.
- Mural Art, Princes Street, Swindon U.K.
- Mural Art Bicycle Park, Swindon U.K.
- Mural Art, Penang International Street Art Festival, Georgetown, Penang.
- Mural Art, Torrefarrera Street Art Festival, Torrefarrera, Spain.
- Mural Art, Bring The Paint Festival, Leicester, United Kingdom.
- Mural Art, Blackburn Open Walls, Blackburn, United Kingdom.
- Mural Art, Ulverston Fine Festival, Thinners Rabbit Framers, Ulverston, United Kingdom,
- Mural Art, Kalipay Negresse Foundation, Philipiness.
- Mural Art, Sunway Pyramid, Sunway, Subang Jaya, Malaysia.
- Illustrator for Micromalaysians, Buku Fixi Publications, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Shell 125th Anniversary Art Initiative Mural Painting, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan and 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.
MEDIA
- Fatima, Uncertain journeys inspire new mural in Swindon, B.B.C. U.K. , October 2021 ( https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire )
- Maya Suraya, Uncertainties Inspiration for UK based Mural, Rakyat Post, October 2021 ( https://www.therakyatpost.com/living/2021/10/03/msian-doctor-turned-artist-credits-uncertainties-as-inspiration-for-uk-based-mural/ )
- Hedi Mehrez, New Mural in Swindon, Swindon Advertiser, October 2021. ( https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/19651032.artist-uses-migration-journey-new-mural-swindon )
- Upfest Mural Festival, https://www.upfest.co.uk/artist/caryn-koh , 2020
- Best murals of January 2020, https://medium.com/street-art-cities/best-of-december-2020-a9312cdb08ce, January 2020.
- Two murals best in the world January 2020, http://www.guangming.com.my/node/525925/街頭藝術城市評選-檳2貨櫃藝術膺全球最佳 , February 2020
- Urban Art in Penang, https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2020/01/13/container-installations-breathe-new-life-to-urban-art-in-penang, January 2020
- Dinesh Kumar, Group exhibition mixes imaginary realities and cautionary warnings about Malaysia https://www.star2.com/culture/2019/09/07/malaysia-day-art-exhibition-sama-sama-white-box-publika/ , September 2019.
- Claire Dukes, Swindon Open Studios, https://swindonlink.com/8840/exclusive-art-exhibitions-pop-up-across-swindon-for-open-studios-event--/ August 2019.
- Hayley Watson, Impressive Street Art Transforming City Centre, May 2019 (https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/amazing-pictures-bring-paint-festival-2909395 )
- Grace See, Top Female Asian Artists, September 2018 (http://theartling.com/en/artzine/2018/9/19/top-female-asian-artists-/)
- Dinesh Kumar, Looks Beyond a Uniformed Life, October 2018. (www.star2.com/culture/2018/10/24/artist-caryn-koh-solo-exhibition/ )
- Kwong Wah, April 2018. ( http://www.kwongwah.com.my/?p=496966 )
- Rozdan Mazalan, Luah isu wanita dalam karya lukisan, March 2018. ( https://www.bharian.com.my/wanita/lain-lain/2018/03/398677/luah-isu-wanita-dalam-karya-lukisan )
- Dave Crossley, From Kuala Lumpur to Dalton, Ulverston Now Magazine, December 2017.
- Terence Toh, Connections Between Making and Reading Art, Star2 Newspaper, September 2017. (http://www.star2.com/culture/arts/2017/09/12/primer-for-a-language/)
- Yee Jie Min, “Down to a Fine Art.”, The Sun Daily, March 2017. (http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2194330)
- Kyra Alegira, “Colors of Life Through Art Expressions.” News Stream Asia, February 2017 (http://www.newstream.asia/wellness/health/mhtcs-share-love-campaign-radiates-colors-life-art-expressions/)
- “Art of Healing.” The Star Newspaper, January 2017 (http://www.thestar.com.my/news/education/2017/01/08/art-of-healing/)
- Zuliantie Dzul, "Fuelling the Pioneering Spirit." New Straits Times, September 2016 (http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/09/172237/pulse-people-fuelling-pioneering-spirit)
- Sarah Vogeler, "Oh, For the Love of Art!", New Straits Times, September 2016 (http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/09/172393/oh-love-art )
- Tan Ai Yeng, "Malaysia in Murals." The Star Newspaper, August 2016 (http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2016/08/16/malaysia-in-murals-art-project-showcases-countrys-identity-and-spirit-as-malaysians-celebrate-nation/)
- "Celebrating 125 Years through Art". August 2016 (http://www.shell.com.my/about-us/who-we-are/fuelling-malaysian-progress/celebrating-125-years-through-art.html)
- "Happy Birthday Shell." The Star Newspaper. August 2016. (http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1928340)
- Wong Pek Mei, "Shopping Gallery's Annual Fest."The Star Newspaper. May 2016. (http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2016/03/31/all-kinds-of-everything-shopping-gallerys-annual-fest-offers-visual-and-shopping-treats/)
- Kenny Mah, "Artisinal single origin chocolates.. Made in Malaysia!" The Star Newspaper, January 2016.(http://www.themalaymailonline.com/eat-drink/article/now-you-can-enjoy-artisanal-single-origin-chocolate...-made-in-malaysia)
- "Mall Honours eight inpisring women." The Star Newspaper, March 2015. (http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2015/03/13/mall-honours-eight-inspiring-women-public-can-learn-more-about-them-at-suria-klccs-international-wom/)
- Yvonne T. Nathan, "Exhibition an effort to bring together street and academic art." The Star Newspaper, March 2015. (http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2015/03/20/from-chaos-to-order-exhibition-an-effort-to-bring-together-street-and-academic-art/)
- Lydia Koh, "Art for Grabs and Sisters in Islam: An art bazaar that helps to give voice to women" Malay Mail, March 2015 (http://www.themalaymailonline.com/features/article/art-for-grabs-and-sisters-in-islam-an-art-bazaar-that-helps-to-give-voice-t)
