About
Jian Tan was born in Kuala Lumpur and migrated to Adelaide, South Australia in 2008 at the age of eight. His journey as an artist began with encyclopaedias. As a child, he would fill school notebooks with his own indexes of superheroes—each character crafted with unique abilities and aesthetics. It was his way of understanding and reimagining the world.
After moving to Adelaide, his creativity continued to flourish. Much of his school life was spent sketching, doodling, and scribbling down ideas—often finding it difficult to concentrate in class, except during Visual Art. In those sessions, he was completely engaged. He absorbed every detail, every process, every moment. It was during this time that he truly recognised the power of art to capture his attention and, more importantly, to channel his imagination.
It was then that Jian realised art would become his language—a way to tell stories through painting, drawing, sculpture, and beyond.
Since that realisation, he has been on a journey of growth, exploration, and creative evolution. Each medium, project, and experience has helped shape his voice as an artist. Art has not only allowed him to express his inner world but has also connected him more deeply to the world around him.
ETHOS & PROCESS
Jian’s practice is driven by a deeply intuitive process, shaped by daily experiences, emotional states, and the environments he inhabits. He engages with themes of identity, aesthetic tension, love, and companionship—often with a subconscious undercurrent. While Jian’s work occasionally touches on social commentary, it is never premeditated; instead, his art emerges organically, informed by the stimuli he chooses to engage with. This intentional curation of his environment is essential, as it directly influences the visual language that appears in his work.
Throughout different phases of Jian’s life, his style has shifted and evolved—each transition reflecting internal changes, emotional states, and his ongoing inquiry into the world around him. These stylistic shifts are not deliberate reinventions, but natural responses to growth, loss, curiosity, and self-discovery.
For Jian, artmaking is a vital tool for sense-making, storytelling, and connection. He views his works as open-ended visual narratives, often constructed through symbolic and allegorical elements. Rather than offering a fixed message, Jian aims to create visual environments that invite diverse interpretations. Each viewer brings their own experiences to the work, and meaning emerges through that interaction. This openness is central to Jian’s practice.
Art is not only Jian’s medium of expression—it is a lifelong inquiry, a necessity, and a space in which he continues to explore the complexities of self and society.
Jian is currently accepting commissions and welcomes all inquiries with enthusiasm. To ensure a smooth and enjoyable process, Jian kindly asks that all communication be clear, respectful, and professional. They are open to discussing ideas, answering questions, and collaborating closely with clients to bring their vision to life. Mutual respect and kindness are at the heart of every creative exchange.
E: jiantheartbook@gmail.com
Based in South Australia