Yap Chin Hoe Malaysian, 1970

Yap Chin Hoe (b. 1970, Selangor) is a Malaysian contemporary artist recognised for his refined still-life paintings that blend cultural heritage with meticulous technique. A graduate of the Malaysia Institute of Art in 1991, he obtained a Double Major in Oil Painting and Printmaking.

 

Yap first embarked on his artistic journey in the direction of Western oil and acrylic paintings. Over the years, he has developed a distinctive visual style centred on Peranakan and Oriental motifs. His compositions often feature Nonyaware, antique cabinets, batik textiles, and symbolic elements such as dragonflies and peonies. These objects evoke memory and legacy, offering a quiet tribute to traditional domestic life through a Southeast Asian lens.

 

Yap has held solo exhibitions in Malaysia, Singapore and Japan, including Joyful Encounter at The Gallery at Starhill (2009), Serendity and Tranquility at Artfolio (2007, 2004), and The Oriental Passage at Art Space Aoki (2001). His works have also featured in regional group exhibitions and international auctions. Yap continues to live and work in Malaysia as a full-time artist.