Eng Tay: Unending odyssey of passion

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NY-based Malaysian artist Eng Tay on his storied journey

AT 78, internationally acclaimed Malaysian artist Eng Tay has spent more than five decades creating works that have found homes in galleries, museums and private collections around the world.

Best known for his paintings, etchings and sculptures, he has built a career that many young artists aspire to. Yet despite the accolades, the driving force behind his work has remained remarkably simple – an enduring passion for art.

That passion first took him halfway across the world in 1968. At just 20 years old, Tay left his hometown in Kedah with a one-way ticket to New York, enrolling at the Art Students League of New York before completing his studies at the School of Visual Arts in 1972. At a time when few Malaysian artists ventured overseas, the move was ambitious and uncertain. For Tay, however, New York had always represented possibility.

“Even when I was in middle school, I already knew I wanted to go to New York. I believed the city would give me the opportunities I couldn’t find at home. Looking back, I’ve never regretted that decision,” he told theSun.

The city became more than a place to study. Surrounded by museums, galleries and artists from around the world, Tay found himself immersed in an environment that constantly encouraged experimentation and growth.

“The appreciation for contemporary fine art was much stronger there. You were constantly surrounded by exhibitions, different artistic movements and people who genuinely valued original work. It challenged me to grow as an artist every day,” he said.

Success, however, did not arrive overnight.

“Everything happened gradually. When I first arrived, I didn’t have much. Like most artists, I had to build everything step by step.”

Years of perseverance eventually led to exhibitions across the US, Europe and Asia, cementing his reputation as one of Malaysia’s leading contemporary artists.

When he returned to Malaysia in the 1980s, Tay also understood the realities of making a living through art. He took on commercial graphic design work while continuing to develop his fine art practice, allowing him to create without compromising his artistic vision.

“Fine art can be unpredictable, so I took on commercial work to support myself. Over time, as more people began collecting my work and opportunities increased, I was fortunate enough to devote myself to art full-time,” he said.

Finding beauty through every medium

Although best known for his paintings, Tay’s artistic practice extends to etching, sculpture and traditional printmaking techniques, including lithography and woodcut. His introduction to printmaking came unexpectedly through an elective during his student years, but it quickly became one of his favourite mediums.

“I first encountered printmaking because it was offered as an elective. Once I started learning the different techniques, I became fascinated by them. Every print develops its own textures and character, so no two pieces are ever exactly alike. That uniqueness is what continues to draw me to the medium,” he said.

Unlike digital reproductions, traditional printmaking embraces subtle imperfections, with every etched plate or carved woodblock producing slight variations that make each work unique.

Tay has never limited himself to a single medium, instead allowing each idea to determine whether it should become a painting, print or sculpture.

The same openness shapes his outlook on inspiration.

“I’ve never believed inspiration has to come from famous names. Good art inspires me, wherever it comes from. When you see work that genuinely moves you, it pushes you to become better yourself,” he said.

Looking beyond the canvas

For Tay, creativity extends well beyond the studio. Travel has long been one of his greatest sources of inspiration, exposing him to new cultures, perspectives and ways of seeing the world.

“The world is the greatest classroom. You have to see different places, meet different people and experience different cultures. I think younger artists spend too much time online. There’s no substitute for standing in front of a painting, visiting museums or travelling somewhere unfamiliar,” he said.

It is advice that feels increasingly relevant in an era when much of the world’s art is viewed through phone screens rather than in person.

That curiosity has also sustained his passion for more than half a century. Asked what continues to motivate him after decades of creating, his answer is immediate.

“Passion is everything. If you truly love what you do, you don’t stop creating. It’s even more rewarding when people connect with your work because that tells you your art has meaning beyond yourself. Once you’re able to make a living doing something you love, there’s very little that can stand in your way,” he said.

Advice for next generation

Having witnessed the art world evolve dramatically over the decades, Tay believes every generation of artists must learn to navigate its own challenges.

Whether it is financial uncertainty, creative self-doubt or the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), perseverance remains essential.

“Every artist goes through difficult periods. That’s part of the journey. Don’t be afraid to experiment, keep learning and stay curious about the world. With AI becoming more common, it’s even more important to support living artists by visiting exhibitions and engaging with original work,” he said.

For Tay, technology may change the creative landscape, but genuine artistic expression will always be rooted in human experience.

Perhaps that is why he finds it impossible to choose a favourite among his own works.

“They’re all my babies. It’s like asking a parent to choose a favourite child. That’s an impossible question to answer,” he said with a laugh.

Visitors can experience some of those “children” at Fragments of a Season, on display at Eslite Spectrum, The Starhill until Sept 30. The exhibition brings together Tay’s latest works alongside those of fellow Malaysian artists, including Lau Wai Leng, Soon Lai Wai, Voon Kim Cheong, Nizar Kamal Ariffin and others, celebrating the diversity of the country’s contemporary art scene.

For Tay, however, the exhibition represents more than a showcase of finished works. It is another chapter in a lifelong journey that began with a one-way ticket to New York and continues to be guided by the same passion that first inspired him to pick up a brush.

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