It’s easy to lose yourself in the colourful, lush world of Kevin Chin’s paintings. In 2014 Chin spent a year living in Tokyo undertaking residencies he was awarded at Youkobo Art Space, Toyko and Studio Kura, Fukuoka. Alone and unable to speak the language, Chin spent his time photographing, drawing and absorbing his environment. His new works, created on his return to Melbourne, depict fictional scenes that reflect on the imperfect way memory is captured. By re-assembling these fragments of paradise with the familial, he finds the otherworldly within the everyday.
Kevin Chin was awarded an Australia Council New Work Grant towards the making of
Stillness Between Us. He received an Ian Potter Cultural Trust Grant to support 2014 artist residencies at Youkobo Art Space (Toyko) and Studio Kura (Fukuoka). In 2014, he was Runner-up in the Redlands Art Award, and was
a finalist in the Grace Cossington Smith Art Award, Fisher’s Ghost Art Award, and Gold Coast Art Prize. He has also been a finalist in the Black Swan Award (2013), Fleurieu Art Award (2013), RBS Emerging Artist Award (2009), and Metro Art Award (2009, 2010). He is a twice recipient of the National Association for the Visual Arts Australian Artists’ Grant (2010, 2011) and has been awarded the City of Yarra Arts Development Grant (2012) and City of Melbourne Arts Projects Grant (2010).
Press release courtesy THIS IS NO FANTASY.