Mark Tan

Tan is a first-generation artist from Toronto, Canada, who grew up in a household of Asian immigrants. His work questions themes of preconceived notions, longing, and disconnectedness in seeking acceptance within a community. Tan specializes in creating interactive sculptures made from reclaimed solid wood, found materials, and domestic construction building materials at an architectural scale. Tan has received numerous grants and awards, including those from the Windgate Foundation, Arrowmont School of Arts & Craft, Penland School of Crafts, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, and the United States Artists Organization. Tan’s work has been exhibited internationally at exhibitions such as The Arrowmont Gallery in Knoxville, TN., Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum in Mesa, AZ., Hillyer Contemporary in Washington, D.C., Messler Gallery in Rockport, ME., Patterson-Appleton Gallery in Denton, TX., Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton, MA., Wharton Esherick Museum in Malvern, PA., Aspen Art Museum in Aspen, CO., and the DeLeon White Gallery at the Gladstone in Toronto, ON.

Education

MFA, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2022

Advanced Diploma, Sheridan College, 2010

Instagram

Area of study

labor of liberty
Labor of Liberty
October 2021
Displaced
June 2021
displaced
chairs
Chair | Variation 1, 2, 3
2020