Shayne Phua Shi Ying (b.1997, Singapore)
Shayne uses the medium of clay to narrate stories and turn a critical eye on everyday realities. Her ceramic objects employ history, myth and literature to reflect on the world around her. She graduated with BA(Hons) in Communication Design from The Glasgow School of Art, Singapore. Phua enjoys observing the forms and functions of utilitarian objects. Her work focuses on these aspects of ceramics as the vehicle for exploring a host of discourses, including oral traditions, folklore, historical anecdote and socio-political ideologies. In a world increasingly flattened out by social media and cultural homogenisation, her practice is premised on a keen interest in the local and often overlooked – a register of things and tales that flicker beneath public attention. As the artist notes, “That which I see or hear, or both, often coalesce into a surreal vision. I unpack its relation to daily life, alter and make sense of it by forging an allegory of my own. In a sense, I am bringing past and present into conversation, into play.” In 2019, Shayne was an Artist in Residence at Zentrum für Keramik in Berlin and Guldagergaard International Ceramic Research Center in Denmark. She participated in ‘Blended Tongue’ in Paris, featuring works of artists based in Singapore and France, along with botanical installations by This Humid House in 2022. The following year, she exhibited her works in a group show, ‘New Makers,’ in Bangkok, featuring Thai and Singaporean artists. Most recently, she held a solo exhibition with Yeo Workshop.EDUCATION
2019 – 2021
BA(Hons) Communication Design, Glasgow School of Art, Singapore
2014 – 2017
Diploma in Fine Arts (Ceramics), Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
JULY 2024
A roast of Asian nine tails topped with broken femur and bile, accompanied by more curious ingredients- Curated by Louis Ho, Yeo Workshop, Singapore
FEBRUARY 2021
Shayne by Shayne, Telok Ayer Arts Club, Cluny Court, Singapore
OCTOBER 2020
Sehnsucht, Coda Culture, 67 Aliwal St, Singapore
ARTIST RESIDENCIES
April 2019
Zentrum für Keramik Berlin, Artist in Residence, Germany
June 2019
Guldagergaard International Ceramic Research Center, Artist in Residence, Denmark
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
MARCH 2026
PAVILION Hong Kong, Yeo Workshop, H Queen’s, Hong Kong
NOVEMBER 2025
The Shorelines: Craft in Flux, Korea-Singapore Diplomatic Relations 50th Anniversary Exhibition, Villa Oasis Collective & Qloud Collective, Corner Gallery, Seoul, South Korea
NOVEMBER 2025
Inside the Dream of A Durian Seller, Vitrine Gallery by Yeo Workshop, OUE Downtown Gallery pop-up space, Singapore
OCTOBER 2025
Taoxichuan Spring and Autumn Art Fair – Exhibition, Jingdezhen Towyi Cultural Development Co, Jing De Zhen, China
SEPTEMBER 2025
Soft Infrastructures, Yeo Workshop, Art Galleries Association Singapore, OUE Downtown Gallery, Singapore
AUGUST 2025
‘Art Pops: Then, Now, Beyond’ in celebration of SG60, Yeo Workshop, Mandarin Gallery, Singapore
JANUARY 2025
ART SG [Art Fair], Yeo Workshop, Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore
DECEMBER 2024
Clay Affection, Pottery Expressions, Wana Wani Art Center, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
SEPTEMBER 2023
FIND Design Fair, Yeo Workshop, Art Galleries Association Singapore, Marina Bay Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore
MARCH 2023
New Makers-Curated by Siuli Tan, ATTA Gallery, Thailand
Jan 2023
ART SG [Art Fair], Yeo Workshop: From the Land of Gold, Below the Winds, In the South Seas, Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore
Jan 2023
Singapore Art Week- Worthington’s: An Informal Auction of Fine Art, Anak, Annex@Furama, Singapore
Jan 2023
Singapore Art Week- Sightseeing Sculpture: The Sky, The Land & The Sea, Shoebox Sculpture Biennale 2023, Sculpture 2052, Singapore
June 2022
Regeneration: Ways of Being- Artists Caravan, AC43 Gallery, Singapore
February 2022
Blended Tongue- Singapore and Paris at the table, This Humid House, Heureux Les Curieux, Paris
November 2021
Ornamental 瓖 (xiāng), Yeo Workshop, Gillman Barracks, Singapore
January 2021
Singapore Art Week- Creative Unions by Neighbourhood curatorial firm, Grafunkt, Funan Mall, Singapore
January 2020
Coda Culture New Space Opening Party Show, Coda Culture, 67 Aliwal St, Singapore
November 2019
Clay in Connection: Continuity- Art of Healing Programme, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
October 2019
Ceramic Exhibition- Philanthropic Programme, Changi General Hospital, Singapore
January 2019
Singapore Art Week- Orthodox, Your MOTHER Gallery, 91 Hindoo Rd, Singapore
July 2018
Vivid and Veiled- New Now II, Gajah Gallery, Tanjong Pagar Distripark, Singapore
December 2017
The Dung Beetle Project, Chan + Hori Contemporary, Gillman Barracks, Singapore
September 2017
IMPART Awards Best-In-Class Exhibition, Melati Ballroom, Marina Bay Sand, Expo Hall, Singapore
May 2017
The Grad Expectation, Graduation Show of Fine Arts and Design, Ngee Ann Kongsi Gallery, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
2023
Visting Artist- Singapore American School, Singapore
2021
Visiting Artist- (UWCSEA) United World College of South East Asia, Singapore
PARTICIPATION AND ASSISTANTSHIP
2018
Artist Assistant, Alvin Tan, The 8th Floor Creative Space, Yu Li Industrial Building, Singapore
Artist Assistant, Melissa Tan, Goodman Arts Centre, Singapore
2016
Assisted in Pit Firing and Gas Firing Process, Min Yue Pottery, Malaysia
Assisted in Wood Firing Process, Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle, Singapore
Exhibitors Assistant, Meng Collaboratives, Singaplural, Singapore
Judging Panelist for Children Art, Passion Art, Seng Kang Community Club, Singapore
Ceramic Art Instructor Assistant, Studio in Connection – Pottery Studio of Lim Hua Choon, Singapore
2015
Exhibitors Assistant, Min Yue Pottery, Bank Art Fair, Singapore
Instructor Assistant at Jalan Behar Clay Studio, Keppel Group, Singapore
RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE
2026
AMIS Instructor- The Imagination Programme, Pathlight
Ceramic AMIS Instructor- Edgefield Primary, Holy Innocent
Art Instructor at Bo Bo Fun Enrichment
2025
Art Instructor, Ceramic corporate workshops, ARUDIO Ceramics, Macpherson
Dragon Kiln Tour with Beacon Primary School, ARUDIO Ceramics, Jalan Bahar Clay studio,
Art Instructor at Bo Bo Fun Enrichment
Artist-In-School Scheme (AISS) – Ceramic Wall Mural, Keming Primary School
Museum Guide for National Gallery Field Trip, The Imagination Programme, Pathlight
AMIS Instructor- The Imagination Programme, Pathlight
Ceramic AMIS Instructor- Ngee Ann, Anchorgreen, Edgefield, Wellington, Yumin, West View, Woodlands, Beacon Primary School
AMIS Instructor (Jumping Clay)- Greendale Secondary School
Part-time Mandai Ranger Buddy Crew, Mandai Wildlife Group, Singapore Zoo & River Wonder
2024
Part-time Mandai Ranger Buddy Crew, Mandai Wildlife Group, Singapore Zoo & River Wonder
Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) Ceramic Art Workshops Holiday
NAC-AEP Ceramic Art instructor- Good Life Makan, Marine Terrace
Jumping Clay Workshop- Millenia Walk
AMIS Instructor (Ceramic)- Wellington, West View, Sembawang, Anchorgreen, Edgefield Primary School, Singapore
AMIS Instructor (Digital Art) Yumin Primary School, Singapore
NAC AEP Art Instructor (Chinese Ink Fan Painting), Tangjong Katong Girls’ School
ARUDIO Creative Drawing Art Instructor- Preschool E-bridge and Eton House Enrichment program, Singapore
2023
NAC AEP Art Instructor- Care Corner INSIGHT (Pottery), Bukit View Secondary School (Chinese Ink Painting), Singapore
ARUDIO Pottery and Creative Drawing Art Instructor- Preschool E-bridge and Eton House Enrichment program, Singapore
Corporate workshops and Studio classes instructor- ARUDIO, 8th Floor Ceramics Studio, Singapore
AMIS Instructor- St Stephen, Edgefield, Teck Ghee, Princess Elizabeth (Drawing), West View and Catholic High Primary School (Mosaic), Singapore
Art Instructor- MINDS Fernvale (Pottery), Singapore
2022
Ceramic AMIS Instructor, North Spring, St Stephen, Haig Girls and Edgefield Primary School, Singapore
Ceramic Instructor, Autism Resource Centre, Pathlight School, Singapore
Ceramic AMIS Instructor, Shu Qun Primary School, Singapore
2021
Ceramic AMIS Instructor, Edgefield Primary School, Singapore
2019
Ceramic AMIS Instructor, Shu Qun Primary School, Singapore
2018
Ceramic AMIS Instructor, Teck Ghee Primary School, Singapore
Ceramic Studio Art Instructor, Arudio, Primz Bizhub, Singapore
Gajah Gallery Internship, Tanjong Pagar Distripark, Singapore
2017
Ceramic Studio Art Instructor, Arudio, Primz Bizhub, Singapore
Ceramic Studio Internship, The 8th Floor Creative Space, Yu Li Industrial Building, Singapore
2015
Ceramic Art Instructor, Geylang Methodist, Holy Innocent, River Vale, Xin Hua and Seng Kang Primary School, Singapore
Print Making Art Instructor, Passion Art Activities for Community, Elias Community Centre, Singapore
Shayne Phua 