Hong Tatt Foo

Internationally known artist, Foo Hong Tatt, born in Penang, Malaysia, was awarded a scholarship to the United States in 1960. After obtaining his MA degree from University of Illinois, he taught art in New York, Singapore American School, International School of Tanganyika in Tanzania, the Art Works in New Jersey, Zhuhai and Yunan University, China.  He exhibited in many countries including Malaysia, Singapore, Tanzania, United States, Bolivia and China.

Born in Penang, Malaysia, Foo Hong Tatt is an internationally known artist. His paintings are in many public and private collections around the world including Malaysia, Singapore, Europe, Japan, Korea, Tanzania, The Contemporary Museum of Bolivia, Santa Cruz, Bolivia, the National Art Gallery of Malaysia, the National Museum and Art Gallery of Singapore.

In 1960 he was awarded a full scholarship from the Institute of International Education to study art in the United States. After receiving his BFA (with High Honors) from the University of Illinois, he returned to Malaysia where he exhibited extensively and gained much recognition and success.

In 1966 Foo was awarded a Teaching Assistantship and Fellowship to study for his Masters degree in Art Education at the University of Illinois. After graduation, Foo taught Art at Commack High School in Long Island, New York and was promoted to head the Art Department after a few years.  He exhibited widely in many group and solo shows in Long Island and New York City.

In 1975, he took two years leave of absence from the school to teach at the American School in Singapore.  During that time he exhibited extensively in Malaysia and Singapore.

After his retirement from Commack High School in 1995, Foo went to Africa and as Head of the Creative Arts Faculty, art at the International School of Tanganyika, Tanzania (East Africa).   During the two years there he conducted many art workshops in Nairobi, Kenya, and in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. He had solo exhibitions at the German Cultural Center (Goethe Institut) and the American Cultural Center in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.

In  1997, Foo had a solo show in his hometown, Penang, Malaysia. In 2000, Foo went back to Malaysia and had another show.  At that time a book on him:  ”Foo Hong Tatt---Paradise Regained” was published by Dr. Tan Chee Khuan, Owner/Director of The Penang Art Gallery.

From 2000 - 2002, Foo was a faculty member and director of  portfolio preparation/studio art program for high school students at Artworks, a visual art school in Trenton, New Jersey.  He also volunteered his time teaching art once a week at the Senior Center in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, USA.

In April 2003 he had a retrospective show at the Pinang Gallery, sponsored by the Penang Art Museum, Penang, Malaysia. A second book of his works “ Poetic Impulse and Fragrance of Spirituality” was published.

In 2003-2004 Foo had three Solo Shows in Yunan University and Zuhai, Quandong Province, while teaching in China.

In 2006 Foo returned to Singapore for another solo Show at the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

Visit Hong's site at www.foogallery.com