Artist Spotlight:
JENNIFER TAN

Born in Kuala Terengannu, Malaysia, Jennifer Tan is a self-taught artist who developed her own abstract style of conveying spiritual messages in tangible art forms. She combines her bold character and mastery of the paintbrush into sophisticated works that carry a daring, yet elegant voice.

She loves to paint to honour the Creator and hopes her art can add value to people’s lives. Her creative mission is 'Revealing Love’ through spiritual messages in art.

When asked how art speaks to her, she says, “Humans are storytellers. Art does that in abundance with perspectives, emotions and vibrancy. It allows me to feel as though I’m part of a story as I seek out what the artist is saying, yet I’m able to reply in my own way.”

Art for Jennifer is a deeply personal affair rather than a money-making pursuit. She strongly believes in “being authentic, not market-driven'“ and “not pandering to themes that are not me”.

She has been syndicated internationally at the Stanley Municipal Hall Hong Kong, Art Singapore, Seni Art Gallery Kuala Lumpur, The Refinery Art Gallery Kuala Lumpur and already as had the honour of two solo exhibitions.

Jennifer also has a heart for nurturing young artists. She pioneered the Artrepreneur Programme designed to mentor and teach emerging new artists. She feels inspired when she empowers others to paint and become more confident in their skills. She sometimes organizes exhibitions for fellow artists around Asia as part of this passionate commitment.

Her advice to aspiring artists?
1) Don’t worry what people think of your art as not everyone will appreciate it.
2) Don’t just paint what people like.
3) Get a mentor!

But Jennifer’s success in art did not come easy. It was a long and tumultuous journey to get to where she is now. She shares with us her testimony of how she found her creative calling in life after finding her saviour Jesus Christ:

“After my dad passed away when I was 10 years old, I felt an overwheIming sense of loss and I could not live in my small hometown anymore. I left to study in Singapore. As I was so young, I had to learn to be independent and had to grow up very fast. After I finished my A-Levels I joined Cathay Pacific airlines and moved to Hong Kong.

I got married at 22 years and by the time I was 27 I had two sons. To the world, I had everything a girl could ask for: two beautiful boys, a loving husband and a job that let me fly around the world. But despite all this I felt empty, unfulfilled and unhappy….and I didn't know why?!

For three years, I sought help by seeing a counsellor. She told me that I have to look at the deep rooted issues that affected me when I was young. But this brought little solace to my unhappiness. I then tried exploring new age spirituality to fix my marriage and emptiness. Due to my job I travelled a lot, so I visited a clairvoyant in Australia, a fortune teller in Bangkok, as well as seeking peace through meditation in Japan.

Like the Hokkien saying goes, "I try every sin except hosin". I loved shopping, and during my travels I did a great deal of retail therapy. Shoes and handbags were my weakness and I ended up spending a small fortune on them. I would shop the whole day with other cabin crew in Paris or London, but when I got back to my hotel room I would close the door and feel incredibly down and lonely. Despite seeking different religions and 'gods' to fix my marriage and emptiness, I still got divorced after 15 years of marriage.

I praise and thank God that the Lord Jesus Christ restored me to wholeness and joy. I am now married to Jonny who loves God. Jonny is my husband, soul mate and the love of my life. He is not only a wonderful stepdad to my two adult sons but also their good friend. He too is my best friend. When we came to KL we came back to Jesus, and we currently serve together in SIBKL church. Even though my life is not trouble free, I can give thanks to God that I am more than a conqueror through Christ.

I never knew how God could use my brokenness for His glory, but as I allowed the process of healing to take place over the last 10 years, I see clearly my God-given calling now - through the artistic gifts I've been blessed with, He uses my  paintings to speak life to others.”

Jennifer’s testimony is indeed an encouraging reminder that we all can be “more than conquerors” when we have Christ.