Pearlyn Tan is a Singapore-born visual artist based in Portland, Oregon. Her practice explores transformation, instinct, and our relationship to the natural world, moving between personal experience and close observation of natural forms and processes. Rooted in printmaking, she works across a range of materials and mediums, often embracing experimentation, chance, and the unexpected qualities of materials as integral parts of her practice.
With a background in advertising, art direction, and hair design, Tan came to fine art through a self-directed practice. She has exhibited nationally and abroad and has completed residencies at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts and Baer Art Center in Iceland. Her work has received awards and grants from organizations including Art About Agriculture and the Regional Arts & Culture Council. Her work can be found in private collections and in the public collections of Portland, Beaverton, and Oregon State University. Tan is also a member of the Washington State Arts Commission Public Artist Roster and teaches printmaking workshops in Portland.
