LAKELAND (Jan. 11, 2013) – An acclaimed artist who bridges East and West with works full of symbolism will open an exhibition at Florida Southern College’s Melvin Gallery next week.

Laurens Tan will be present at an opening reception at 7 p.m. Jan. 18 for “Laurens Tan: Chinese Contemporary Artist,” an exhibition of some of his recent works. Also present will be Tally Beck and A.J. Wilkerson from Tally Beck Contemporary in New York, Tan’s American dealer.

Tan also will give an artist’s talk at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 18 in the Gallery. The reception and the artist’s talk are free and open to the public. The exhibition will remain on display through Feb. 22.

Tan is a Dutch-born artist based in Sydney and Beijing. He was trained as an art educator at the South Australian Art School, and his work as a painter and ceramicist were soon recognized. In 2006-08 he was awarded a series of grants from the Australia-China Council beginning with residencies in Beijing, where he now runs a full-time studio. His recent work has been exhibited around the world.

Tan works in multiple media, sculpture and prints, all of which contain references to and symbols of language, design, and technology. His sculptural work is done mostly in fiberglass and enamel, often referencing kitschy figures such as mass-produced toys. His art deconstructs traditional visual identity, language, and customs.

Dr. Tan is an Artist in Residence at the Centre for Creative Arts, as well as an Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia.

Dr. James Rogers, professor of art history at Florida Southern, said, “Laurens Tan is one of the biggest names in contemporary Chinese art. He brings a creative and cosmopolitan perspective to the rapid transformation that is taking place in China today.”

The Melvin Gallery at Florida Southern College is located next to Branscomb Auditorium on campus. It is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday while school is in session. There is no admission charge.