Chang Yoong Chia graduated from the Malaysian Institute of Art in 1996 with a Diploma of Fine Art in Painting.
Chang explores different kinds of materials but with the sensibility of a painter. Chang’s works ranging from paintings on canvases, painted animal and plant remains and household objects, stamp collages and embroidery explore wide-ranging topics such as politics, religion and culture and nature. The repeated gestures and complex methods reflect a commitment with craft in which the labour adds another layer of meaning to the work. Placing an importance on the material, he believes that each medium has its own characteristics and symbolism thus new interpretations are conjured when found or mundane objects are transformed in an almost alchemical fashion.
Chang is a foundling member of Spacekraft, an artist run space and helped organized community art activities such as Chow Kit Fest in 2002 and Sungai Lembing Community Art Project in 2009. He has exhibited in various exhibitions including the 3rd Fukuoka Asian Art Triennale, Open Sea in Musee d’Art Contemporain du Lyon, France, Journey in Israel Museum, Welcome to the Jungle in Yokohama Museum of Art & Contemporary Art Museum Kumamoto, Japan. He is a finalist in the APT Signature Art Prize 2011. His works are collected by the Singapore Art Museum, Gwangju City Art Museum, Korea Central Bank of Malaysia and the National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur held his mid-career survey show in 2018.
