Profile
Dissertation topic: To Occupy a Different Space of Mind – Investigating the connection between socio-cultural and historical contexts and the positioning of the self in the studio art practice of the Post Eighty Generation student artists at the Central Academy of Fine Art in Beijing, China”.
One and a half years of teaching experience in graduate sculpture and mixed media courses in Teachers College focusing on experimental and student-centered cross media approach in studio art practice. Five years of graduate assistance experience in ceramic studio in Teachers College, Columbia University. Ten years of teaching experience in Studio Art, eight years of practical experience in graphic design and school administrative experience with the Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) in Singapore.
Education
2007 Spring to 2012 Fall
Education Doctor in College Teaching (ABD)
Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, U.S.A.
1996 Fall
Master of Fine Arts, Major in Painting & Drawing
Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York, USA.
1993 Fall
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Painting & Drawing, Minor in Music
University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA.
Group and Solo Exhibition *
2013 January
Reality: A Group Show
New Century Gallery, Chelsea, New York.
2012 January
Cross Media Studio
Macy Gallery, Teachers College, Columbia University, NY.
2011 April
Teachers College International Students Art Exhibition
Macy Gallery, Teachers College, Columbia University, NY.
Studio Student Exhibition: Printmaking, Ceramics and Photography
Macy Gallery, Teachers College, Columbia University, NY.
2010 November
he Myers Art Prizes 2010 Exhibition
Macy Gallery, Teachers College, Columbia University, NY.
2010 September
Dialectal Dialectic: An exhibition of alternative practices of contemporary art within Chinese speaking regions, showcasing the artwork of three artists Chia-Ling Lee (Taiwan), Hong Wan Tham (Malaysia/Singapore) and Jun Gao (Mainland China)
Macy Gallery, Teachers College, Columbia University, NY.
2010 April
Studio Student Exhibition: Printmaking, Ceramics and Photography
Macy Gallery, Teachers College, Columbia University, NY.
2010 January
Studio Practices (Juried Exhibition)
Macy Gallery, Teachers College, Columbia University, NY.
2009 November
Studio Student Exhibition: Printmaking, Ceramics and Photography
Macy Gallery, Teachers College, Columbia University, NY.
2009 May
Ceramics and Sculpture Exhibition, Spring Semester 2009
Macy Gallery, Teachers College, Columbia University, NY.
2008 May
Ceramics and Sculpture Exhibition, Spring Semester 2008
Macy Gallery, Teachers College, Columbia University, NY.
2007 May
Ceramics and Sculpture Exhibition, Spring Semester 2007
Macy Gallery, Teachers College, Columbia University, NY.
1997 May
1997 International Printmaking Fanfare, Guest Artist
Raffles Foyer Gallery, Nanyang Technological University
National Institute of Education, Singapore
1997 November
Thesis Show – Quest (Installation)
Cage Gallery, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY.
Publications
Gazette/Department Newsletter February 29, 2012. Spotlight On Art and Art Education Instructor and Ed.D.CT Candidate Hong Wan Tham. Interview, by Amy Lombard.
To Occupy a Different Space of Mind – Investigating the connection between socio-cultural and historical contexts and the positioning of the self in the studio art practice of the Post Eighty Generation student artists at the Central Academy of Fine Art in Beijing, China”.
Awards and Scholarships
2011 Spring Visiting Artist, Teachers College
2007 Summer – 2011 Summer Teachers College Graduate Assistantship
2010 The Myers Art Prizes 2010
2010 Arthur W. Dow Scholarship
2007 – 2010 Teachers College Minority Scholarship
Employment History
Teachers College, Columbia University, New York
2011 Sep – Present Adjunct Sculpture Instructor
2011 Jan Visiting Artist
2007 Sep – 2011 Aug Graduate Assistant (Ceramics)
Whitney Museum, New York
2009 – 2012 Freelance Docent for the Senior Open Access Day
Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), Singapore
1998 – 2006 Teacher (Art), Venture Scout Leader
2004 – 2006 Teacher (Philosophy of Disciplines & Individual Study Option)
2003 Coach (Odyssey of the Mind, National & International Level)
Teaching Record
Tertiary Level
Introduction to Sculpture and Mixed Media
Advanced Sculpture and Mixed Media
Studio Work – Art/Education: Sculpture and Mixed Media
• Teach and advice graduate students on aesthetics and selected technical skills in sculpting
• Write course syllabi that facilitate peer-learning and student-centered approach in studio art practice
• Invite guest artists for workshops and sharing sessions
• Curate exhibition show casing art works by the students
• Research for resources; order, maintain, and keep inventory in the studio
• Redesign, reorganize and augment the use of studio space to accommodate a more experimental and cross media oriented course syllabus
• Open up sculpture studio space and selected resources to students who are taking other studio courses to generate more cross media dialogues within the program
Cross Media in Studio Art Practice
• Facilitate meetings, critique and discussion sessions that generate conversation among students who are interested in experimenting with cross media approach of art making
• Organize workshops on life casting, encaustic painting, paper making, and 3D modeling software
• Organize excursions to museums and the Materials for the Arts
• Curate Cross Media Group exhibition show casing the experimental works from the students
Ceramics – Graduate Assistant
• Advised students on aesthetics and technical skills on hand building, wheel throwing, and glazing
• Prepared recycled clays and glazes, fired electric and gas kilns
• Maintained the smooth running and uninterrupted accessibility for students to the resources in the studio
Video Editing and Chinese Conversational Language Instructor – Summer Program in Beijing
• Given aesthetics and technical advice to students on video editing projects
• Organized and supervised field trips
• Taught conversational Chinese Language class for non-native speakers
• Liaised between the program instructors from the United States and Mexico and the locals of Beijing
Secondary Level
Art
• Wrote syllabi and taught drawing and design for secondary one and two
• Wrote syllabi and taught studio art for secondary three and four (both GCE “O” Level and Pre-IB tracks)
• Mentored “O” Level projects on two dimensional, three dimensional, digital and communication designs
Philosophy of Disciplines (Pre-IB)
• Tutored introductory to philosophy
Individual Study Option (Pre-IB)
• Tutored and supervised students on research writing papers
Scouts and Venture Scouts
• In-charged of the administrative works for the venture scouts and facilitated scouting skill learning and test sessions for both the scouts and venture scouts
• Supervised the organization and execution of ACS (Independent) Venture Scout Annual Gangshow and Annual Hike to Malaysia
• Conducted scouting skill tests organized by the Singapore Scout Association for the President Scout Award Exams candidates
Odyssey of the Mind Coach (National and Inter-National Level, 2003), Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)
• Co-couched the school team on problem solving #5
• Led the same team to the Inter-National Odyssey of the Mind Competition in Iowa, U.S.A.
Selected Professional Training in Education prior to Teachers College, Columbia University
2005
GCE “O” & “N” Level Pedagogy Workshop (Ministry of Education, Art Unit, Singapore);
GCE “O” & “N” Level Assessment Workshop (Ministry of Education, Art Unit, Singapore)
2004
Theory of Knowledge Workshop by Dr. Vivek R. Bammi, Jakarta International School (Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), Singapore)
2003
International Baccalaureate Seminar (Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), Singapore);
Deconstructivism – A Simple Guide (Singapore Polytechnics, Singapore);
Pre-IB Training on Philosophy of Disciplines (POD), Theory of Knowledge (TOK) Creativity. Action and Service (CAS), Individual Study Option (ISO);
and Extended Essay (EE) (Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), Singapore)
2002
Managing Students with Emotional Behavioral Needs by Dr Daniel Fong (Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), Singapore);
Identifying and Managing the Emotions of Your Child (Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), Singapore);
The Art of Possibilities: Transforming Professional and Personal Life by Benjamin Zander (Ministry of Education, Singapore)
Workshop on International Baccalaureate (Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), Singapore);
Odyssey of the Mind – Training for Coaches (Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), Singapore)
2001
Improving Inter-Disciplinary Work in School (Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), Singapore)
2000
Animation / Video Editing (Nanyang Polytechnics, Singapore)
1999
Basic Approaches to Teaching Skills in Looking at Art (Singapore Art Museum);
Beyond Tradition – Arts Education for the New Millenium by Anri Graham (Ministry of Education, Art Unit, Singapore);
IT in Education (Seminar)
1998
Workshop on Developmental Approach to Teaching Art (Ministry of Education, Art Unit, Singapore)
Training in Scouting as a Co-Curricular Activities Instructor
2005
Scout Instructor Course (The Singapore Scout Association);
Venture Cord Hike Examiner Workshop and On-Job-Training (The Singapore Scout Association)
2000
First Aid Course for Scout Leaders (The Singapore Scout Association);
Adult Leaders Pioneering Course (The Singapore Scout Association)
1999
Unit Leader Training Introductory Course (The Singapore Scout Association);
Unit Leader Training Basic Course (The Singapore Scout Association);
Basic Management Course (The Singapore Scout Association)