About Eric WH Chin
Eric WH Chin was born in Malaysia in 1978, and his given name is Wee Hong. He adopted the name “Eric” after he began working and living in Australia.
As an artist passionate about creative expression, Eric WH Chin infuses his artistic pursuits with sensitivity and an astute observation of his surroundings.
Eric has a keen interest in portraying the human form. Portraiture and figurative painting serve as avenues for him to explore emotions, expressions, and the intricacies of the human experience.
He also draws inspiration from his environment and the expansive beauty of nature. With a particular fondness for animals, birds often feature as his favourite subject matter.
Eric works primarily in oil and watercolour. In oil, he embraces the luscious, buttery nature of the paint, creating works mainly with painting knives in an impasto style. Many of these pieces are completed in a single session (i.e., alla prima). He is equally drawn to the intricacy of watercolour and the sense of relinquishing control, allowing the medium itself to guide the outcome of the painting.
Awards/ Achievements
- 2023 - Art Gallery of South Australia - The Waterhouse Natural History Art Prize (2003) - Finalist
- 2026 - Australian Broadcasting Corporation - Portrait Artist of the Year - Top 3 Artist in Season 2 Episode 1 and the artwork selected and owned by Dannii Minogue
Education
Eric holds a Bachelor’s degree (Honours) and a PhD in Chemical Engineering, and he does not have formal training in art. Although he has attended classes to learn from other artists, he has honed his skills predominantly through self‑discovery, experimentation, and active engagement in life‑drawing and plein‑air painting sessions.
Exhibition
- Art Gallery of South Australia – The Waterhouse Natural History Art Prize (2003)
- Hawthorn Artist Society – Spring Salon Exhibition (2024, 2025)
- Victorian Artists Society – Spring Select Exhibition (2025)
- Victorian Artists Society – Summer Exhibition (2025)
- Victorian Artists Society – Autumn Select Exhibition (2026)
- Victorian Artists Society – Winter Select Exhibition (2026)
- Victorian Artists Society – New Member Exhibition (2026)
- Victorian Artists Society – Portrait Exhibition (2026)
- Victorian Artists Society – Edward Heffernan Drawing Exhibition (2026)
- Nightingale Gallery – Queer Nights at Nightingale (2026)