A pioneering Malaysian artist in abstract expressionism, the late Tang Tuck Kan was granted the British Commonwealth Fulbright Scholarship in his early years, allowing him to pursue his fine arts education at Saint Martin's School of Art (now part of the University of Arts, London) in the UK, successfully graduating in 1966.

As a passionate academician and educator, Tang served as a senior art teacher at St. John's Institution, Kuala Lumpur, and later as a lecturer at the Institut Teknologi MARA (ITM), now known as Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). Notable Malaysian artists who were once his students include Ismail Latiff and Anuar Rashid. Tang also co-founded the Malaysian Institute of Art (MIA) and the Kuala Lumpur College of Art (KLCA), playing a major role in promoting the local art scene.

Tang held solo exhibitions in 1971, 1976, and 1977 and was invited to exhibit at prestigious events such as the 10th São Paulo Art Biennial in Brazil (1969), Expo '70 in Osaka, Japan, and several exhibitions in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In the 1960s and 70s, Tang expanded his artistic horizon to abstract expressionism, incorporating the Chinese I-Ching philosophy of “Yin & Yang” and the harmony of the universe in his mixed media artworks. Tang’s masterpiece - "49 Squares"- is part of the permanent National Art Gallery of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur collection.