KUCHING: Hoan Gallery, located at La Promenade Mall in Kuching, has announced its next solo art show, which will feature over 50 oil paintings titled “Dialouge With Our Nature” by Bong Choo Chew.
The exhibition which will showcase the artist’s exceptional skill and deep appreciation for nature, including never-seen-before works, will run for three weeks starting from May 13, will be free for all to view, and all pieces will be available for purchase.
According to a press release, Bong, one of the founders of the Sarawak Artists Society (SAS), has produced 50 oil paintings over the past decade, which is considered rare in Sarawak.
“The artist, who is also a graduate of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore, specialises in water colour, Chinese brush, and batik techniques.
“However, in the 1990s, he began working with oil paint, creating his own distinctive style that incorporates impressionism and abstracts. His art is imbued with the universal truths of Zen, Taiji, Yin Yang, Buddhism, and Taoism,” the release stated.
Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Sebastian Ting will declare open the art show while the guest list includes past SAS presidents, business leaders and university students.
“The artist has requested that 70 percent of the proceeds go to charities of his choice,” it said.
Meanwhile Hoan Gallery’s director, Hoan Kee Huang, said the exhibition is a testament to Bong’s belief that ‘we must collectively take care of our environment as we only have one Earth’.
He added that the gallery aims to show a combination of skills that Bong possesses that can take one’s breath away, as well as very contemplative and peaceful pieces.
This will be Hoan Gallery’s second solo show of the year, with the previous one, Alena Murang’s “Colours Of The Highlands,” outperforming expectations.
About 70 percent of her artworks, including large format ones, were purchased by buyers from Spain, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Miri, and Kuching.
La Promenade Mall’s digital marketing manager, Sophia Ong, said the gallery had exceeded expectations this year, with more home buyers purchasing art and as a community mall, it brings them great satisfaction that local art is becoming commercially viable, and local artists are making money from their passion.
For more information, visit hoangallery.com, lapromenademall.com.my, or search @HoanArtGallery and @LaPromenadeMall on social media.
