Over the years, Chong has developed a diverse practice within the tradition of lens-based media. His practice is renowned for its consideration of abstract concepts of life & death through banal details and silent landscapes. In this latest series, Chong delves deeper into these concepts, exploring themes of fragility, change, impermanence and decay. At a personal level, the series also serves as Chong’s comprehension of his own mortality, having recently turned 40.
In I Dim The Sun So That Dusk Arrives Earlier, Chong engages the notion of ‘pharmaceutical numbness’ through a suite of piezography prints with wilted flowers as its subject matter. The prints manifest an aesthetic quality that seemingly suggest artificialness via the unique tonal depth of piezography ink. The ink reflects and diffracts light in very unique ways – creating a sumptuous, velvety quality. Compared to his previous 2018 series – Mud & Mashed Hydrangea Leaves and Salad of Dandelion Greens – the current body of works are purposefully shrouded in darkness as a conceptual strategy. However, as a sophisticated monochromatic ink, piezography effectively render darkness as highlights and shadows are greatly expanded, enabling a unique
ability to render smooth tones. From this process, qualities of photography and painting are intertwined, creating a sense of the surreal and uncertainty for viewers.
The exhibition features 12 new piezography works on washi torinoko paper.
Venue: Richard Koh Fine Art, Blk 47 Malan Road, 01-26 Gillman Barracks, Singapore 109444
When: 12 - 27 Apr 2019,
