Hong Sek Chern | Beginning of (1)

Courtesy of the artist and Art-2 Gallery

Hong Sek Chern is recognised for her distinctive experimentation within the traditional medium of Chinese ink painting. Through the masterful use of lines and perspective, she has created a unique pictorial language that merges multiple spaces within a single image. She has explored different ways of interpreting urban settings by juxtaposing the old with the new, interior and exterior, as well as the real and the imagined. Beginning of (1) is part of a series of paintings that ruminate on the notion of liminal spaces. Two bands of coloured strips are collaged on a mostly monochromatic ink painting. These apertures suggest an alternative vision of the same space, seen through the lens of imagination and possibility.

Hong was recipient of the Young Artist Award from the National Arts Council, Singapore in 2000, and selected to participate in the President Young Artist Show organised by Singapore Art Museum in 2001. She represented Singapore at the 25^th Sao Paolo Biennale in 2002 and the 5^th International Ink Painting Biennial of Shenzhen in 2006.