DREAMS AWAIT

Ng Yak Whee: A Creative Journey

Born in Singapore with an honours bachelor’s degree in biology from Nanyang University, Singapore (1979), Ng developed a passion for creating art from an early age. Following graduation, he answered an inner calling and embarked on the path of becoming a professional artist.

Unique Artistic Style
Ng Yak Whee’s artistic style bears the influence of Russian-French artist Marc Chagall, representing a departure from Impressionism, Cubism, and Abstract Expressionism. Proficient in various mediums such as oil, acrylic, ink painting, cartogravures, and photography, Ng’s paintings defy the traditional single perspective by seamlessly integrating multiple viewpoints within the same image. The outcome is a dream-like imagery, characterised by a personal style and distinctive colour sensibilities. Ng is known for eschewing drafts, creating works spontaneously, a process that art critic Umberto Eco describes as “L’oeuvre Ouverte” or “open work.” This approach often incorporates elements of disorder, chance, and indeterminacy in the artistic process, navigating the delicate balance between control and serendipity. As a result, Ng’s landscapes and subjects frequently feature shapes that are later transformed and unraveled by colour and other visual elements. This open-ended quality invites the artist’s subjective experiences to intertwine with the viewers’ personal associations and memories of the subject matter.

Freedom and Expression in Art
Central to Ng Yak Whee’s art is the concept of freedom. Works do not adhere to fixed themes or symbols, seamlessly blending figuration and abstraction. The resulting imagery, whether representing reality or existing purely in the realm of imagination, transcends conventional expression. It invites viewers to explore modes of communication beyond the confines of objects and images, offering ample space for personal interpretation and imagination.

The Poetic Language of Art
Poetry plays a pivotal role in artistic expression, with colour and abstraction forming the backbone of the poetic language. Each painting resembles a poem, with ever-changing forms and meanings infused with a gentle, dreamlike beauty.

A Life Pursuing Artistic Dreams
Life, for Ng Yak Whee, mirrors the essence of a dream. Upon completing university education, Ng courageously and resolutely embarked on a journey to pursue artistic dreams. Over forty years have passed in the blink of an eye, during which he devoted most of life to freely expressing an inner world through the medium of painting. Throughout the artistic journey, Ng steadfastly avoided getting swept up by trends or indulgences. Instead, he remained committed, sincere, and unwavering in the complex and tumultuous realm of contemporary art.

Wang Chong Xue: An Artistic Journey

Wang Chong Xue was born in Meishan, Sichuan, in 1974. He pursued his academic journey in the realm of fine arts from 1995 to 1999 at the Academy of Fine Arts of Sichuan Normal University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree. Continuing his pursuit of art, he obtained a master’s degree from the Academy of Art at Sichuan University between 2003 and 2006. His artistic path was significantly influenced by the renowned Cheng Cong Lin, a stalwart and leader in the realm of Chinese contemporary art. Today, Wang Chong Xue holds the esteemed position of a distinguished professor at Sichuan Film and Television Academy.

A Global Collection of Art
Wang Chong Xue’s remarkable works have transcended borders, finding homes in various prestigious collections across the globe. His art is celebrated and cherished by institutions such as Art Museums, as well as private collectors and professional art organisations. These collections span countries including Chengdu, Germany, Shanghai, Taiwan, the United States, and more.

Exploring the Uncharted
For Wang Chong Xue, art serves as an unending expedition into uncharted territories. His creative journey consistently revolves around the exploration of unique artistic languages and modes of expression. Wang frequently challenges himself by deliberately placing constraints and boundaries to break through and surpass his own creative limits. After over a decade of painstaking refinement, Wang pioneered an entirely novel artistic language – the “transparency” technique. This innovation subtly intertwines three postmodern concepts: mechanical reproduction, collage, and appropriation. Wang’s brilliance shines through in his application of this highly contemporary “transparency” technique, which rejuvenates traditional Chinese visual imagery in the context of modern mass consumption and culture.