Ng Foo Cheong’s art acts as a metaphor for the persistent cultural significance of ancient civilizations throughout the ages, and continuing in the contemporary world. Over centuries of both destruction and development, war and political transformations great civilizations spread power throughout the world, leaving a complex and fascinating legacy of not only military and social advances, but cultural evolution. It is through this window – that of art and architecture, music and literature – that Cheong’s art examines the past. In his “Dynasty Series”, he creates intricately abstract works with a truly eastern aesthetic. Contrasting a contemporary, expressionistic use of media with ornamental details and colors that evoke the magnificence of a tremendous empire, Cheong engenders a unique dialogue between the art of past and present cultures. Born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Cheong received his degree in Fine Arts, and has participated in numerous exhibitions throughout Malaysia. His art has also been displayed in shows in London, Stockholm, Brussels, New York, West Indies, Korea, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore & Australia.


Agora Gallery
Soho . Chelsea . New York City

ARTIST STATEMENT

Over centuries, great civilizations mushroomed across the world. Some dwindled barely leaving historical remnants while others continued preserving ancient heritage and customs. Although history books tend to emphasize on the political and military power of these civilizations, there is also richness and significance in their cultural legacy which art can be oblivious to. It is in this wealth of cultural fervor that art and artworks can be enriched with much valuable information and a different view of the past. And it is in this we realize the innate force possessed by art and artworks (be it crafts, paintings, architecture, sculpture, theater, literature, or music), assigned these civilizations an affluent historical and cultural identity.

This is where the “Dynasty Series” begins.

It is a visual representation in the metaphor relaying cultural, historical and even anthropological significance of our great ancient civilizations. In the layers of paint, forms, colors, symbols, images and texture, the canvas becomes the plane to reverberate the past. It is a living surface wherein, art can explore new territories, develop new subject and produce constructive meaning.

Long established as a professional fine artist in the South East Asia region, Kuala Lumpur born Ng Foo Cheong has industriously created exclusive paintings and artworks of outstanding quality and merit.

Over the years, Cheong’s artworks have made an indelible presence in this region, and internationally. Its impact has been advantageous to the development of Modern Asian Art. This achievement has been a benefit to the region’s long established art market, especially among prominent art galleries and art collectors in South East Asia. While so, this point of reference has positioned Cheong in the international arena of who’s who in 20th Century Asian Art. Today, his paintings are displayed in Thailand, Japan, Singapore, Europe, London, New York and the West Indies.

In last five years or so, an exciting development occurred in the artist’s oeuvre. Known for his abstract expressionist style, Cheong has taken this particular key signature towards an extraordinary distinction and stature. His subject is still Asian, only this time, vividly historical and cultural in subject with panache uncontestable. Cheong’s paintings have in an insentience manner, and yet deliberately, brought Asian Art out of the 20th century into the 21st. He has cleverly masterminded a formula for Asian Art to conquer the new century with new artistic ingenuity.

While sophistication and dynamism bath the surface of his canvases, and while craftsmanship is meticulous and ritualistic, one might ask how and what inspired this artist genius to reach this zenith?

Cheong is an ardent world-class traveler. From adventures experienced, he accumulates memoirs of places and faces, of culture and history, of human life, nature and our environment. These encounters are chronicled and transformed into a melodious expression of forms, vibrant colors, ornamentation, motifs, pulsating layers of paints, rhythms, emotions, symbols, myth and legends; a symphony of artistic grandeur; an autobiography of what it is to be truly Asian.

Ng Foo Cheong’s painting are more than conversational pieces over a cup of tea. They bring Asia to your home, art into your living space, mystical beauty before your eyes.

Remarkable. Invaluable.



Angelina Chong
Art Historian and Art Educator