Ben Chong See Wai

Ben Chong is a contemporary artist based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, whose interests span across advertising, interior design, and fine arts painting. As a graduate from Malaysia Institute of Arts and have participated in numerous open and group art exhibition in Malaysia and abroad, his inspiration derives from mother nature and human nature. His works have been collected by the Museum of Korea as well as important private collectors from Europe, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. Chong conveys his encounter with mother nature and human nature through the interpretation of his own feelings of lyrical abstraction. These feelings have become a major source of inspiration for the creation of his own canvases that transcend both nature and the human nature. Chong’s paintings incorporate a strong sense of craftsmanship that emphasize on strokes by palette knives. Painting is a medium capable of expressing emotions and feelings where Chong has immersed himself in Traditional Chinese culture to obtain some philosophical insight. To quote the Chinese philosopher Zhong Zhi, “By discovering nature, you will discover yourself.”

His current series — Optimism — is both the result and the opposite of his previous series Autism. Optimism has a utopian element attached to it and has a more positive direction/point of view. This series focuses on mother nature and the human nature. Ben Chong combines Chinese and Western influences to convey the sensation of a journey through natural wonders. To achieve these imaginative paintings, the artist has undertaken a journey through many landscapes both real and imaginary, from his early figurative paintings to his current near abstractions.

His previous series — Autism — is a tribute to our expression of human nature, inspired by his own son: “We are always searching for the perfect person. Why not learn to see imperfect individuals as perfect?” Life does indeed favor those who see things differently. In this way, autistic children are very unique: they get to experience the world in a very different way. They can listen to the sound of mother nature, hear the bees buzzing and feel incredible emotions flowing from those who care for them. Most people don’t understand them. Nevertheless, this group of autistic children have feelings, they think and have emotions, they simply act in very different ways. They have difficulties creating social and emotional connections. They have difficulties using and understanding gestures or facial expressions. They are special, they are awesome, they are kind, they are compassionate and caring. Autistic children look just like us on the surface, but they are much more complicated beneath.

Solo Exhibition

2010 – Journey of Art -First Solo Art exhibition, The AOFS Art Gallery, Malaysia
2010 – Solo Art exhibition, Artseni Gallery, Malaysia
2012 – Solo Art exhibition, The AOFS Art Gallery, Malaysia
2017 – Autism Series – First oversea solo Exhibition, La Mer Gallery, Seoul, Korea
2020 – Solo Art exhibition, BC – Gallery , Malaysia

Group Exhibitions
2010 – “Collector’s collection” by Penang Art Society, Malaysia

2011 – 45th International Culture Art Exhibition, Seoul , Korea
2012 – 46th International Culture Art Exhibition, Seoul , Korea
2013 – 47th Asia Art Invitation Art Exhibition, Seoul, Korea
2014 – 48th Asia Art Invitation Art Exhibition, Seoul, Korea
2014 – Worked on Autism Kid art project with Tourism Malaysia and Power of love, Malaysia
2015 – Worked on Autism Kid art project with Power of Love and UNESCO France, Paris
2015 – Genting 50 Wondrous Years Art Exhibition, Malaysia
2016 – Horse Painting, Oriental Art & Cultural Center, Malaysia
2017 – China-Malaysia Cultural Art Exhibition , Top 15 Malaysia Artists , Malaysia
2017 – World Contemporary Art Exhibition, Hong Kong
2018 – Love and Inspiration, Yukyung Art Museum, Korea
2018 – Kunsthaus Unterolberndorf International Art Fair, Austria, Vienna
2018 – Art Expo , Malaysia
2019 – Art Expo , Malaysia
2019 – Affordable Art Fair , Hong Kong
2020 – Hamptons Virtual Art Fair , Paris
Award
2017 – International Culture Art Fair Award, International Culture Association of Korea
2017 – Asia Art Award, Asia Culture Association, Korea
2017 – Award of Emerging Souls, World Contemporary Artist Association (WCA) , Hong Kong

Release / Optimism Series (2020)
The meaning behind the artwork –
Optimism / Release is the result of Ben’s previous “Autism” series. Nonetheless, as opposed to “Autism” series, Optimism has a positive element attached to it. The idea of “Optimism/ Release” is derived from Ben’s previous artwork with the title of “Self-harm”. “Self-harm” was the first piece of Ben’s “Autism” series, and it is inspired by his own son’s classmate who wore a helmet in the classroom. The boy wore a helmet as protection from self- inflicted harm by banging his head against the wall whenever he felt frustrated or was clouded with negative emotions.
Over the years, Ben believes by providing well treatment to anyone, especially Autistic children, it will improve one’s behaviour. As such, Ben created “Optimism/ Release” series, that projects a more positive image compared to “Autism” series.
As seen in the painting, the lady holds a pair of scissors, and gets ready to cut of the sling. Once the string is cut, the paint is released.

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AATO is a collaborative art space and platform that focus in contemporary fine art. In AATOROOM we produce locally made furniture that emphasis on quality build designer furniture, with the ability to provide interior design consultations, also design and build with architecture design services for our clientele.

Ben Chong See Wai

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