Sculptor Chng Huck Theng achieved another milestone in his art career when invited for his first solo exhibition entitled ‘IMPerfect Creation’ in Singapore at MOCA (Museum Of Contemporary Art) @ Loewen. Guest of Honour for the official opening of IMPerfect Creation was H.E. High Commissioner to Singapore Dato Zulkifli Adnan. Dato Zulkifli in his speech praised the hard work the artist had put into creating ‘ugly’ pieces that are beautiful if one actually took the time to understand the concept of … ’if one cannot see ugly, one cannot see beauty’.
CEO of MOCA@Loewen further added that this is the first time the institution hosted a top Malaysian sculptor and he believed that the artist would do well as he was not only a creator but also a thinker. 16 very interesting bronze sculptures that captured a lot of interest and attention. The event was attended by art lovers, collectors and friends.
After Melbourne and Kuala Lumpur, Chng Huck Theng held his solo bronze sculpture exhibition in home town Penang in One East Museum. Guest of Honor Lee Khai who is also the Chairman of Penang State Art Gallery commended Chng for his hard work and dedication being a serious artist in the Malaysia art world by virtue of conviction. President of China Central Academy of Fine Arts, Fan Dian who was also present talked about the beauty of the sculpture and more importantly the artist has managed to blend in society happenings to further provide life into these bronze work of art.
Among the guests were Director General of National Art Gallery Malaysia, Prof. Datuk Mohamed Najib who wrote the foreward in the book ‘IMPerfect Creation’, advisor of Penang Art Society Tan Sri Dato Seri Tan Khoon Hai, Dato Chong Hong Fatt, Dr. Tan Boon Cheong and wife Dora, Vincent Tai, Carsten Sorensen and Susanna Hernesniemi.
Finally after 4 years, Asian award winning artist Ch’ng Huck Theng, presented his final bronze sculpture ‘Pahlawan’ (Warrior in English) in his series ‘IMPerfect Creation’ in PinkGuy Gallery KL. Guest of Honor was Minister of Transport Dato’ Seri Liow Tiong Lai together with Datuk Dr. Wong Lai Sum, Dato’ TS Yong, collectors and friends from the art scene. Dato’ Seri Liow praised the artist for his endeavor for creating a Malay sculpture from the inspiration of legendary heroes such as Hang Tuah, Hang Jebat, Hang Lekir, Hang Kesturi with the intention to remind fellow Malaysians that there is always a need to have a common ‘hero’ or a common ideology to unite the different races. A beautiful limited edition hard cover book ‘IMPerfect Creation’ was launched during the evening.
When the moon and stars are aligned, the perfect night is created and in this case, an IMPerfect night of art, wine and friends.
The ‘IMPerfect Creation’ was held in Melbourne’s SpACE@Collins gallery recently featuring award-winning Asian contemporary sculptor Ch’ng Huck Theng’s bronze sculpture creations. Pronounced as “I am perfect”, it was his first solo exhibition in Australia and successfully sold seven out of the 11 pieces on display. The 11 interesting artwork pieces carries its unique story, meaning and philosophy inspired by different people and happenings around the artist.
The opening night was officiated by Rupert Myer, Chair of the Australian Council of the Arts and was attended by more than 150 people, all who were the artist’s close network of friends.
In Myer’s speech, he said:“This new perspective that Ch’ng introduces is the concept of beauty and ugly – in which beauty cannot be seen if one cannot see ugliness. Ch’ng strikes me as not just a business man, he’s an artist and editor with an inquisitive mind. I know this as he interviewed me for his magazine, Essenze, where he seemed to understand my full story even though the interview was just a short one. Rupert continued by comparing Ch’ng’s concepts and philosophy with Australia’s great including artist Arthur Boyd and Albert Tucker. He is a brilliant and talented man.”
The evening was catered by Humbling Eats, one of Melbourne’s finest caterers for fine cocktails.
“The sculptures show us social behaviour that we encounter daily, or that we ourselves act out consciously or unconsciously. Each piece tells a deep story and most are from my experience too,” said Ch’ng.
Some of the pieces are more personal to him. “Princess Liberty for example, depicts the time when my daughter went to study in university in Australia. So she’s riding a horse which also represents the plane, but I named it Princess Liberty because even though she’s away from home and grown up, she’s still daddy’s little princess.
I hope that my art will make us look deeper into our own hearts when faced with issues and problems,” Ch’ng said.
It takes Ch’ng almost six months to create one sculpture and the heaviest piece named “Angel of Love”, weighs more than 100kg.
Ch’ng is currently one of the leading artists and sculptors in Malaysia as this year marks the artist’s 22 years in art. His works are collected not only in Malaysia but around the world by respected institutions that include the National Visual Art Gallery Malaysia, Singapore Art Museum, Hong Kong University Museum & Gallery, Shanghai Art Museum and Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts (ENSBA) in Paris.
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