Suma Orientalis Fine Art is delighted to present our upcoming group exhibition, The Spring Show, featuring 8 emerging artists: 838, Chong Kok Choon, Grez Chan, Joey Wong (d’peculiar), Haihui Zhang, Tan Choon Ting, Tiong Chai Heing, and Tong Fung Chuar. 


In the first group show of the year, the idea of spring signifies the search for hope. 

The individual perspectives of each artist uphold the integrity of being a raw, unmasked reflection in their very own realm, despite that the mass of mankind are susceptible to the rapid changes the world is experiencing now. 

From the naive smiles to the cold stones, from the hyperrealistic representation to the abstraction of nature, from identifying the diffidence in oneself to coping with the difference from the surrounding, the exhibits transport the audience into the contemplation of what it means to be living in the current circumstances. 

The Spring Show celebrates the creative endeavours of the 8 artists, all of whom currently live and work in Malaysia. The carefully selected works comprise of various mediums including painting and videography. 

Audience would be able to enjoy the exhibition not just for the aesthetics but also the relatable narratives of each artist. 

The exhibition opening reception will be at 3 pm, 18 May 2024 (Saturday). 

It will be followed by a talk titled “The Malaysian Dialogue”, with the theme surrounding “The Way We See Art”, at 4 pm on the same day. The talk is hosted by Sophia Shung, the gallery director of Suma Orientalis Fine Art. She will be joined by renowned award-winning international architect and art collector Huat Lim who is the cofounder of ZLGDesign, besides teaching at the Taylor’s University, UCSI University and The One Academy.

This exhibition runs through 2 June, 2024, at our gallery in Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur.

About 838 

B. 1999, Johor, Malaysia 

Nicknamed 838, artist Lau Zhen Tao graduated from Taiwan National Changhua University of Education with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art. Lau meticulously examines the subtle gestures of the human body under duress, artfully distorting muscles, joints, and facial expressions to immerse viewers in varied scenarios. Drawing inspiration from the traditional techniques of Chinese ink painting, his works emerge through layers of vigorous, swift strokes imbued with saturated hues. The result is a series of deeply personal, grotesque images that offer a poignant commentary on societal systems.

About Chong Kok Choon 

B. 1975, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 

Chong graduated from the Malaysian Institute of Art, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, majoring in oil painting. This laid the foundation for the aesthetics in his photography, transitioning it from documenting to the realms of fine art. His keen investigation of the relationship between forgotten history and forsaken environment has led him to remote areas throughout the region. His works are a treat for rediscovering humanity and have earned him international recognition. Chong has received numerous accolades internationally. His portfolio titled “Two Countries, Same River” won the Spotlight Award in the Portfolio Contest by Black and White Magazine (USA, 2016), while “Lost Souls” earned him the Merit Award in the same contest earlier (2014). “Sacred Rivers III” was awarded an Honourable Mention in the HIPA Photography Contest – Street Life Category (United Arab Emirates, 2013), and he secured 1st Runner Up in the Classic Awards of the Tamron Digital Photography Contest (USA, 2013). He currently lives and works in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

About Grez Chan 

B. 1974, Kedah, Malaysia 

Grez Chan graduated from the Malaysia Institute of Art in Kuala Lumpur, with a major in fine art in 1997. Chan’s oeuvre is inspired by nature. Her artistry draws from the vibrant essence of life found in serene rural landscapes, seeking to evoke a heightened environmental consciousness within our modern society. Through meticulous brushwork, Chan endeavours to capture the timeless beauty of nature, urging viewers to appreciate its splendour amidst the ever-changing contemporary milieu. Her works invite us to pause, reflect, and marvel at the wonders of our planet, rekindling our reverence for the spiritual bond that connects all living beings.

About Joey Wong (d’peculiar) 

B. 1995, Penang, Malaysia 

Joey Wong graduated from the Equator Academy of Art, Penang, Malaysia with a diploma in fine art. Nicknamed d’peculiar, is celebrated for her unique fusion of humour and surrealism. Wong’s visionary artistry captivates audiences with a distinctive focus on faces, hands, and other human body parts. Her works, marked by surrealist and absurdist elements, delves into the realm of imagination, manifesting a profound exploration of the human psyche. Wong’s technique is characterised by an unwavering dedication to transforming her vivid ideas into visually compelling compositions. Each piece she creates is a visual narrative, inviting viewers into an introspective journey inspired by dreams and memories. Through careful analysis and interpretation of her life experiences, Wong crafts artworks that resonate deeply, evoking powerful emotions in those who encounter them.

About Haihui Zhang 

B. 1985, Sichuan, China 

Haihui Zhang is an artist from China who currently lives and works in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Her works exude a rich tapestry of imaginative space, a testament to her creative depth. Primarily crafted during her time at the Malaysian Institute of Art, her recent pieces delve into the intricate relationship between women and the world, offering poignant reflections on their observations and emotional landscapes. Zhang’s artistic voyage commenced during her high school years, where she first encountered the enchanting allure of art. Throughout her extensive travels to 30 countries, Zhang’s global odyssey profoundly influenced her artistic sensibilities, infusing her works with a nuanced understanding of human experience and interconnectedness. Beyond her visual artistry, Zhang is also a prolific writer, contributing numerous articles on art to influential online platforms in China, including Salian Lifeweek and White Night. These writings serve as fertile ground for her visual creations, nurturing her artistic vision and providing a rich intellectual backdrop for her exploration.

About Tan Choon Ting 

B. 1992, Johor, Malaysia 

Tan Choon Ting is an emerging Malaysian artist who graduated from the Taiwan National Changhua University of Education with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art (Hons.) in 2018. Daily conversations, commuting, and observations are captured in his colorful world where nothing is so mundane, interpreted in a philosophical context. Departing from the sophisticated appearances of images, the artist untangles the aberration between encounters in life, thoughts, and observations and superimposes them with the concept of time. His artistic talent was recognised since he won the Grand Award (2016) and Outstanding Award (2017) in the faculty exhibition. His recent exhibitions include 100 Beams Of Time (2023), 1000 Years on Earth (2022) and 1 Day in Heaven (2021), all at Suma Orientalis Fine Art, Malaysia.

About Tiong Chai Heing 

B. 1986, Johor, Malaysia

Tiong Chai Heing is amazed by chemical reactions, as their ever-changing state and form pique her curiosity. The fact that the world is made up of tiny particles astonishes her and that cultivates her interest in depicting objects beyond their superficial appearance. Her experience with long-term care for an autistic sibling has also influenced her to pay attention to the rejected ones in society and to relate to the derelict state of abandoned objects. Chai Heing uses unwanted textiles and various materials to elude her statement. Her works imply that the processes of depletion and exhaustion are the keys to completing nature’s cycle. Her achievements include the Grand Prize of UOB Painting Of The Year Award (Malaysia, 2015) and First Prize – Charcoal Category (Tanjong Heritage Art Competition, Malaysia, 2008). In 2010, she completed a residency program with the House of Matahati (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia).

About Tong Fung Chuar 

B. 1996, Hatyai, Thailand 

Tong Fung Chuar is an emerging Malaysian artist who graduated from the National School of Fine Art of Dijon (ENSA Dijon), France, with a Master’s in Fine Art (Hons.) in 2021. Chuar’s works articulate around a specific realm where corporality and senses are intertwined with imagination. Through meticulous arrangement of basic gestures and objects, Chuar’s compositions provoke a narrative of poetic absurdity, inviting contemplation on our complex relationship with objects, language, bodies, and imagery. At the heart of Chuar’s artistic exploration lies an inquiry into spatial experience, animality, and the act of consumption.  His endeavours to explore the potential for harmonious coexistence is evident, employing metaphorical elements to transcend literal representations. Both the process and the outcome serve as a testament to the boundless possibilities of his artistic expression, inviting viewers to embark on a journey of introspection and contemplation. Through the evocative compositions, Chuar challenges us to reconsider our perceptions of reality and invites us to explore the intricacies of the human experience.