Wei-Ling Gallery is pleased to present Words Become Art by Malaysian artist Sun Kang Jye.

Comprising of canvas and paper works, this body of work focuses on the reimagining of the scripture of the Holy Bible.

From Sun’s perception, the Holy Bible is the incarnation of the “truth” in words, and this truth guides his life. Driven by the passion towards the Holy Bible, Sun is inspired by his reflection on the words of the Bible, and turning them into works of art with the implementation of Chinese characters. He focuses on reimagining scriptures making reading of the Bible not just an act of intellect reasoning, but even more so an artistic one.

This series is an exploration of the following aspects:
1. Exploration of the Chinese character structure: Chinese calligraphy stresses the importance of the word’s presentation, not only to present the word beautifully but at the same time present the harmony of text structure. Sun has considerately carried on this thought in this aspect. His creativity lies in presenting the words in the imaging of western arts influence and incorporating images from Christianity instead of a purely oriental presentation. From the whole structure of the words’ formation, we can almost see the image of the cross, image of Jesus and the crucifixion, to name a few images.

It is tantalizing to study the artist’s efforts in restructuring the words. We not only admire the visual beauty of the restructuring but we can also read into the contents of the artwork. This gives viewers more dimensions to reflect on.

2. Exploration of curves: Chinese words and calligraphy are made up of a series of curves, yet Sun’s creation presents the curves from sculpture and modeling to further explore its beauty.

3. Exploration of art structure’s color combinations: This creation has the similar effect of “Cool abstraction” from Mondrian (1872-1944), but Sun’s creation in its curves and content presentation differentiates itself from the rationality, coldness and formalism of cool abstraction. Although Sun’s artworks are rational and stable, yet they are not stiff or cold; they are more like a calmness of a wise old man—as if sitting patiently and calmly expressing his words of wisdom.

Sun Kang Jye is an emerging Malaysian artist who graduated from the Kuala Lumpur College of Arts in 2000. For 15 years, he has unceasingly dedicated himself to the creation of his art. His woodcrafts are well-known while his paintings have rarely been exhibited and are thus lesser known.

Sun started on the “Word Series” creation ten years ago, that is, to create wonderful works of arts inspired from the content of the Bible. This exhibition displays the crown jewels from his years of creative works.

Words Become Art will begin showing at Wei-Ling Gallery on the 20th of April and will continue until the 31st of May 2016.

Wei-Ling Gallery is located at No. 8, Jalan Scott, Brickfields, 50470, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Please call 0322601106 or email weiling.shaz@gmail.com for more information.