The azure skies, crystal clear blue-green waters, fascinating cloud formations, desert-like coastal areas that are bare except for some shrubs and pockets of grass, waves lapping gently on the seashore and brown sandy beaches are exceptionally realistic in his paintings.
Some of them are so life-like that one could almost smell the salty sea breeze, hear the cries of seagulls and experience the serenity of the beaches.
He has painted each blade of grass, each leaf and each grain of sand in such glorious detail that the viewer is immediately transported to the land where he was born and spent his formative years.
His 10 paintings, on show at Wei-Ling Gallery, depict his fascination with Terengganu beaches and coastal areas.
“As a native of Terengganu, I have a sentimental attachment to this land. I am grateful to have the ability to paint, so that I can interpret what I see and feel,” said Chen at the launch of his solo exhibition.

Entitled “Two Three Six”, the exhibition is the result of two years of work. The artist travelled around Terengganu, studying and taking in the stunning beauty of his home state.
“The title refers to the distance in kilometres of the coastal areas of Terengganu from Kuala Besut to Kemaman,” said Chen.
You would be forgiven for thinking a few of the paintings are not part of Terengganu’s unique scenery.
While people of Terengganu will be able to identify the landscapes, others might think they are foreign desert scenes found in Mad Max films.
“Many of the places are not well known and you might overshoot them, if you’re driving through the state,” he said.

Rantau Abang, Besut, Dungun, Kuala Besut, Gong Balai, Rhu Tapai, Seberang Pintassan and Jambu Bongkok are some of the places painted with photo-like realism.

“I’ve tried to capture some of the characteristics of Terengganu.
“It’s like a book on Terengganu, but it is not in the written but visual form.
“I have an acute sense of observation of nature, and I believe that once the heart is quiet and calm, one will be able to see the beauty in nature,” he explained.

The paintings will be on show at Wei-Ling Gallery, No 8, Jalan Scott, Brickfields till June 24.