NICHOLAS CHOONG

‘009 : Quiet’, 12 x 18 inches, Mixed media on panel, 2025

PART 1 : FACE YOUR FEARS

Sometimes these works are difficult to make. No matter what I think about composition, tone, colour, messages or the feelings I’m trying to evoke – they simply do not work out to plan.

This one though – emerged without fuss whatsoever. Art is strange, curious (to me) and abhors control. I think the more we try to control the art, the more it slips away from being truthful.

I’ve been asked whether these mixed media sketches will be available for sale, or as prints : Yes, to both.

‘009 : Above My Pay Grade I’, 12 x 18 inches, Mixed media on panel, 2025

PART 2 : CHART A NEW COURSE

It’s always interesting when artists post their works online – as opposed to just leaving them on their own in physical spaces like galleries, or artist studios.

Artists are expected to write deep and profound statements about why they made this or that work, what motivated them to create, the whys and the hows.

People are expected to then ask about the price. To be fair, none of this exists when the artist makes the work. The work is made from an internal compass – about what’s good and what sucks, as a feeling & as an intuition. Art is generally about discernment and a way for some to express something that they care enough about.

I can say a lot of things about this body of work. That it is a culmination of my interests in typography, street culture and music, crafted using fine art materials, blah blah blah – to no end.

There is no meaning to life’s iterations.

We give it meaning.

‘008 : Untitled’, 12 x 18 inches, Mixed media on panel, 2025

PART 3 : BELIEVE IN THE INTANGIBLE

I’m a big fan of fiction. Although I do read and observe non-fiction (autobiographies, psychology etc.) as well – I do think artists and creatives benefit from exposing themselves to well-crafted fiction and inner tapestries that delight, awe and sometimes seek to discomfort.

To present different viewpoints, or to express that which does not yet have a name, or a feeling – is paramount to the creative mind. Opening up new ways to see the world and to connect the dots.

‘018 : The Only Way Out Is Through’, 12 x 18 inches, Mixed media on panel, 2025

PART 4 : EMBRACE YOUR SPIRIT

I believe that we are conscious beings, trapped in a material (bodily) existence. This explains a number of things : Duality. The deep rooted feeling that we’re all still searching for something. That even having all your material goals and dreams met – doesn’t really satisfy this need and craving for a fuller existence.

Some of us get there though, some of the times.

‘012 : Untitled’, 12 x 18 inches, Mixed media on panel, 2025

PART 5 : FORGET THE ALGORITHM

It is with great joy (and some sadness) that I near the end of these experimental works. What began as a way to express something, became cathartic – A way to transmute, shape and direct feelings, ideas and time into something tangible.

Artists and makers work through their pain, loss, moments of solitude and emerge the better for it. The results? Material things which people can buy, trade, barter for – or gift to others as a way of saying – I’ve been through what you’ve been through. I understand.

Forget the white walled shows. They are too plastic and do not truly represent the human condition. There are better ways to do this thing called life. And perhaps one way – is to acknowledge and embrace its brief and fleeting nature.