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The man responsible for nurturing many Malaysian Art students and often regarded as the representation of Malaysian Chinese art painting is also a man of many hats. Chung Chen Sun is a painter, educator and also the founder of International Contemporary Ink Painting Association. He is diverse in his subject matters, creating works of landscape, figures and still life. He combines calligraphy with a palette of Western oil paintings, evident mostly in his figurative works.

Chung’s works are often filled with lively poems and philosophical thoughts. This understated scroll tells the story of a wise old man who has withdrawn from the world and his possessions, all that accompany him on his journey are a small bag of personal effects and a water gourd. Perhaps home is the mountains, far from civilisation where this ascetic-traveller can find inner peace and share an affinity with nature by observing the loftiness of the mountains and the passing clouds.

Known to have revolutionised the traditional “top light, bottom heavy” Chinese ink composition, here, Chung made deliberate punctuations with four repetition of the Chinese word 山 (mountain) rendered in unique caricatural style and floating above the figure, forming a subtle arc that brilliantly lifts the composition.

Chung Chen Sun founded five art institutions in Malaysia and China, including the Malaysian Institute of Art and was its Principal from 1967. He established International Contemporary Ink Painting Association in 1982. He devoted his time here and worked tirelessly to modernise Chinese ink painting and to promote the development of Malaysian Chinese culture and facilitate international exchanges. Graduated from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore, his works have been showcased in international exhibitions held in more than 20 countries. His contribution in Chinese ink painting in Malaysia has gained the reputation as “Father of Malaysian Contemporary Ink Painting”.