Chua Ek Kay, An Eternal Moment, 2002
Hand-coloured pressed paper pulp on STPI handmade paper
133 x 168 cm (visible), 144 x 187 x 4 cm (framed)
Condition: Good, with foxing along the perimeter of the work.
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Chua Ek Kay 蔡逸溪 (Singaporean, 1947–2008) was a prominent Singaporean artist renowned for his contemporary ink paintings. His art journey began in the 1960s, heavily influenced by Chinese ink traditions yet evolving into a unique style that merged Eastern and Western techniques. Ek Kay's works often explored themes of nature, tradition, and spirituality, capturing the essence of his cultural heritage while embracing modern interpretations. His innovative approach to ink painting earned him recognition both locally and internationally, solidifying his legacy as a pioneering figure in Singapore's art scene.
Chua's celebrated Lotus Series, adopted during his 3-month residency under the Visiting Artists Programme (VAP) at the Singapore Tyler Print Institute (STPI) in 2003, extends beyond the lotus as a visual motif. While the lotus is a defining symbol in Eastern culture, Chua employed it as a philosophical vehicle to explore the nature of existence. Rather than depicting static forms of the lotus, the series contemplates the perpetual state of becoming, where all life is in constant flux, transformation and renewal.
The lithographs and hand-coloured pressed paper pulp works produced during Chua's STPI residency represent some of the most compelling interpretations of the lotus in his oeuvre. An Eternal Moment (2002) is among the 30 large-scale hand-coloured pressed paper pulp works created in collaboration with Master Papermaker Richard Hungerford and his team. Chua painted directly onto wet paper pulp, building successive layers of colour and fibre before the work was compressed under a 150-tonne hydraulic press and left to dry. The resulting surface possesses a remarkable luminosity, enriched by the organic irregularities and fibrous textures inherent to the papermaking process.
(Photographed in May 2026)