Hong Sek Chern, Sites in the Cities 01, Undated
Ink and colour on paper
167 x 137 cm (visible), 300 x 180 x 5 cm (framed)
Condition: Very good, with slight scratches on the acrylic glazing of the frame.
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Hong Sek Chern (Singaporean, b. 1967) is widely recognised for her contemporary explorations of ink painting and urban landscapes. A graduate of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), she later obtained a Master of Fine Arts from Goldsmiths College, University of London (1998), and a Master of Arts in Southeast Asian Studies from the National University of Singapore (2004). Hong’s strong academic and artistic background has allowed her to bridge traditional Chinese aesthetics with modern architectural perspectives, positioning her as one of Singapore’s leading contemporary ink artists.
Her works reinterpret Chinese ink traditions through depictions of modern cityscapes—particularly the evolving skylines, housing blocks, and infrastructure of Singapore. Hong often employs layered perspectives, fragmented viewpoints, and intricate line work that dissolve the boundaries between abstraction and realism. This visual language transforms familiar urban structures into meditative reflections on memory, identity, and the changing city. Notably, her paintings often omit human figures, inviting contemplation on the relationship between people and the built environment.
Throughout her career, Hong has exhibited widely in Singapore and internationally, earning major accolades such as the Young Artist Award from Singapore’s National Arts Council (2000) and the UOB Painting of the Year Gold Award (2014). She has also served as a lecturer and mentor at NAFA, contributing significantly to art education in Singapore. Through her innovative use of ink, Hong continues to challenge perceptions of landscape, space, and cultural tradition in contemporary Asian art.
(Photographed in October 2025)