This piece by Chung Chen Sun resembles a long take in a film: women sit together in a group, while two other figures hastily pass in front of them. It feels like a frozen moment, yet also like a series of frames infinitely elongated by the camera. Time appears suspended—each person exudes a serene expression, and the composition radiates calmness. Yet within this stillness lies a sense of leisure and ease. Such is the charm of Chung Chen Sun’s figure painting A Group of People.

The figures are presented in groups, their interactions captured in mutual glances and subtle connections. The artist skillfully divides spatial relationships, employing contrasts between solidity and void to establish depth and perspective among the characters. The movement of the dynamic figures is rendered with bold and unrefined lines, while the figures in the background are constructed with an emphasis on blocks of color. This distinction transforms spatial separation into an interplay of brushstrokes and ink, revealing Chung Chen Sun’s ingenuity. He masterfully employs the formal qualities of his brushwork to handle spatial relationships. The strokes extend into abstract geometric color blocks that form the figures, seeking not lifelike resemblance but spiritual resonance. The geometric abstraction infuses a modern design aesthetic into traditional ink painting. Yet, these geometric shapes are not rigid; they are organic, flexible color fields—soft and textured marks of ink.

The figures’ brown skin tones highlight their Asian heritage, imbuing them with a sense of purity and primal simplicity. The women’s clothing is expressed in red and blue, with the bold contrast of these hues encapsulating a vivid yet understated ethnic charm. This reflects Chung Chen Sun’s ability to distill and reinterpret the essence of ethnic color schemes. Beyond mere observation, the spiritual essence of the figures is a deeper consideration for the artist. By immersing himself in the zeitgeist and traditional culture, he bridges the tropical vibrancy of Southeast Asia with his inner state of mind, ultimately creating a distinctive personal style.