“Bamboo not only reflects my passion for traditional Chinese sentiments,” Koon says, “but also conveys a sense of harmony and peace, akin to the feelings of travellers flying to outbound destinations for rest.”

His artworks were created not with ink, but with traditional Chinese pigment. Though, he explains, the definition of contemporary ink painting is broad.
“It encompasses any work that incorporates elements of traditional Chinese calligraphy and painting,” says Koon, “as I have done using traditional materials like brush and water along with Chinese paint, and bamboo, a traditional subject.”

Despite his focus on long-established themes, Koon describes his creative process as “navigating between innovation and tradition,” possessing a blend of classical aesthetics and contemporary effects. “Contemporary art involves various experiments and breakthroughs, yet few delve into the essence of Chinese ink painting. My work focuses on exploring this while expressing modernity,” he says.

His paintings often portray contemporary experiences of nature, shaped by how individuals nowadays interact with landscapes through different frames. “Unlike our ancestors, modern people ‘check in’ and take photos with their smartphones, often viewing nature from indoors through windows. My use of framed scenes in my paintings reflects this modern way of experiencing landscapes,” Koon explains.