SC Gallery is proud to present Jeremy Fung’s solo exhibition, “Metamorphosis”, showcasing 12 brand new works by the artist. 

Nature has long been serving as the main source of inspiration for Fung’s subjects, as he is much fascinated by its natural rhythmic flow, and its never ending and continuous movements. In his works, ambiguous depictions of elements of nature, such as rivers, forests, trees, and bushes, are now turned into dynamic, energetic gestures and lines. His new exhibition, “Metamorphosis , showcases Fung’s powerful means of exploring themes of change, growth, and evolution, inviting viewers to contemplate the transformative nature of existence and the possibilities of personal and collective transformation.

Fung uses wood as his medium of choice, as wood carries symbolic associations and cultural connotations. It is a natural material derived from trees, which are rooted in the earth. They are a symbol often associated with growth, life, and renewal. By focusing on wood, Fung taps into its symbolic resonance and evokes a sense of connection to nature. Wood’s grain, texture, and organic patterns also provide a rich visual surface. Through manipulating wood by scorching, staining, or distressing, it results in an uneven and perhaps jagged surface thus exposing the intricacies beneath. Despite these physical transformations, Fung is still able to preserve and showcase the natural textures and features of wood, and creates a weathered and aged appearance to his pieces. His works then elicit a sense of introspectiveness, and invite the viewers to contemplate on history, decay, and memory.

The scenes he captured on wood boards are not only based on his memories of sceneries he had seen before, but also images created in his mind through spontaneity and improvisation, with the use of freehand brush work. Through using this technique, Fung is able to emphasize the uniqueness and movements of nature, as it requires him to grasp the most obvious or essential spiritual characteristics of his subjects. Therefore, he captures nature through his own perspective, and recontextualizes it with lines and brushstrokes. By doing so, he is able to present nature in its wild and most primitive state, and it has become the foundation of his works. 

During Fung’s creative process, he is deeply influenced by his emotions on the spur of the moment, as well as his firsthand experience and senses with the natural world. This includes not only the visual aspect, but the sounds, smells, feelings and sensations as well. As a result, his artworks embody the entire spiritual experience of his own creation. As Fung transforms the rhythmic qualities he has observed from nature to free flowing brush strokes and lines, it allows him to project his emotions, thoughts and imagination on woodcuts. His works then stand as a reflection of his individual psyche, providing honest insight in his inner world.

In consequence of years of experimenting with the material of wood, Fung has mastered his craft in wood carving. Due to his skilfulness and experience in the subject, it allows him to develop his set of visual language to its audience, through various brushstrokes, forms and shapes. His works then invites the audience to a deeper look into his personal psyche, and depict the hidden meaning behind these ambiguous elements and forms of the natural world.