Looking at Adelaide based, Singapore born artist Chow Sum Woon’s paintings one senses an organic and chaotic temperament in execution and presentation. However, first impression can be deceptive, for Chow’s work is defined by the sensibility of an artist who has also experienced the rigours of a draftsman’s life. This duality also extends to issues of culture and identity, resulting in works that are quite autobiographical, evoking the discipline of oriental brush handling fused with an abstraction strategy that is informed by western convention. They are imbued with a quality that is quite personal and spiritual in nature. Furthermore, Chow’s work mirrors the inherent tension between harmony and chaos, for it is in attending to their resolution that balance can be found.

Chow Sum Woon holds an Honours Degree in Visual Arts from the University of South Australia. He has participated in numerous group and solo exhibitions in Australia and Singapore.