The first times when I met Pakeong, it was often during exhibitions in which he worked as a freelance photographer. Standing behind the camera lens he appeared to be rather low profile. When talking to him, he is always very friendly and easy-going. But despite his discrete appearance, I managed to see some sort of “madness” through his intensive gazes.  

Later I saw him in his live music shows, shouting and singing his lungs out…and everything became clear to me. His “madness” is deeply rooted in his bone marrow and most of the time; it just stays dormant (if not a bit oppressed in fact). But when he performs, it explodes.

And yet later I saw his paintings, some kind of organic forms and shapes, mostly black and white (with the primary color red occasionally).  He creates his paintings also in live, often during the exhibition openings. And most of them are painted on daily objects such as table, chair, clothing, motorcycle, and even bathtub. In his live painting performances, every stroke is being painted with the utmost focus and Pakeong never makes any sketching nor does he ever erase what has been painted. It's always a one-time thing.

Contemplating on his paintings, flowing as foaming liquid: are these shapes human? Or are they just patterns? Black? White? Or are they simply madness? One cannot help but wonder: where do they come from? The artist would not hide, saying that they come from his loneliness. As a boy, he was often left alone without the company of his brother and sisters. So he started to draw and to sing to make himself happy and entertained.

He probably did not know then this self-made happiness would have paved his way in building his dream a reality.

In 2007 Pakeong has decided to quit his daytime job and became a full-time artist. During the last 4 years he has committed himself entirely in his artistic works: painting, writing songs while keep shouting and singing his lungs out in more and more live performances. The creative force that is being exploded from within brings a rare kind of energy in the small city of Macau. And by doing so Pakeong has confirmed himself as a unique and multi-facet contemporary artist. During this focusing process, his works have become more and more mature. Having been shown in numerous international art fairs and exhibitions, Pakeong's works proved to be highly appreciated.  More and more collectors become interested and sales records are now pointed toward the international market.

"Soul OUT!" is the latest solo art exhibition of Pakeong at AFA Macau. The audience who has been to his live shows would know, that Pakeong's passion is the soul of his art. Entering into the new year of 2012, Pakeong has also started some new moves in his path of creativity. From his highly stylish monotone B/W drawings to today's new trial with colors, Pakeong has incessantly projected his own soul into his art works. Again and again, he has not stopped in front of existing limits, but trying to transcend his own self.

"Soul OUT!" is indeed the expression of the artist's absolute attitude toward creativity without any reservation. Whether it is his music or his drawings, Pakeong is of the same energetic force and coherence. The exhibition of "Soul OUT!" showcases the latest works of the artist, combining drawing, ready-made objects, sound and installations into the same world, marking a milestone on Pakeong's creative journey.

--by Alice Kok
Curator