Embracing the present with sincerity: contemporary ink artist Hung Fai on his creative endeavours

‘The most crucial aspect of a creative space is its ability to evoke comfort. In this space, I’ve incorporated some of my favourite plants.’ During our initial visit to Hung Fai’s studio, he expressed his fondness for the natural world, stating, ‘to some degree, I believe nature provides us with abundant inspiration. The unique forms of many creatures mirror their habitats, similar to how our appreciation of art can reflect our culture and values. My artworks reflect who I am as an individual, and at the same time, they are a representation of my journey in finding myself.’

Coming from an artistic family, Hung Fai fondly reminisces about his childhood experiences that continue to inspire him today. His father, Hung Hoi, is a renowned traditional ink painter whose work has left a lasting impression on Hung Fai. As a young boy, Hung Fai would often sneak into his father’s study to marvel at his paintings.

One particular memory stands out vividly in his mind: he recalls encountering a landscape painting by his father where an empty space appeared next to a stream. Filled with excitement, Hung Fai decided to imitate his father’s style and add a stone in the middle of the stream. Reflecting on this moment from his past, Hung Fai chuckles and recalls, ‘my heart was racing at that time, and I felt a mix of guilt for altering my father’s work and the pure joy of creating something of my own.’

When his father saw the stone Hung Fai had added to his painting, he was initially shocked. However, his reaction brought a sense of relief to the young artist — rather than erasing the stone, his father chose to incorporate it into the artwork, skilfully blending it with a few additional strokes. Hung Fai was deeply moved by his father’s tolerance and encouragement, remarking, ‘different creators perceive the same things differently. To my father, leaving an empty space embodies an artistic attitude and a concept of aesthetics. Yet, to me at that time, the presence of a stone next to a stream was a logical thought. These childhood experiences have indeed inspired me throughout my creative journey.’

This stone also served as the inspiration for one of Hung Fai’s artistic endeavours years later. In 2016, he invited his father, Hung Hoi, to take part in the The Six Principles of Chinese Painting — Transmission series, requesting him to paint a rock first with cinnabar. Hung Fai explains: ‘I invited my father to paint using cinnabar because I believe its red pigment represents a colour of authority, as teachers often use cinnabar for corrections, and veins of blood also possess this same red hue. For me, my father embodies both the authority figure in the family and the artist who teaches ink painting.’

This initiative stands as a testament to Hung Fai’s remarkable dedication to and creativity in material usage. Growing up, Hung Fai often contemplated finding his own artistic voice. He grappled with the challenge of striking a balance between adhering to the styles of his predecessors and forging his own individual path as an artist. Additionally, he faced the dilemma of choosing between traditional influences and embarking on a journey of self-exploration. The Six Principles of Chinese Painting — Transmission series not only illustrates the father-son relationship between Hung Fai and his father but also embodies Hung Fai’s evolving relationship with traditional ink art.

Hung Fai describes his technique step by step. Firstly, he covers his father’s original piece with Xuan paper. Then, he saturates it with water and traces it with black ink dots once the red-lined graphics emerge. Finally, as the ink slowly penetrates each layer of the paper, the image ultimately morphs into an abstract light ink image. In terms of the ways the father and son paint with different tools, Hung Fai emphasises that ‘the creative process is more than just learning from each other — to some extent, it’s an establishment of mutual understanding.’

Hung Hoi agrees that this father-son painting did not come from a traditional collaboration. Instead, he describes it as being more focused on Hung Fai’s reinterpretation of his work. ‘Hung Fai explores with new techniques, using a technical pen instead of a brush. Moreover, he introduces fresh styles of compositions and visuals,’ Hung Hoi remarked. ‘Contemporary works are imbued with thoughtful concepts, which are prioritised over realism. Witnessing the new generation’s approach to creation is inspiring, especially for a long-time traditional painter like myself.’

For Hung Fai, this new approach to creation epitomises artistic freedom, unbounded by the creations or aesthetic conventions of predecessors. ‘In fact, I believe it’s most captivating when one creates with independence of mind,’ he asserts. What enthrals Hung Fai most about contemporary ink painting is the array of conceptual languages employed in the process — ranging from materials and techniques to ideas and visual elements — each offering insight into the motives and concepts behind the creations, irrespective of their Eastern or Western origins. He highlights, ‘Contemporary ink art can mirror the complexity of reality. One of the remarkable aspects of contemporary art is its capacity for inclusivity.’

As an exceptional young artist in today’s ink art scene, Hung Fai’s expressions and ideas stand out for their innovative creativity. He summarises his artistic aspirations in the word ‘sincerity’. ‘Artistic creation is inherently honest. Paintings reflect the thoughts and sincerity of the artist, revealing how they perceive the world. I believe the best approach to creating art is to maintain unwavering motivation, to persist in pursuing your ideas, and to preserve your unique voice. On top of that, it is important to dedicate time for reflection, exploration, and contemplation. While this process may seem routine, it is undeniably the most significant aspect of my artistic journey.’