Drawing inspiration from literati painting, a style which emerged during the Northern Song period and involves prioritising personal expression over the literal depiction of physical forms, Nine Abysses XX (2021) is one of the many in Chui’s series.
Besides serving as a channel through which Chui could express his emotions, the series also helped him heal and achieve a sense of calm. He turned to traditional Northern Song landscapes for solace after being upset and perturbed by COVID-19 and by the recent social and political upheaval in Hong Kong. “Throughout the whole process, drawing the pine needles was meditative and soothing to me,” he explains. “There are many layers of pine needles, and I drew them one by one with calligraphy techniques. Somehow, I found inner peace. I hope the audience can feel these emotions through this painting.”
