Point of VIEW

Artist Nicholas Choong opens up about what gets him out of bed every day.

- JOHN NG

Nicholas Choong, a conceptual artist from Malaysia, needs no introduction, especially in the visual art and design communities. Colourful and traditional, Choong’s work defies categorisation and blurs the line between art and life through the use of a refreshing style of expression, as he skilfully incorporates a wide range of found objects into visually appealing compositions that incorporate recognisable imagery from popular culture with bold patterns. “My works talk about themes of societies and cultures, and about inner, personal development. They are about how we view the world; they are metaphors for living,” he says. “I like that my works speak to the inner child within ourselves. There is a playful and curious nature to these works.” Yet, the sentiments they convey and the way they are structured exude a sensible air of maturity.

L’OFFICIEL: How is Pop art different from other styles?

NICHOLAS CHOONG: Pop art, to me, represents a certain culture. Historically, artists like Warhol, Jasper Johns, Jeff Koons and Keith Haring were pioneers of the Pop art movement. In today’s contemporary art world, Pop art has grown tremendously in terms of acceptance in popular and mainstream culture, backed by the efforts of Banksy, Kaws, Futura, James Jean and Daniel Arsham, to name a few, making it extremely accessible and marketable.

I think Pop art has an urgency that is unparalleled compared to other styles such as classical, baroque, modern art or abstract expressionism, and because of this urgency, it’s very easy to get into it. Even children and young people can grasp its narrative.

LO: Have you ever had a particularly memorable interaction with a fan that impacted your work?