‘By Sunshine, By Moonlight’
— Joyce Chong
I’m going to try something new and highlight some artwork by Ken Wong instead of something literary today. If you’re in need of inspiration, or if you just want to take a break from the world for a moment, step into a place that is sometimes dark, sometimes impossible, mythical, dream-like, or bright.
If you want something with dark tones, and vivid, surreal imagery, take the path by moonlight. My personal favourites are Mistaken Identity and Dragon, both evoking some visceral emotion, melancholy, contemplation, the unwavering unknown. If you want something brighter, whimsical, dynamic, and sometimes pastel body-horror-esque, then take the path by sunshine. Three Wishes, Fly by Night, and The Mock Turtle’s Story are illustrations with their own stories, the kind of art that hints at an entire world beyond the frame. There’s something immensely captivating about the contrast between the shadows in Osiris, the sensation of angst against the light, the sprouting of colour and newness. Uncertainty and clarity sat side by side, intermingled into the same piece.
So step inside, take a look around. Let your mind wander into myth, into animated daydreams.