28 March - 18 April 2026
Sound of Silent: From Human Presence to the Poetry of Landscape
For decades, the artistic practice of Chia Hoy Sai has been deeply rooted in the observation of life. Known for his expressive paintings of portraits, figures, and still life, the artist has long explored the emotional and spiritual dimensions of everyday existence. His paintings of people often reveal a quiet dignity, while his still-life compositions—particularly tropical fruits and local subjects—reflect the richness of Southeast Asian culture and environment.
Chia’s early artistic training at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts laid the foundation for a practice grounded in attentive observation and painterly discipline. Over the years, his travels across Southeast Asia further expanded his visual vocabulary. Encounters with diverse communities, landscapes, and cultures became a source of inspiration, allowing him to capture both the human spirit and the essence of lived experience.
While human presence formed the central focus of his earlier works, the artist’s attention gradually shifted toward the landscapes that surround everyday life. This transition was not abrupt but rather a natural evolution in his artistic thinking. The landscapes in the Sound of Silent series can be understood as an extension of his long engagement with life and memory. If his portraits once sought to capture the inner world of individuals, these landscapes now convey the inner atmosphere of place.
Inspired by locations such as Bukit Jugra, Banting, and Kuala Langat, the paintings in this series reflect Chia’s deep emotional connection to the natural environment. Among these places, Bukit Jugra holds particular significance. Its tranquil atmosphere and historical landscape embody the sense of calm and poetic stillness that the artist seeks to convey.
The creation of Sound of Silent also represents a personal journey. Over recent years, Chia has faced health challenges and the disruptions brought by the global pandemic, circumstances that inevitably slowed his artistic process. Yet these challenges also deepened the reflective nature of his work. The act of painting became not only a creative pursuit but also a meditative practice—an exploration of stillness, time, and resilience.
In these landscapes, silence becomes a language. Through layered textures, restrained colours, and contemplative compositions, Chia invites viewers into spaces where nature speaks softly but profoundly. The paintings do not simply depict scenery; they evoke an atmosphere—a moment of pause within the constant movement of contemporary life.
Sometimes described as “the poet’s poet,” Sound of Silent reveals a mature stage in the artist’s career. Here, the focus is no longer solely on the human figure, but on the quiet dialogue between the individual and the natural world. The landscapes become emotional terrains where memory, observation, and reflection converge.
Ultimately, Sound of Silent invites viewers to slow down and listen—to the quiet presence of nature, to the rhythms of time, and perhaps even to their own inner thoughts. In a world increasingly defined by speed and noise, Chia Hoy Sai’s paintings offer a rare and gentle reminder of the power of stillness.