Cindy Leong is a New Zealand-based artist with Malaysian-Chinese roots. In her minimalist paintings, she explores Eastern philosophy, specifically Buddhism and Taoism. She was deeply impressed by the concept of equanimity, which is the foundation of wisdom and freedom and brings forth a warmth of being. This equanimous mind is an ongoing process of moment-to-moment awareness and mindfulness.
In Cindy Leong’s abstract paintings, you can feel this sense of serenity and mindfulness. It inspires the viewer to slow down and enter a state of introspection. Traces of marks run through the composition of the painting, illustrating the slow passage of time. She sees her paintings as a brief respite from the noise and chaos of the outside world, creating a scene of quiet contemplation. Her repetitive technique is reminiscent of the great masters of the Korean Dansaekhwa movement.
The texture created by the viscosity of the oil paint, the irregular weave of the linen, the sharp edges left behind after burning incense, and the delicate fragility of the rice paper deliver an intensity of materiality to the senses. The elements of clay and tactility are carefully considered in each material to create a grounding quality.
Leong’s methodical process of mark-making is symbolic of the act of emptying her mind, and the end result is a visual echo of her meditation practice. Each mark serves as a secured seed of consciousness that becomes embedded in the work.
Cindy is an emerging young artist who manages to express a harmonious tranquility through her paintings. She had her first solo exhibition in February 2023.
Repetition enables my mind to enter a flow state, over time the brush becomes an extension of my hand, each iteration passing through to the next.
Cindy Leong
Further Reading
https://www.cindy-leong.com/
https://www.instagram.com/cindyleong__/
