Mona Choo

Born in Singapore, Choo now lives in Hong Kong and attributes the urban backdrop seen in most of her work to the city’s vibrancy.

"Printmaking and working on paper has always been my passion.

The allure of print is in the textures that can be achieved, as well as the process of evolving the print through layers. Between each layer, there is opportunity for contemplation, change, spontaneity and surprise. I have always felt like an alchemist when creating a print.

My work has been consistently influenced by my cultural sensitivities. Like many of my generation from South East Asia who have had a western education and a traditional Chinese upbringing, we either end up breaking down barriers of tradition and custom, or conforming to a two thousand year old code of conduct that remains intact till this day. Neither path would necessarily bring joy or peace to the individual, however, the tension that results from this has been a great driving force in my development and growth as a person, and an artist. With a strong narrative quality that sometimes includes decorative elements, I seek to involve andprovoke. Drawing from a source of sometimes well-informed, other times ill-informed, opinions, I attempt to express myself in as simple and captivating a manner as possible, occasionally employing humour to break down any communication barriers.

The world is an interesting place, and I am a part of it. Cultural and social issues, urban and rural landscapes, humanity in general, all intrigue and inspire me."

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

1999
Artemis Gallery, Melbourne Australia

1999
‘Guardian', Klimt's Café Gallery, Singapore

1998
DDB Singapore, Singapore

GROUP EXHIBITIONS AND COLLECTIONS

2008
Art Singapore 2008, Art-2 Gallery

2008
Viridian Gallery, New York, USA

2008
Eagle Art Gallery, Murray, Kentucky, USA Titled ‘Think Tank'

2008
Hun Gallery, New York, USA Hun Gallery International Juried Fine Art Exhibition

1998
Art-2 Gallery, Singapore

1997
‘Art Power', The Substation Art Gallery, Singapore

1996
United Overseas Bank, Singapore Permanent Collection

1995
Singapore Art Museum, Singapore Permanent Collection

1995
‘Two Way Traffic', The Substation Art Gallery, Singapore

1994
Dixon Bate Gallery, Leeds, UK

1994
‘A Festival of women's art', Coventry Gallery,
London, UK

1994
‘Freshways in Printmaking', Coventry Gallery, London, UK

1994
‘Women in Action', Redfield Exhibition Gallery, Winslow, UK

1994
‘Aspects of the Body, Soul & Environment', Dixon Bate Gallery, Leeds, UK

1993
UK Degree Show, Beint & Beint Gallery, London, UK

AWARDS AND COMPETITIONS

2008
July Viridian Gallery, Chelsea, New York - winner of International Juried Art
Competition to participate in group show

2008
Hun Gallery International in New York, Juried Fine Art Exhibition winner - one of 35 selected to be in group show in New York

2008
Sept Eagle Art Gallery, Kentucky - one of 46 selected from 900 submissions for group show

2008
Accepted into the American Juried Art Salon 2008 Spring/Summer online show

2007
Art Interview, 10th International Online Artist Competition - Honorable Mention - one of six selected out of 450 submissions by 150 artists for Honorable Mention

2007
Projekt30.com, ‘Bling' Exhibition. One of thirty artists selected for online show by public jury

1998
Accepted into the Direct Art Buyer's Magazine

1996
Highly Commended Award - 15th Annual Painting of the Year competition hosted by the United Overseas Bank of Singapore, Singapore