Chowwai Cheung
Drawing inspiration from the surrounding landscapes, particularly the intricate formations of rocks, the undulations of hills and the interplay of light and shadow.
Chowwai’s work is characterised by its geometric shapes, bold colours, a sense of depth and is celebrated for its technical skill and visual impact. Her collagraph prints are created by hand, allowing her to experiment with textures and create unique, one-of-a-kind pieces bursting with intricate patterns and depths.
Based in Exeter, in the South West of England, Chowwai draws inspiration from her surrounding landscapes, particularly the intricate formations of rocks, the undulations of hills and the interplay of light and shadow. Her paintings often feature abstract landscapes that evoke a sense of tranquillity and contemplation.
Through her art, Chowwai invites viewers to consider the beauty and complexity of the natural world, offering a fresh perspective on familiar landscapes. You can really see the layers built up and crisply defined. Her prints are all individually handmade, drawn and cut onto collagraph plates, working in intaglio. It gives her access to build the hard-edged shapes, soft translucent tones and textures ~ intuitively working within every area of her work. She finishes each piece in acrylic, giving her freedom to develop and conclude each piece.
Chowwai trained at Manchester Metropolitan University specialising in Printed Textiles. Graduating in 1992 with a 1st class BA honours. Her work has been represented internationally and has regularly exhibited in group exhibitions including the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, Royal Albert Memorial Museum and the National Open Print Exhibition. She continues to receive commissions from corporations and private collectors.
Most recently her painting ‘Mountain Ridges 1’ was selected for the Royal West of England Academy Annual Open Exhibition 2024 and chosen as the main image for the show. I am fortunate to have the accompanying painting ‘Gentle Mist’ in my ‘Colour is a Power’ exhibition.