Donegel' Chong

Donegel' Chong, originally from Malaysia and a Swiss citizen, has been living in Aadorf, Thurgau since 2018. His artistic career began in 2018 after a serious illness. Since then, Chong's original artworks have been presented in China, Germany, the UK, Italy, Norway and Switzerland.

His paintings are also in private collections in Spain and Thailand. While studying at the Catholic Junior College Singapore, Donegel' Chong spontaneously entered an art competition organised by the Ministry of Culture in 1993. It was here that he received his first public recognition with a merit award. In 2019, Donegel' Chong won the first prize for special painting at the K:UNST Prize, Blue Harmony ("I want I want not: Wisdom"); and in 2021, his painting "ICON: Cruci-fiction of Bacon" was selected for the London Art Biennale Prize.

Donegel 'Chong does not want to limit himself to what he creates. His works are biographical to varying degrees - they are mainly about his preferences: what he likes, what he doesn't like, what he wants and what he doesn't want. Chong calls them "personal reflections on life". Donegel' Chong has developed his own style of painting, with brushstrokes he calls "kurrrlys" or "emotional release brushstrokes". Since 2018, he has been using this technique continuously in varying degrees of intensity. Donegel' Chong is inspired by Francis Bacon and Yayoi Kusama, Cy Twombly and Egon Schiele.

Statement on "Erika's Waggis"

«Erika's Waggis is a cycle of short stories about my life and surroundings. Why Erika? Erika Siegler is my neighbour, originally from Basel. She gave me two hand-knitted waggis dolls for Christmas 2017. They inspired me to tell stories about my life and environment through the character of Waggis. I am also very surprised that although waggis belong to Switzerland, they are not really known outside Basel. That's why, as a Swiss by choice, I have taken on the task of making Waggis better known internationally. Erika's Waggis Volume 1 is about "Loss and Recovery". Erika's Waggis Volume 2 is about self-realisation. From volume 2 on, all the protagonists (waggis dolls) will be knitted by Erika according to my specifications. The plan is to have 10 volumes in one book with a portrait of Erika Siegler.»
Donegel' Chong

Statement on "Feeding"

«FEEDING is a series of works inspired by the experience of feeding fish and other animals during my travels. What are the motifs of feeding? Are there parallels with humanity? These paintings are made entirely with my favourite brush strokes, the "Kurrrlys". Depending on your individual life experience, the paintings are either an explosion of energy or a restless chaos. At the exhibition I will be presenting the continuation of my FEEDING series. I will also be showing some of my other work.»
Donegel' Chong

Donegel' Chong: "Erika's Waggis Volume 2: Ampa Rai and Baby: Ever After" / Acryl auf Leinwand, 60 x 60 cm, 2019

Donegel' Chong: "Erika's Waggis Volume 2: Rai" / Acryl auf Leinwand, 60 x 30 cm, 2019

Donegel' Chong: "Feeding Air Water" / Acrylic on linen, 100 x 100 cm, 2021

Donegel' Chong: "Feeding - Constance I" / Acryl auf Leinen, 100 x 70 cm, 2020