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Stephanie Lee

The Star

Publication Date : 27-01-2013

A renowned artist creates a picture of Aung San Suu Kyi using almost 2,000 white carnations

Inspired by the story of a woman's sacrifice for the freedom of her country, renowned artist Hong Yi decided to create her likeness using carnations as a mark of respect and admiration.

Hong, who goes by the nickname Red Hong, created a picture of Aung San Suu Kyi using almost 2,000 white carnations.

“I bought about 2,000 white carnations several days ago and started the dyeing process by soaking their stems in different tones of red and white food dye,” she said.

The colours begin to emerge 48 hours later and slowly the picture of the National League for Democracy chairman in Myanmar, Suu Kyi, became clearer.

“After watching a movie about Suu Kyi, I was so touched and moved by the sacrifices she made for her country,” Hong said during a showcase of the carnation portrait at the Sutera Harbour Marine and Country Club here yesterday.

Inspired, she immediately got down on her hands and started her project and completed it in three days. She used carnations because it celebrates life.

“Flowers are living things and will die eventually, so do people. Therefore, it is important to treasure life and do good while we are still alive,” she said.

Hong, dressed in a red blouse with flowers tucked into her neatly braided hair, met her fans and crowds of people who knew about her exhibition through her webpage.

Hong, who discovered her talent of creating portraits of famous people using everyday objects or food items such as ink cartridge, coffee, candle, wax and cocoa powder during her trip to Shanghai, encouraged everyone to pursue their dreams.

“I forgot my brushes so I just decided to buy things which could create colour and shape as things are so much cheaper in China,” she said, adding that her first project was her painting of Yao Ming using a basketball.

She said determination and practice were vital in the process of creating something.

“Never give up on your dreams. Pursue them. I am thankful that I pursued mine and received great support from my parents,” she added.

Hong, the only daughter of local developer Wedge Hong and Terry Ng Kin Wan, is no stranger to the local art scene as she received her first prize when she emerged second in an art competition.

She has since participated in various arts events both in Malaysia and Australia, where she studied architecture at Melbourne University.