This exhibition by Hui Sun will feature ten large-scale works, primarily taken from two of his series, alongside several smaller still life and landscape paintings – totalling approximately 23 pieces in all. Hui Sun’s materials are varied; he says: “I use many materials in my creations, most commonly oil painting, watercolour, and ink painting. I also do some clay sculpting: I love its unique texture, and painting on it.”  

The exhibition’s theme “Vertigo” originated from the curator’s response to Hui Sun’s work, and the feeling the art gives her of “a strange sense of dizziness, a space in motion”. The curator Marta Obiols Fornell finds in the paintings “a sense of imbalance and disruption that draws the viewer in, inviting them to engage and seek stillness beyond what is presented.” Hui Sun gives a glimpse into the source of his art: “My creations stem from historical and current events. Often, it’s an impulse, anger, or emotion.” Completing a large piece takes time – this process is closely related to his understanding of the work, where “realistic colours” meet structure: “I need to revise and feel the picture again and again, often getting stuck in a rut, which requires me to destroy most of the painting and reconsider—this takes courage. I like to use emotion and structure to shape my work.” Hui Sun’s vision hinges on contrasts and emotions in counterpoint. Some of the works respond to and reflect negative and even violent events, such as school bullying: “I want to depict these things in my paintings. I hope my works can portray the true face of humanity; I hope they possess a powerful yet melancholic, warm quality. I don’t want my works to appear too cheerful, because that’s not how I see the world.”  

The curator describes the process of encountering Hui Sun and curating his work as an emergence of natural alliances: “I discovered my role along the way. I met Hui Sun some years ago and I admired his work immediately. I always have the feeling that exhibitions curate themselves. In this case, when we went to visit the majestic space of Malta Society of Arts, everything fell into place.” This exhibition has been in the pipeline since 2024, with Hui Sun seeking a spacious exhibition venue to showcase several large pieces together, conveying a more holistic vision based on his “understanding of nature and art”. The exhibition space was therefore crucial to the presentation of the art works. Hui Sun says: “I want to see what kind of visual effect this will create. This is an art project I’ve developed for myself.”