About Calvin

Calvin Chak (Chak Chun Lam) is a creator based in Hong Kong born in 1982. He create acrylic pouring paintings on panels. In addition to physical paintings, he also create digital artworks using software based on computer algorithms. 

When he was young he loved reading books about science and astronomy. As a kid, he liked to visit the local space museum very much. He was attracted by the beautiful space photographs taken by the Hubble Space Telescope of NASA. 

Inspired by the stories and the dedication of great scientists such as Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein, he dreamed of being a scientist. Although he was unable to become a professional scientist after growing up, his wonder and awe towards science has never diminished. 

In addition to reading, he enjoys collecting beautiful gems and mineral specimens around the world and capturing the mysterious microscopic world of his collection in photos.

In 2020, Calvin joined the Global Artist Council as the Artist Committee (painting) of the Asian Art Association (based in Singapore). 

In 2022, Calvin joined the International Association of Visual Artists (based in Italy) as a member. 

He received a Diploma in Fine Art from the School of Continuing and Professional Studies of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUSCS) in 2014.

He obtained a bachelor of engineering in the faculty of Systems Engineering and Engineering Management from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) in 2004. When he is not creating artworks, he works as a software engineer.

 

Artist Statement

“ We are all connected.
  To each other, biologically.
  To the earth, chemically.
  To the rest of the universe atomically. “
― Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Astrophysicist

Through the quest of scientists, we discovered the law of mechanics and optics. We built the Hubble Space Telescope and the rocket which can send the telescope to space. The Hubble Space Telescope widens our horizon and allows us to peek into the wonder of stars and galaxies far away in outer space. 

From biology, we learned that we are participants in a long genetic linkage which linked up all the species on Earth as shown from our DNA and RNA. The thread of life extended back nearly four billion years to the earliest single cell organisms on Earth.

From chemistry, we learned that the four most common, chemically active elements in the universe — hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen — are the four most common elements of life on Earth. These higher elements inside our bodies were produced by the stars in our universe. We are stardust.

 

“ We do not simply live in this universe.
  The universe lives within us. “
― Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Astrophysicist

 

I  love science. 

My art is inspired by the wonder of science and the scientific spirit (科學精神).

Science taught us that we are all connected and share a common origin. Regardless of our differences in race, ethnicity, religion and political ideology, scientific understandings remind us — we are all fragile and precious beings of the same species, living on a tiny mote of dust in the vast cosmic ocean. Thus we should learn to treasure and embrace every human being with loving kindness, because we are so precious in the universe.

Every time I contemplate this cosmic perspective, I am amazed and inspired.

To express my wonder, I create acrylic pouring painting which simulate space nebulae and earth gemstones.

A nebula is an interstellar cloud of dust and gases, such as the Orion Nebula, which is located far away from us in outer space. A gemstone is a piece of mineral crystal formed on the Earth million or billion years ago such as diamond and sapphire. These objects are some of the most ancient research subjects of science. To me, nebulae and gems are natural time capsules. They are the timeless expression of nature’s beauty.

I also use creative coding to create digital artworks of the mathematical universe, with softwares based on mathematics and computer algorithms. Mathematics is the foundation of science. Mathematics, like nebulae and gems, also has an inner beauty.

Scientific knowledge transcends generations and crosses cultural boundaries, providing us a strong foundation to tackle the problems and challenges of the 21st century.

May science give us the wisdom and guide us along our paths towards love and peace.

 

 

 

About my creative process

By pouring multiple layers of acrylic paint on panels, he simulates the formation of nebulae and gems in his paintings. He imagines nebulae and gems formed in his paintings as the paint dry, condensing billion years of history in the process.

Each painting needs a few months from start to completion, as each layer of paint takes some days to be completely dried before another layer of paint can be applied on top. He paints with airbrushes, palette knives and brushes.

With computer algorithms, Calvin is also creating digital paintings of the mathematical universe, exploring the world between order and disorder. He also utilises generative artificial intelligence in his creative process.

He thinks machines not as a way to sideline artists but as collaborators working with the artists hand in hand. Artificial intelligence is a tool to augment human creativity, to send it off in novel directions that otherwise may not have been possible.

 

 

Artwork Collection

My artworks are collected by private collectors around the world.

 

 

2019 collection

<2017.11.03.085900 – The Strange Attractor> (collected by private collector)

2018 collection

<2017.11.07.085601 – A Starry Night 1>  (collected by private collector)

<2017.11.07.085603 – A Starry Night 3> (collected by private collector)

<2017.12.12.085200 – Fairy Tale No.1>. (collected by private collector)

2017 collection

<2017.10.10.003800 – Amitié et reconnaissance – Diamant rose> (collected by private collector)

2015 collection

<For Halley>  (collected by international entrepreneur and philanthropist Dr. Lee Kai Hung)
<For Rosetta and Philae> (collected by international entrepreneur and philanthropist Dr. Lee Kai Hung)

 

Exhibitions

2018  Affordable Art Fair (Zone A Gallery), Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center (18/5 – 20/5)

2016   Affordable Art Fair (BLINK Gallery), Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center (12/5 – 15/5)

2016   Asia Contemporary Art Show 2016 Spring Edition (BLINK Gallery), Conrad Hotel Hong Kong (24/3 – 27/3)

2015  Annual Reception Exhibition , BLINK Gallery

2015   Asia Contemporary Art Show 2015 Autumn Edition (BLINK Gallery) , Conrad Hotel (8/10 – 11/10)

 

 

Association

2022  Joined the International Association of Visual Artists (based in Italy) as a member 

2020  Joined the Global Artist Council as the Artist Committee (painting) of the Asian Art Association (AAA) based in Singapore 

Asian Art Association (AAA) profile :
https://en.artassociation.asia/master/chakchunlam

 

Education

2014  Diploma in Fine Art from the School of Continuing and Professional Studies of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUSCS) 

2004  Systems Engineering and Engineering Management from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)

Contact

Email : calvin (at) calvinchak (dot) com   (Available for commission work)

Artist Website : http://calvinchak.com

Instagram page : @calvin_chak_art