Artworks
Biography

When viewing Shek’s art, one may recognise the graceful influence of some Old Masters from days gone by. His approach to composition and structure, and of light and shadow, echoes that seen in the work of David, Ingres and Bouguereau.

Indeed, the figurative tradition of nineteenth century painters drew its themes from Greek and Roman mythology, or from the Bible. Shek does neither. One of the main emphases of his work is on the human figure, as in centuries past, and how it expresses emotions ranging from joy and delight to a sense of sadness and loss, from curiosity to pensive contemplation. His painted figures, from a single figure to pairs and complex groups, are studies of expression and sentiment as recognition that the human form is capable of being posed in endless variations.

The poses of his dancers, seemingly simple, introduce complicated curves involving many parts of the body – hands, feet, arms, legs, hips, shoulders and torso. As such, his work not only captures the unique character and warmth of each subject, but transcends form to suggest the essence of the individual.

They are uplifting, partly because he can beautify and render the figures convincingly while retaining their true likeness. There is something very honest and authentic about these brief glimpses, in their moments of pause, seized from the unrelenting flow of time.

However, early in his career, Shek acknowledged the notion of developing a transferable style of painting which is not fixed, nor dependant solely on one theme. His themes would share the same familiar appeal – believability – lavishly painted with the same careful oversight.

By continuing to explore a new artistic direction, he has opened up a new artistic avenue. This offers him greater flexibility to use a wider colour palette and the freedom to express weight and texture more diversely. He can share with audience the exquisite marble sculptures on canvas; the evocative portraitures of hunting animals; the intense pristine colours of sweets and candies; the antiquated glow of age-old books; the precise reflections on wrappings and cellophane that he sees through his eyes. In effect, this progressive chapter of his painting life places a greater emphasis on the visual rather than the narrative. It is to push his art to higher boundaries.

If such philosophy is ambitious in terms of his multifaceted approach to his art, it is not a radical change from his successful ballerinas. Instead, it serves an equally important role in defining his unwavering painting objective; converging ever greater emotional realism into his artistic translations.

Maybe, instead of sensual dancers, the canvas could concentrate on glassware or tempting tasty treats. Maybe, instead of complex patterns formed by limbs, tutus and shoes, delicate objects are comparatively simplified. Shek believes even simple, everyday items, when painted, can be adorable, charming and engaging, and that continues to resonate with the spirit of his art.

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  • Ballerina Realism Oil Painting LargeArt Greyscale Dress Orange Shoes
    Chung Shek
    Ballerina Repose
    Original Oil On Canvas
    117 x 92 cm.
    46 x 36 inches
    £ 4,950.00
    Chung Shek, Ballerina Repose
    £ 4,950.00
  • Ballerina
    Chung Shek
    Ballet Girl
    Oil on canvas
    61 x 50.8 cm.
    24 x 20 inches
    £ 2,500.00
    Chung Shek, Ballet Girl
    £ 2,500.00
  • ballerina, ballet, cello, parrot
    Chung Shek
    Cello Ballerina
    Oil on Canvas
    91.4 x 121.9 cm.
    36 x 48 inches
    £ 9,750.00
    Chung Shek, Cello Ballerina
    £ 9,750.00
  • Ballet dancer with flowers and butterflies
    Chung Shek
    Focussed
    Oil on Canvas
    121.9 x 50.8 cm.
    48 x 20 inches
    £ 4,500.00
    Chung Shek, Focussed
    £ 4,500.00
  • Ballet, butterflies
    Chung Shek
    Freedom
    Oil on canvas
    121.9 x 50.8 cm.
    48 x 20 inches
    £ 4,500.00
    Chung Shek, Freedom
    £ 4,500.00
  • Horses, sea
    Chung Shek
    Gallant Horses
    Oil on canvas
    101.6 x 101.6 cm.
    40 x 40 inches
    £ 7,500.00
    Chung Shek, Gallant Horses
    £ 7,500.00
  • Ballerina Realism Oil Painting LargeArt Greyscale Dress Red Shoes Checkerboard
    Chung Shek
    Getting Ready
    Oil on canvas
    121.9 x 91.4 cm.
    48 x 36 inches
    £ 9,750.00
    Chung Shek, Getting Ready
    £ 9,750.00
  • goldfish, splash, hyperreal
    Chung Shek
    Goldfish Splash
    Oil on canvas
    81.3 x 30.5 cm.
    32 x 12 inches
    £ 2,500.00
    Chung Shek, Goldfish Splash
    £ 2,500.00
  • still life, granny smith apple
    Chung Shek
    Granny Smith
    76.2 x 101.6 cm.
    30 x 40 inches
    £ 4,950.00
    Chung Shek, Granny Smith
    £ 4,950.00
  • Koi Fish Oil Painting Orange Detail Water
    Chung Shek
    Koi Fish
    Oil on Canvas
    100 x 100 cm. framed dimension
    39 ⅜ x 39 ⅜ inches
    £ 4,950.00
    Chung Shek, Koi Fish
    £ 4,950.00
  • Chung Shek, Koi in Green
    Chung Shek
    Koi in Green
    Oil on canvas
    91.4 x 121.9 cm.
    36 x 48 inches
    £ 9,750.00
    Chung Shek, Koi in Green
    £ 9,750.00
  • koi, fish, splash
    Chung Shek
    Koi Splash
    Oil on canvas
    81.3 x 30.5 cm.
    32 x 12 inches
    £ 2,500.00
    Chung Shek, Koi Splash
    £ 2,500.00
  • floral, lily, hyperreal
    Chung Shek
    Lily
    Oil on Canvas
    101.6 x 101.6 cm.
    40 x 40 inches
    £ 7,500.00
    Chung Shek, Lily
    £ 7,500.00
  • ballet, ballerina,
    Chung Shek
    Morning Class
    Oil on Canvas
    91.4 x 121.9 cm.
    36 x 48 inches
    £ 9,750.00
  • ballet dancer, ballerina
    Chung Shek
    On Pointe
    Oil on canvas
    50.8 x 61 cm.
    20 x 24 inches
    £ 2,500.00
    Chung Shek, On Pointe
    £ 2,500.00
  • ballerina, Parthenon Marbles
    Chung Shek
    Parthenon Marbles
    Oil on Canvas
    91.4 x 91.4 cm.
    36 x 36 inches
    £ 4,950.00
    Chung Shek, Parthenon Marbles
    £ 4,950.00
  • Ballerina, ballet dancer
    chung shek
    Pink Ribbon
    Oil on canvas
    40.6 x 40.6 cm.
    16 x 16 inches
    £ 1,500.00
    chung shek, Pink Ribbon
    £ 1,500.00
  • ballet dancer, ballet
    Chung Shek
    Poetry in Motion
    Oil on canvas
    91.4 x 91.4 cm.
    36 x 36 inches
    £ 4,950.00
    Chung Shek, Poetry in Motion
    £ 4,950.00
  • Ballerina, ballet
    Chung Shek
    Red Shoes
    Oil on canvas
    40.6 x 40.6 cm.
    16 x 16 inches
  • Ballerina Realism Oil Painting Tutu Greyscale Dress Pink Shoes
    Chung Shek
    Rehearsal
    Oil on Canvas
    106 x 106 cm.
    41 ¾ x 41 ¾ inches
    £ 4,950.00
    Chung Shek, Rehearsal
    £ 4,950.00
  • ballerina, ballet
    Chung Shek
    Stretching
    Oil on canvas
    50.8 x 61 cm.
    20 x 24 inches
    £ 2,500.00
    Chung Shek, Stretching
    £ 2,500.00
  • Ballerina, ballet
    Chung Shek
    Tangerine Shoes
    oil on canvas
    40.6 x 40.6 cm.
    16 x 16 inches
    £ 1,500.00
    Chung Shek, Tangerine Shoes
    £ 1,500.00
  • Realism Tulips Purple Flowers Oil Painting Black
    Chung Shek
    Tulips
    Oil on canvas
    104 x 134 cm.
    41 x 52 ¾ inches
    £ 9,750.00
    Chung Shek, Tulips
    £ 9,750.00