Professor Chung Chen Sun was a renowned artist and art educator born in 1935 in Melaka, Malaysia. His ancestry dates back to Meixian County in Guangdong Province, China. Graduated from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in 1955 with a Diploma in Fine Art, Professor Chung later earned a Master of Public Administration in 1986 from University of San Francisco, USA.
In 1967, Professor Chung founded the Malaysian Institute of Art and subsequently established MSC International College (Media, Art and Design), the International Modern Art and Design College of Yunnan University, the International Modern Art and Design College of Inner Mongolian Normal University, and the Chen Sun International Modern Art and Design College of Hunan Zhuzhou Yandi University. His philosophy in art education contributed to the development of modern art and design education in Malaysia and China. He was widely recognised as the Father of Malaysian Modern Art Education for the numerous art schools which he founded
Throughout his career, Professor Chung actively promoted international exchange in arts education. He held leadership roles in the Asia Pacific Art Education Association and, in 1982, co-founded the International Contemporary Ink Painting Association, serving as the President for eight years. During this time, he dedicated himself to the modernisation of Chinese ink painting. He was also President of the Malaysian Chinese Cultural Society for 15 years, where he worked tirelessly to promote the Malaysian Chinese culture development and international exchanges.
Rooted in both Chinese and Western art history, Professor Chung drew deep inspiration from Taoist philosophy, as well as Confucian and Buddhist teachings. Guided by the belief that “traveling thousands of miles is better than reading thousands of books,” he saw art as a lifelong journey of exploration and expression to reflect a pursuit of life at its purest and most beautiful.
His works were showcased in over 20 countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, India, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Brazil, Australia and New Zealand. He also held more than 20 solo art exhibitions both locally and abroad. In 2007, Professor Chung donated over 100 pieces of artwork and 1,000 collectibles to Yunnan Province. In recognition of his contributions, Yunnan University established the Chung Chen Sun Art Museum, the first university museum in China named after a living artist. In 2011, the Chung Chen Sun Art Museum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, was established. His collection of works is now housed at various museums, galleries, government agencies, enterprises and private collectors.
Among his many accolades were the Pingat Pangkuan Negara (PPN) awarded by the King of Malaysia in 1977, the Cultural and Art Highest Honour Award from Taiwan in 1984, and he was selected for the International Celebrity Collection, which was published in Cambridge, UK, in 1985. He was named one of the Ten Outstanding Hakka Personalities of the World and later recognised as one of the 118 Distinguished Hakka Individuals since the Tang Dynasty. In 1995, he received top distinctions in calligraphy and painting from cultural institutions in Taiwan.
His accomplishment in art education and the reinvention of ink paintings were stemmed from his deep artistic mastery. His vision, thought, insight and dedication earned him a place in the history of art. As Taiwanese art critic Professor Luo Qing noted, “From the sketch and freehand brushwork in the earlier period, his style has been evolving, reflecting aesthetics of the East and the West. On the solid foundation of tradition is built a mind that sets off to innovate. This is what a Master of Art is about. Indeed, this is a rare accomplishment anywhere in the world.” Similarly, renowned Chinese art critic Professor Shao Da Zhen remarked that his work was “progressive in nature, in that it enlightens and inspires a large number of artists in the East, including those in China." For his significant contributions in his artistic practice, Professor Chung has also been honoured with the title Father of Malaysian Contemporary Ink Painting.
Professor Chung passed away in 2024. With a legacy that spans continents and generations, his influence continues to shape the world of art and education. NAFA is proud to posthumously confer upon him the Distinguished Alumni Award.