HUIFONG NG, an award-winning portrait artist, is also a poet, author and the founder of Huifong’s Art Gallery (H.A.G), a professional art consultancy gallery with international and regional collaborations, and Atelier Huifong Ng, an art academy which nurtured and empowered personalized fine art learning in children and adolescents from 2017 until 2023.
Huifong was also awarded as 50 Most Inspiring Linked In Icons by The Bruneian News, in 2020 and 2022 respectively.
Born in the 1980s in Kuala Belait, Brunei Darussalam, her keen interest in art, specifically portraiture, started in her early years where as little as 7 years old, she would draw her own portrait on scrap papers by observing her facial features in front of her bedroom mirror. As her interest extended, her siblings became her models during her childhood art practice at home.
As a young adult, Huifong studied and worked in the creative industry, firstly in Interior Design and later, Graphic Design. Huifong began her painting journey when she was 30 years old. She made her lone voyage to United States of America in 2011 to learn painting, and in the following years, to France and Italy to pursue art and sculpture learning.
Huifong and Francis Pratt, her art mentor, at the Painting School of Montmiral, France, 2014.
Huifong’s paternal grandparents came from Zhao’an, Zhangzhou city of the Fujian province, China.
Huifong warmly welcomed by fellow artists of Zhangzhou when she visited the city in May 2023.
Beginning of her painting journey
In 2014, Huifong was invited by Alliance Francaise de Brunei Darussalam to exhibit her works in conjunction of La Francophone Week.
That same year, Huifong held her premiere solo ART AND EMOTION in Singapore, where her two portraits of Lee Kuan Yew became the highlights of the exhibition that garnered wide public exposure and media attention, both in Singapore and Brunei. The exhibition kickstarted Huifong’s painting career.
Awards
Huifong exhibited extensively in Brunei, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, China and Italy. She was awarded Special Award of the 1st Biennale of Umbria and The Colosseo Art Prize in Italy.
Huifong received Special Award from 1st Biennale of Umbria, Italy, 2015.Huifong received The Colosseo Art Prize, Palazzo Brancaccio, Rome, 2016.Awarded Honourary Advisor to Jusha Public Welfare Association of North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou, China, with Jusha President Dr. Pang Yanjie, 25th May 2023.Receiving certificate and trophy awarded by Secretary-General Shi Zhongjun of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) on winning of the 3rd prize in Logo Design Contest for 2024 ASEAN-China Year of People to People Exchanges sponsored by ACC, 29th February 2024.
Accolade and honour
Over the years, Huifong’s painting achievements have drawn the attention and affirmation of the art circles. Her famous works include The Founding Father of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Singapore then-President Tony Tan and spouse, Singapore then-President Halimah Yacob and spouse, Malaysia then-Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir and spouse, and President of Timor-Leste Dr. José Ramos-Horta. Her paintings were presented to the leaders in public and private events.
In 2017, Huifong presented a painting of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and His Majesty’s father, the late Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien III to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of His Majesty’s coronation.
Painting presentation to Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of Singapore by Dato Seri Toh Soon Huat, Chairman of Sian Chay Medical Institution, with Huifong and Members of Parliament, Singapore, 2015.
Painting presentation to Tony Tan, President of Singapore by Dato Seri Toh Soon Huat, Chairman of Sian Chay Medical Institution, Singapore, 2016.
Painting presentation to palace representatives of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Brunei Darussalam, 2017.
Painting presentation to Halimah Yacob, President of Singapore by Dato Seri Toh Soon Huat, Chairman of Sian Chay Medical Institution and Dato’ Dr. Tan Hian Tsin, Founder of Crocodile International, and son, Singapore, 2018.
Painting presentation to Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammad, Prime Minister of Malaysia and Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah by James Lee, Chairman of Persatuan Warganegara Malaysia in Brunei (Malaysian Association Brunei), Brunei Darussalam, 2018.Invited by Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism and in collaboration with Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Huifong held her first solo “Raja Julangan Kasih Rakyat” in her home country, Brunei Darussalam, 2018.Painting Presentation to HRH Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador at Large of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Brunei by Her Excellency Yu Hong, Chinese Ambassador to Brunei, and The Honourable Major General (Rtd) Dato Aminuddin, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Brunei during the launch of Brunei-China Year of Tourism, Brunei Darussalam, 2020.Painting Presentation to HRH Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at Prime Minister’s Office by The Honourable Dato Seri Setia Haji Ali, Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism, Brunei during the launch of ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF), Brunei Darussalam, 2020.Painting Presentation to The Honorable Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr.) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, Minister of Home Affairs by Ti Eng Hui, CEO of Baiduri Bank Group, during the launch of Urban Bites by Baiduri, Brunei Darussalam, 2021.Commissioned Painting for Baiduri Bank. Seen here Prince Abdul Fattaah, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Baiduri Bank Group, CEO Ti Eng Hui and Board Member Professor David Grayson, 2021.Painting from “Raja Julangan Kasih Rakyat” exhibition acquired as Private Collection, 2022.Live Painting Performance for His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Dipertuan of Brunei Darussalam and the Royal Family during the re-opening of Energy Hub Dermaga DiRaja, Brunei Darussalam, 23.10.2022.Unveiling “Goodwill Visit by QI JIGUANG to Brunei” painting with Senior Colonel Dai Qilin at the dinner reception celebrating the 96th Anniversary of the Founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army hosted by the Chinese Embassy, Brunei Darussalam, on 24th July 2023.Presenting Portrait Painting to President Dr. José Ramos-Horta, on 8th November 2023.Presenting The Garden of Rhapsodies to President José Ramos-Horta, on 8th November 2023.
Travel for art and soul
Huifong also pays courtesy visits during her travels to strengthen artistic relations and deepen cultural understanding between countries.
Huifong paid a courtesy visit to Deputy Head of Zhaoqing University, Guangzhou, China, 2019.Huifong visited Beijing Research Institute of Culture and History upon invitation of the Deputy Director, 2018.
“I love this painting which decorated the entrance hall. It was done by a few renowned artists of Beijing. The cats were drawn by Master Sun JuSheng, a renowned artist who is now 106 years old.“
The founding of Atelier Huifong Ng and its stewardship
Huifong is also a firm believer in the artistic potentials of young children. She stewarded her students in winning first prizes in the 9th Flag of Peace Art Competition in China in 2019.
Students posing with their First Prizes from 9th Flag of Peace Art Competition, 2019.Huifong and her student, Pengiran Seti Amanina Wafiqah Wadood Bolkiah in the atelier where they have spent many happy moments before Atelier Huifong Ng embraced online learning, 2020.
The founding of Huifong’s Art Gallery (H.A.G)
Huifong founded Huifong’s Art Gallery with the aim to provide a platform with international collaborations. During the pandemic, in 2020, Huifong gathered artists from 10 countries to meet virtually to discuss ways in overcoming challenges and seeing new opportunities in the art world post-COVID.
H.A.G INTERNATIONAL ART FORUM gathers artists, art consultants and gallerists from 10 countries across 3 continents to share on a virtual platform at Baiduri Bank Headquarters, Brunei, 2020.H.A.G gathers artists from Brunei and China to share on a virtual platform in conjunction with Brunei-China Art and Visual Culture Festival in celebration of the establishment of the 30th Anniversary of Brunei-China diplomatic ties at Baiduri Bank Headquarters, Brunei, 2021.
Huifong has also been actively involved in curating, organizing and participating in cross-country and cross-culture art and cultural exchange activities and exhibitions with galleries or/and schools from countries such as Argentina, China, Indonesia, Italy and Singapore.
Co-organizing THE SCHOOL OF PARIS BETWEEN MONTMARTRE AND MONTPARNASSE AND THE CURRENT EUROPEAN ARTISTS” with GBK Malta Ltd (Malta) in Brunei Darussalam, 2019.
Passion and purpose
Huifong is passionate about writing, reading and just immersing in nature. She speaks seven languages – English, Bahasa Melayu, Mandarin, Hokkien, Cantonese, French and Italian. She is also author to “The Garden Rhapsodies – Stories, Paintings and Poetry by Huifong Ng” which is available in English and Chinese versions.
The Launching of “The Garden Rhapsodies” book by Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism, Brunei Darussalam, 2020.
As seen in:
Borneo Bulletin, Media Permata, Pelita Brunei, The Straits Times, Sin Chew Daily, See Hwa Daily, United Daily, The Bruneian News, Sutera, Borneo Insider’s Guide, Bruneions, Inspire, Dua Minggu, The Scoop, Biz Brunei, DAZIBAO de Lyon (France), Radio Digiesse (Italy), TeleDiamante (Italy).
Radio Televisyen Brunei (RTB): Documentary “Huifong dan Lukisan Potretnya”, Documentary “Belajar Seni Lukis”, Documentary “Kreativiti di atas Kanvas”, News At 10, Berita Perdana, RTB Perdana, Rampai Pagi, Pilihan FM (English and Mandarin).
