Jun Ong is an artist whose work involves creating luminous installations that blend light with architecture to create mesmerizing and awe-inspiring artworks. In his ongoing series called “Stars,” Ong uses LED strips to intersect with the human-built environment, resulting in monumental and illuminated geometries that captivate viewers.
One of Ong’s latest pieces, titled “HALO,” utilizes an existing architectural structure as a site-specific framework for his installation. In this artwork, beams of light seem to penetrate through stone and concrete, appearing both contained by the buildings and yet unaffected by their solidity.
The inspiration behind “HALO” comes from the Xiu De Bai Pavilion, a former Buddhist temple in Yan Shui, Tainan, Taiwan, which dates back to the Qing dynasty. Ong explains that the temple has a rich history of supporting the community, making it a fitting location for his exploration of time and space through light.
The concept of light as a metaphor for enlightenment is central to Ong’s work, as it symbolizes the awakening and understanding of truth. Much like the bright aura or halo often depicted around sacred figures in various religions, Ong’s use of light aims to illuminate our surroundings and our past.
“HALO” builds upon Ong’s previous work, “STAR/BUTTERWORTH,” which he installed in Penang, Malaysia, in 2015. Inspired by the designs of Buckminster Fuller and the optical illusions of M.C. Escher, Ong manipulates light and architecture using only tensile steel cables and LED strips to create colossal objects that appear to burst out of buildings like glitches in time.
The starburst form of “HALO” can also be interpreted as a ring of light, drawing parallels to Ong’s earlier piece, “STAR/KL,” installed in Kuala Lumpur. The artist envisions his “Star” series expanding to different cities, cultures, and terrains, such as caves, deserts, or forests, offering unique experiences to viewers around the world.
Commissioned for the 2024 Yuejin Art Museum Festival, “HALO” is on display until February 16. Additionally, Ong’s artwork “POLARIS” can be seen at the Amsterdam Light Festival until January 19. To learn more about Jun Ong and his work, visit his website and Instagram page for updates on upcoming projects and installations.
