Jagung / 江泽强

I am Kong Chak Kiong, also known by my artist name, “Jagung”. Born in 1991, I am a Malaysian traveller and self-taught artist whose primary medium is spray paint. Since 2015, I have been developing my mural practice independently, focusing on 3D realistic objects, portraiture, inverse colour compositions, puzzle concepts, and poker card-inspired visual elements. I love travelling around the world to paint as many walls as possible. Travelling replenishes my mind, body, and soul, while also inspiring me artistically as I learn about new places, people, and cultures. Without any formal tertiary art education, I continue to broaden my horizons through real-life experiences, observation, and constant exploration. For me, travelling is like painting a portrait. I enjoy observing every little detail of the environment and the people around me. This careful observation has shaped the way I create, especially in my realistic mural work, where every detail matters. What I enjoy most is the process of refining a mural until the character, emotion, and story come alive. Starting a mural from scratch, playing with warm and cool colours, and gradually transforming a flat surface into a 3D illusion gives me a deep sense of accomplishment. In many of my works, I like to invert colours to make the composition more striking and less predictable. I call this my “showstopper” technique. In recent years, I have also expanded my visual language by incorporating puzzle and poker card elements into my artwork. The puzzle concept represents the process of self-discovery, memory, identity, and the many fragmented experiences that shape a person’s journey. The poker card element reflects life’s uncertainty, choices, risk, strategy, and the idea of making the best move with the cards we are given. I always keep an open mind toward opinions and criticism, and I enjoy connecting with other artists as part of my growth. To me, learning is an endless process. Every wall, every journey, and every encounter becomes part of my development as an artist.