As one of Malaysia’s leading contemporary artists, Chong Siew Ying is best known for unique expressive figures which translate the inner world of her characters, creating a lasting impression on viewers. At the heart of Chong Siew Ying’s work are the stories of humanity, and the human condition. Within Calling, against a serene background of Chinese inspired mountainscapes, a figure bursts forth across the centre of the painting, and is a realistic study of emotions, endowing this work with emotive power. The artist has illustrated the upper part of the face and graceful contours of hands that exude a subtle and elegant quality. The landscape is informed by spiritual and artistic conceptions of Chinese ink painting which embodies the culture and mind of the artist. As a timeless metaphor for the fleeting nature of life, flowers create strong visual impact and have a symbolic relation to time.