A Dialogue Between Water and Geometry: The Timeless Philosophy of Sung Wan Shu

In the 2025 Autumn Season of the Future Art & Design Award UK, artist Sung Wan Shu received the Platinum Prize in the category of Mixed Media Painting for the work Flower of Life – Ripples. The piece, praised for its conceptual depth and striking execution, bridges cosmic philosophy, natural observation, and artistic innovation.

Below is the full interview with the artist.

Q: What initially inspired this project? Was there a particular idea, moment, or question that sparked its creation?

Sung Wan Shu: The inspiration for this project is deeply rooted in a quest to understand the fundamental laws of the universe. Through my frequent immersion in nature, I've observed how the dynamic expansion of water ripples and the static geometry of the Flower of Life symbolically reveal two facets of the same cosmic truth: the interconnectedness of all things and the sacred blueprint of life.

A pivotal moment of clarity came when I realized that combining these two elements could visualize a core philosophical question: How does our fleeting, individual existence partake in the eternal act of cosmic creation? Water ripples represent the infinite propagation of every life action—an initial vibration echoing through time and space (much like the butterfly effect). In contrast, the Flower of Life symbolizes the eternal field from which all existence emerges and returns. This project is an attempt to translate the philosophical concept of “flowing eternity” into a tangible artistic form.

Q: What was the most exciting or most challenging aspect of bringing this work to life?

Sung Wan Shu: The most exhilarating part of this journey has been witnessing abstract philosophical and scientific concepts take physical shape through art. The creative process itself felt like a form of “energy resonance”—as ideas manifested through materials, form, and structure, it was as though potential transformed into actuality, echoing the very cycle of creation symbolized by the Flower of Life.

The greatest challenge, however, lay in balancing the dialectic between dynamic and static elements. Finding both visual and conceptual harmony between the transience of water ripples and the permanence of the Flower of Life required deep contemplation. Expressing the intangible principle of “balance between destruction and reconstruction” through a tangible artistic language became the most thoughtfully demanding aspect of the entire process.

Q: How was your experience taking part in the Future Art & Design Award UK?

Sung Wan Shu: Participating in the UK Future Art and Design Awards was a profoundly inspiring experience. It provided a valuable platform for this project—which explores cosmic geometry and the essence of life—to engage in dialogue with contemporary art and design. The attention and feedback from judges and audiences, particularly regarding the integration of ancient mystical traditions with modern scientific theories such as string theory and fractal geometry, resonated with me deeply. It reflected the very spirit the award encourages: transcending boundaries to explore the infinite possibilities of future thought and creation.