Essud Fungcap paints to excite, to calm, to stir emotion with a sensitivity to color and form influenced by a lifetime in the Caribbean. He acknowledges the contributions that a bicultural upbringing, a Chinese father and a Haitian mother, have made to his sense of wonder of the world around him. He is constantly striving to inject aspects of surrealism in his work and at the same time convey a certain quiet, peaceful tropical style that reinforces our sense of “being there”. Essud believes that critical study of color and form for each individual work are essential, and consequently his work always undergoes several transformations before reaching the point where he feels that it is ready for presentation.

Music is an integral part of Essud's life, and he finds many parallels in the works of great Latin, jazz, and classical composers as he searches for the natural rhythm of his own work. To that end, he sees himself as a composer of sorts, bringing together different mediums, ideas, and emotions to create harmony and bring “life” to his paintings. According to Essud, “A life without art would bring despair, but art without the life it seeks to represent would be unbearable.”

Essud was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He began painting as a child and at the age of five was accepted to the Foyer des Arts Plastiques. He began his studies under the supervision of such Internationally well known artists as Cedor, Nehemy Jean, Lazard, Gourgues, etc. and then went on to attend the Academie des Beaux Arts. Several years later, he opened his own studio in partnership with two renowned artists, Carol Theart and Edward Wah.

In 1970, he came to the United States where he studied at the SOHO Art Center in New York then moved on to Florida where he took courses at the Coral Gables Museum of Art. Later, he decided to study visual communications and Graphic Design at the Houston Art Institute of Texas. In addition to showing his work in the United States and abroad, he maintains his strength through teaching and personalized study (Art Students League of New York). His images have been published in magazines worldwide. He recently was invited for a presentation at the Chicago Cultural Center during the “Meeting of the Two Worlds” event. His new released prints have been well received at the Philadelphia and Atlanta ABC's, and at the New York ART EXPO Jacob Javits Center. He has also received numerous national awards including the Manhattan Arts International Magazine's, the Annli's Outstanding Achievers Award in New York, and the Chicago Museum of Science Honorable Mention for his creativity. In July 1998, at the National Black Art Festival, during a paint-out/exhibit at the Atlanta Underground, he was invited to appear on the NBC Channel 11 “In Depth” program with Wess Sarginssen to talk about his works and his impressions. In February 1999, he exhibited at the Atlanta State Capitol where he met with Governor Georges Barnes and Mayor Bill Campbell. In March 2000, he was invited to appear on the FOX/TV program “Good Day Atlanta.” In March 2001, Atlanta-base NBC/TV featured him as Artist of the Month on their website, as well as the Howard University student website. His works are included in many prestigious private and public collections, and are very well demanded among Art Lovers.