S. Moe Z. says about the inspiration for his moody works of monks and nuns:

“I appreciate the value of light. Because of light, we can feel and see all objects. In my paintings, I always paint darkness in order to appreciate the light. Without light, everything is impossible. The dark in the paintings represents suffocation in this country where most people are trying to survive. There is only a very little hope, which is like a dim flickering light.

The main feature of my composition is this contrast between dark and light. The subject of my work - monks and nuns - is almost incidental; I have featured them because the color of their robes goes well with black. I underpaint the canvas black, and then I draw the figures directly. I take pleasure in omitting the shadows and just painting the light against the deep black background. How long I take to finish the paintings depends on my emotion. Sometimes, it takes about two weeks, sometimes about one month.”