Khaw Sia who migrated to Penang from China, is one of eight pioneer artists who started the art movement in Malaysia. As a first-generation artist in the country, he contributed to the flourishing art scene by mentoring creative students.
Khaw Sia also influenced many younger artists with his signature painting of dew drops on orchid plants. He was particularly passionate in the cultivation of orchids and he documented them relentlessly in watercolour, the same way cameras are commonly used today. There is a generous body of watercolours by Khaw Sia and rarer pieces in oil and pastels.
At this current exhibition in the E&O, you will see a cross section of Khaw Sia’s works covering still-life and landscapes, mainly realistic in style. His paintings are sold at art auctions in Malaysia and Singapore, and since 2013, at Christie’s Hong Kong. The National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur and the Penang State Art Gallery are two known local institutions with Khaw Sia’s art in their permanent collection.
