Khaw Sia (Penang)

     
          Born in China in 1913, Khaw Sia studied at the Sung Hua Academy in Shanghai from 1925-32. There, he met several famous Chinese brush painters, including Xu Beihong ( 1895-1953 ) who praised his talents highly. Later in 1933, he received private tuition in watercolour painting from Sir Russel Flint in England.His family migrated to Penang in 1937. He painted in oil, pastel and watercolour with equal artistry. His watercolours which depicted local Malaysian scenes and customs, had a strong influence of English watercolour aesthetics.
            He held his first one-man show in Penang in 1955, exhibiting paintings of Balinese women and landscapes. From then on, his fame spread far and wide. Between 1954 to 1959, several of his paintings were accepted by the Royal Academy Annual Exhibition (London), Royal Institute Summer Salon Exhibition (London), Royal Water Colour Society Exhibition (London)Royal Flower Painting Exhibition (London) and Paris Salon Annual Exhibition (169E Exposition Officielle des Beaux-arts, 1956).
           In 1966, he held another one-man show in Perak, specialising in oil portraits. His masterpieces included paintings of the Sultan of Perak, who officiated at the opening, and his consort.
           Born in China in 1913, Khaw Sia studied at the Sung Hua Academy in Shanghai from 1925-32. There, he met several famous Chinese brush painters, including Xu Beihong ( 1895-1953 ) who praised his talents highly. Later in 1933, he received private tuition in watercolour painting from Sir Russel Flint in England.
          His family migrated to Penang in 1937. He painted in oil, pastel and watercolour with equal artistry. His watercolours which depicted local Malaysian scenes and customs, had a strong influence of English watercolour aesthetics. He held his first one-man show in Penang in 1955, exhibiting paintings of Balinese women and landscapes. From then on, his fame spread far and wide. Between 1954 to 1959, several of his paintings were accepted by the Royal Academy Annual Exhibition (London), Royal Institute Summer Salon Exhibition (London), Royal Water Colour Society Exhibition (London)Royal Flower Painting Exhibition (London) and Paris Salon Annual Exhibition (169E Exposition Officielle des Beaux-arts, 1956). In 1966, he held another one-man show in Perak, specialising in oil portraits. His masterpieces included paintings of the Sultan of Perak, who officiated at the opening, and his consort.

The late David Chen     1953
Water Colour     76 X 56 cm

        Besides his devotion to the world of art, Khaw Sia was also an expert in the cultivation of orchids. He was a member of the American Orchid Society. His passion for orchids resulted in him travelling extensively to Taiwan, Phillippines, Hong Kong, Thailand and Indonesia, looking foe new species for his garden. Naturally, he captivated their beauty on paper, depicting the delicacy and charm of the orchids, with colours so valid, so radiant and brimming over with life. He held one-man exhibitions of orchids watercolour paintings in 1966, 1976 and 1977.        
          He received awards for his art at Le Salon Paris (1956), Summer Salon 14th annual exhibition at the Royal Institute Galleries, London (1957), and National Society 25th Exhibition, England (1958).  His paintings are collected all over the world, including the National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur.
He died in 1984 at the age of 71 years.Besides his devotion to the world of art, Khaw Sia was also an expert in the cultivation of orchids. He was a member of the American Orchid Society. His passion for orchids resulted in him travelling extensively to Taiwan, Phillippines, Hong Kong, Thailand and Indonesia, looking foe new species for his garden. Naturally, he captivated their beauty on paper, depicting the delicacy and charm of the orchids, with colours so valid, so radiant and brimming over with life. He held one-man exhibitions of orchids watercolour paintings in 1966, 1976 and 1977.
          He received awards for his art at Le Salon Paris (1956), Summer Salon 14th annual exhibition at the Royal Institute Galleries, London (1957), and National Society 25th Exhibition, England (1958).
          His paintings are collected all over the world, including the National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur. He died in 1984 at the age of 71 years.

Procession   1953   Oil   50 x 34 cm