Art is my favoured mode of self-expression. When I paint, I feel in harmony with myself, allowing my accumulated thoughts, emotions, and perceptions, to manifest on the canvass.  I no longer use sketches, preferring to move with the momentum of the work itself.  This process of self-discovery is a joyful and meditative way of painting. 

My work tends to focus on the positive and beautiful aspects of our world, on balance, purity and serenity. I try to bring calmness and positivity to people through my painting, and this desire helps me to stay aware of and focused on the beauty of my environment. The themes of my paintings come directly from my life and surroundings: nature, stories I have heard, people I have met, mythology and symbolism that interests me.  

Growing up in Malaysia, so diverse and vibrant a place, has deeply influenced my work. While my art has changed a great deal over time, bold contrasting colours, free brushstrokes and rich textures have been constants. The palette comes from life in the southeast Asian sun, where everything is colour, colour and colour!  And the brushwork and textures reflect my connection with the Nature of my homeland. As a child I played with the soil, sand and leaves on the ground; now I play with them on  the canvas.  Acrylic has become my medium of choice. I love the richness of colour and texture, the versatility of the medium, so compatible with my fluid working style, and so suitable for improvisation with other media. My working process is always a pleasure! 

My love of painting has been growing for more than thirty years. I am deeply grateful to my parents, who have supported me since I graffitied their bedroom wall at the age of four, and to my patrons, who are sharing the fruits of my creativity and becoming part of the history of my art.

 

Journey of my art

 

I was born in Malaysia, learning to paint at a very young age.  When I was sixteen, I began doing commissioned work and running art classes, and in my early twenties I was lecturing at the prestigious Academy of Art.  Whilst lecturing, I founded Tong Hua Art School, dedicated to the creative education of children and teenagers, from between the ages of four and nineteen. Sharing knowledge of art with my students through the years has been a wonderful and inspiring journey.

I came to the UK in my late twenties with the mission of bringing my art to the West, and, after several successful London exhibitions, moved to Scotland in my early thirties. I now work from HoeyynArts, my studio and gallery in Edinburgh's Old Town, frequently working between Edinburgh and London.

 

Artistic studies and training

 

1996 - 1999         BA in Illustration, The One Academy, Malaysia

1993 - 1996         Certificate in Fine Art, Pin Hua High School, Malaysia

Studies in Chinese Calligraphy, Chinese Ink Painting, Graphic Design, Website Design  

& Design Software

 

Awards

 

2008     Top Ten Outstanding Artists, Malaysia

    -       Platinum Award

 

2003     Shell Poster Design Competition

• 3rd prize winner

 

1996     Malaysia Drawing Competition 1996

             -    Champion in Water Colour  

 

1996     Malaysia Lunar Year Chinese Calligraphy Competition

             -    2nd prize winner

 

Shows and Exhibitions

Solo

2016    "Mother Earth" solo exhibition, HoeyynArts, Edinburgh, UK

2015     "How Many Lives + NEW Collections" solo exhibition,

              HoeyynArts, Edinburgh, UK

             "How Many Lives" solo exhibition, Nancy Victor Gallery, London, UK

             "How Many Lives" solo exhibition, HoeyynArts, Edinburgh, UK

2014     "Essence of Life", HoeyynArts Opening Exhibition, Edinburgh, UK

2012      "FaceTraces" solo art exhibition, Patriothall Gallery, Edinburgh, UK

2009      "Face to Face" Solo Art Exhibition, Woo Space, Edinburgh, UK

2007      "Impermanence" Solo Art Exhibition, Innes, Mayfair, London, UK

2006      "Inner Green" Solo Art Exhibition, Innes, Mayfair, London, UK

1999    "My World of Strokes" Solo Chinese Calligraphy Exhibition, Xiu Xian Art Space, Malaysia  

 

Group

2015     "Pure Love Caring Fund for Good Samaritan Home", international group exhibition, Malaysia

2014     "Pulau Ketam Art Festival 2014" international group exhibition, Malaysia

2005     "Characters" Candid Art Trust, London, UK

             “Soho Group Exhibition”, London, UK

2004      "Fine Arts" group exhibition, The One Gallery, Malaysia

2003     "The One Strokes" group exhibition, The One Gallery, Malaysia

2003     "Year of the Goat" Chinese Calligraphy group exhibition, Malaysia

2001      Chinese Calligraphy group exhibition , Malaysia

2000      “Moon Cake Festival – Yue Yuan Hwa Hao” Malaysia Klang Artist group  exhibition, Malaysia  

1999      "Tiger Woods" group exhibition at the World Cup Golf Tournament at Mines Golf Resort, Malaysia

        

Project Involvement

• 2015  Art for Charity to Pure Love Caring Fund for Good Samaritan Home

• 2013  "Malaysian Night" organised by Malaysian External Trade Development   

            Corporation (MATRADE), London, UK.

            - Representing Malaysian Arts

• 2010     " London Taste Festival - Taste of Malaysia" organised by Malaysia

External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), London, UK.

• - Representing Malaysian Arts

• 2007      Contributed art to charity auction for "Rewilding China's Tigers campaign" , Save China's Tigers,  London, UK

• 2003      Commissioned to produce paintings of several leading movie stars for film launch in Malaysia  

• 2003      Commissioned to produce painting for Fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia - Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad Tribute Exhibition. "Grand Portrait Pays Tribute to PM's Peace Leadership"

• 2000      Judge in Art Competition "Art for The Creative Soul" , Malaysia

 

Working Experience

 

2014 -  Presen       Fine Art Artist & Gallery Owner

                           HoeyynArts, Edinburgh , Scotland

 

2005 -  2013          Fine Art Artist

                            HoeyynArts, Edinbrugh, Scotland

 

2000 -  2005          Founder & Head Tutor

                            TongHua Art School, Malaysia

                             - Writing the course syllabi, teaching, selection of additional tutors, administration of art school

 

2000 -  2005          Assistant Director

                             One Art Club, The One Academy, Malaysia
                             - Co-planning Art Club's programme with creative input on the club’s direction

 

2000 -  2005          Lecturer

                            The One Academy, Malaysia

                            - Teaching, structuring the art course, writing the syllabus

 

2000 -  2005          Tutor and Course Developer

                            Da Vinci Creative Kids, Malaysia

                            - Teaching, structuring the art course, writing the syllabus

 

1999 - 2001          Chinese Calligraphy Tutor

                           Chinese Calligraphy Class of  Teo Jiu Society, Malaysia

                           - Teaching, structuring the calligraphy course, writing the syllabus

                                                

2000                     Designer and Illustrator  

                           Titijaya Housing Developer Company, Malaysia

                           - Illustration and Graphic Design

 

1993 - 1996          Art Tutor

                          Children Art Class, Malaysia

                          - Teaching, structuring the art course, writing the syllabus

Photo by : Javier Preito