my story

Growing up in a village embraced by forests and wildlife in Malaysia, I developed an early love for painting. I sketched trees, birds, shifting clouds, and a small cabin with smoke curling from its chimney. Although I pursued a different academic path while studying in England, my passion for art was reignited in 1994 after a visit to the Pacific Northwest. Moved by its expansive landscapes and quiet beauty, I settled in Portland, Oregon, where I began to paint and write in earnest.

A pivotal moment in my artistic journey came in 2009 during a painting workshop in Buonconvento, Italy. Surrounded by artists from all walks of life, I was struck by how a single subject could be interpreted in countless ways. That experience deepened my understanding of artistic voice and brought to mind Picasso’s words: “We learn the rules like professionals so we can break them like artists.” It was then that I fully committed to art as a lifelong path.

My work has since been exhibited internationally, including at the Kyungpook National University Art Museum, Korea, Daegu Art Museum in Korea, the Salle Polyvalente in France, Shanghai Duolun MoMA, the Museum of Fine Arts in Ho Chi Minh City, Ningbo People's Art Museum in China, Art Nordic in Norway, the Salle Polyvalente in France, Galeri Art Point in Malaysia, Avila University in Kansas City, Missouri, and many others.

Each exhibition marks a step in an ongoing exploration of visual storytelling—where memory, place, and emotion converge on canvas.

My work weaves together elements of Eastern and Western artistic traditions, creating a dialogue across cultures, techniques, and histories. I paint with Chinese calligraphy ink, oil, and water, often incorporating unconventional materials—such as salt, wine, and tea—to evoke texture, atmosphere, and a sense of discovery.

Inspiration comes from nature, cultural and cross-disciplinary influences, and the boundless realm of imagination. Each piece becomes a fusion of tradition and experimentation, inviting reflection on the evolving relationship between material, meaning, and artistic expression.