LOT 64
SOON LAI WAI
(B. Penang, 1970)
The Journey – Life Cycle 38, 2011
Signed and dated “Lai Wai 11” on lower left
Signed, titled and dated on verso
Mixed media on canvas
91 x 91 cm
Provenance
Private Collection, Kuala Lumpur
SOLD – RM 6,720
Soon Lai Wai believes that as an artist, one should try different palettes and try other techniques.
He practices what he preaches, as he explores new colours and palettes in his classic and faithful rendition of the lotus flowers. Shades of blue and green are present in this piece, subtly decorating the canvas, but careful enough not to take the attention away from the main subject. It is tasteful and elegant, and a true expression of beauty. There is a certain radiance and romantic feel to this piece, something that reminds one of the lotus flower itself – modest yet engaging. It is through this flower that Soon Lai Wai gained recognition when he first started off as an artist.
On creating the masterpiece and flow of colours, he said, “I rotate my canvas to allow the liquid paint to flow slowly and to settle into shapes of ponds, flowers or leaves.” He also believes that his canvas should practice the Oriental philosophy of balance – the yin and yang, space and form. “If the painting is full, it can’t breathe. With more empty space, there is more life.”
Soon Lai Wai was born in Penang in 1970. After attending the Saito Academy of Design, he began working as an artist for an overseas advertising company for five years before making the decision to become a full time artist. Until this day, his artworks are being collected by