Current Exhibition > Depicting the Beauty of Nature—Ink Painting Exhibition by Hon Peow
Virtual Exhibition: 12 July 2025 - 10 August 2025

Depicting the Beauty of Nature—Ink Painting Exhibition by Hon Peow

An aesthetic practice of life inspired by nature, rooted in the essence of the Nanyang region, and articulated through expressive lines and ink tones.
His works are neither ostentatious nor attention-seeking. They embody a pursuit of beauty in its purest form.

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Serene Old Rain Tree

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Ink on rice paper

177 x 94 cm x 4

2017

Hoopes Nesting in the Rain Tree

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Ink on rice paper

138.5 x 69.5 cm

2021

The King of Rubber Tree

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Ink and colour on rice paper

169 x 96 cm

2024

A Scene of a Rubber Plantation at Dawn

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Ink and colour on rice paper

97 x 177 cm

2023

The Musang King

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Ink and colour on rice paper

137 x 68.5 cm

2024

Coconuts And Crested Mynas

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Ink and colour on rice paper

136 x 68 cm

2023

Two Eagles At Dawn

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Ink and colour on rice paper

96 x 177 cm

2021

A Loving Scene At The Pond

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Ink on rice paper

99 x 49 cm

2023

Spring Brings New Atmosphere

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Ink and colour on rice paper

99 x 49 cm

2019

A Night Of Bright Moonlight And Soft Breeze

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Ink on rice paper

153 x 113 cm

2020

Vast Paddy Field After Harvest

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Ink and colour on rice paper

171 x 92 cm

2022

A Brook In The Hill

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Ink and colour on rice paper

139 x 68 cm

2020

Fisherman (Ospreys)

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Ink on rice paper

175.5 x 92 cm

2021

Peach Flowers In Full Bloom

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Ink on rice paper

132 x 68 cm

2020

Exhibition Introduction

Co-curators: Chew Giok Wah & Chan Wen Xuan

 

Nature’s beauty speaks for itself. Beauty often requires no words, but it profoundly touches us.

The Depicting the Beauty of Nature — Ink Painting Exhibition features ink paintings by Malaysian artist Hon Peow from Taiping, Perak. With decades of dedication and perseverance, his art embodies an aesthetic practice of life inspired by nature, rooted in the essence of the Nanyang region, and articulated through expressive lines and ink tones.

Hon Peow graduated from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) in Singapore in 1964, specialising in oil painting. Although still young at the time, he was deeply attracted to the lyrical charm of Chinese literature and the expressive brushwork, rhythmic lines, and fluid flow of energy of ink painting. From then on, he set aside his oil paints and dedicated himself entirely to ink as the primary medium for his artworks. Through ink painting, he aims to engage in a dialogue with the world around him and with his inner self, translating what he sees, hears, contemplates, and feels into works that are rich in poetic and spiritual expressions.

This exhibition presents over a decade of Hon Peow’s ink painting explorations, featuring 60 works created between 2011 and 2024. They are organised into four thematic sections: “Poetic Rhythm of Ink and Colours”, “Nostalgia in Rubber Woods”, “Rain Trees of Taiping”, and “Seeking the Beauty in Nature”. His artistic work combines tradition with ongoing breakthroughs in the boundaries of technique and subject matter, revitalising the traditional medium of ink. His art shines with a unique luster, reflecting the spirit and sensibility of the Nanyang region in contemporary expression.

In the first section of the exhibition, titled Poetic Rhythm of Ink and Colours, a selection of 11 masterpieces of ink and colour landscapes, created with large brushstrokes are displayed, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the realms conjured by his lyrical brush. Nostalgia in Rubber Woods reflects the artist’s cherished memories and emotional experiences in the rubber estate. Starting at the age of nine, he assisted his parents with rubber tapping. In his youth, he returned to the rubber estate to earn a living. It wasn’t until his forties that he picked up his brush again to paint, and devoted himself to teaching art. Those formative years spent with rubber trees have profoundly instilled in him a deep respect for both nature and labour. He breaks away from the traditional ink and wash, and develops his own distinctive “Rubber Tree Series”, where it stands out as a rare and powerful subject in Malaysian visual art culture.

The Rain Trees of Taiping series originated from his deep affection and careful observation of the natural landscapes surrounding the peaceful town of Taiping, his home. Those spreading rain trees, gently illuminated by sunlight and hydrated by rain, served as his spiritual anchor and an endless source of inspiration in his quest for beauty.

Located on the first floor, Seeking the Beauty in Nature showcases Hon Peow’s core artistic creations. Through his ink paintings of flowers and birds, he expresses purity and happiness of the soul, turning simple and meaningful moments of everyday life into timeless works of art. Under his brush, flowers and birds have long surpassed the mere depiction of images, but are his realisation of life’s elegance, his tribute to nature, and his heartfelt blessings offered to all who behold them.

Hon Peow’s works are neither ostentatious nor attention-seeking. They embody a pursuit of beauty in its purest form. Daisaku Ikeda, President of Soka Gakkai International, once remarked: “Nature itself aims at beauty, and life strives for beauty.” We hope this “Journey in Search of Beauty” will not only lead viewers into the artistic universe of Hon Peow, but also arouse us to rediscover and cherish the beauty of simplicity and serenity in our lives, as well as to gain spiritual nourishment and enlightenment from it.

 

Exhibition opening hours: 11 am – 5 pm (Closed on Mondays)
Prior appointment is required for groups of more than 20 people, Please get in touch with us at https://b.link/WhatsApp_SokaPCE

Hon Peow

Hon Peow

1939. Born in Manong, Perak

 

Education and Honours

1964: Graduated from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA)

2015 – Current: Advisor of Cao Tang Men Eastern Arts Society Malaysia

2016 – Current: Advisor of Penang Chinese Brush Painting Art Society

2022: Unilifesity Veteran Spirit Award by Unilifesity

2022 – Current: Advisor of Sungai Petani Calligraphy and Painting Society

2024 – Current: Advisor of Perak Modern Art Society

 

Solo Exhibition

2010: “My Beautiful Land” Solo Chinese Ink Painting Exhibition, Chin Woo Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur

2011: Solo Exhibition, Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen Temple, Selangor

2014: Solo Exhibition, Yi Circle Tranquillity Space, Penang

2015: Solo Exhibition, Southern University College Museum and Art Gallery, Johor

2022: Hon Peow: Chinese Art Painting Exhibition 2022, 22 Hale Street Heritage Gallery, Perak