A survey of Peter Liew’s 40-year art journey, spanning landscapes and portraits


‘My art is expressed in my character. A lot of friends and art lovers, they are surprised to see me, such a small-sized, very soft-spoken man. How come your paintings seem so vibrant and rough?’ says Liew. Photo: The Star/Raja Faisal Hishan

Visual artist Peter Liew is in high spirits as he walks through the seventh floor of Wisma Kebudayaan SGM in Kuala Lumpur. He points out some of the most famous people in history, their faces peering down upon him from their portraits: you can make out Mahatma Gandhi, Steve Jobs and Mother Teresa, among others. These are all the work of Liew, etched out painstakingly and patiently with oil paints and his painting knife.

Most people, Liew laughs, see the rough strokes and dramatic nature of his portraits, and assume he is completely different.

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