Local artist Joanne Lau celebrates 70th birthday with solo exhibition ‘Colourful Echoes’

The most expensive piece entitled “The Garden Blooms 1, 2024” costs RM11,000 on display at Hoan Gallery, La Promenade Mall.

By Marlynda Meraw

KUCHING, May 18: Contemporary semi-abstract impressionist local artist, Joanne Lau, celebrates a significant milestone in her artistic journey with the unveiling of her inaugural solo exhibition at Hoan Gallery, La Promenade Mall today, coinciding with her 70th birthday.

Titled ‘Colourful Echoes,’ this exhibition showcases 51 acrylic-on-canvas artworks across six distinct series: ‘The Journey of My Life,’ ‘The Abstract Series,’ ‘The Rainforest Series,’ ‘The Forest Series,’ ‘The Garden Series,’ and ‘The New Zealand Series,’ gracing the gallery walls from May 18 to June 15.

Among the collection, the centerpiece ‘The Garden Blooms 1, 2024’, commands attention with a price tag of RM11,000.

For Lau, the exhibition is particularly meaningful as she plans to donate a portion of the proceeds to three non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as means of giving back to the community.

Ting (third right), Lau (fourth right) and others posing for a photo after the launching of “Colourful Echoes” exhibition at Hoan Gallery, La Promenade Mall on May 18, 2024.

“My connection is intertwined with my surroundings. This (doing art) has allowed me to see the beauty in everything, capturing these moments as it is deeply embedded in my life,” said Lau.

Born in Sibu in 1954, Lau reignited her passion for art in 2009 by drawing inspiration from her early school artworks.

Her artistic development was significantly influenced by her mentors, Sim Chiap Hin and David Chew, before she embarked on her own creative exploration.

Also present at the “Colourful Echoes” solo exhibition was Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Datuk Sebastian Ting. — DayakDaily