Biography
Karwai Chan is a self-taught artist based in Malaysia. She paints to capture the essence of life’s most challenging and successful moments and the intense emotions linked with them. Her art is being commissioned by large, publicly listed companies around the world.
Her unique artworks have caught the interest of art collectors and limited-edition supercars. Today her art is exhibited in both art galleries and supercar showrooms. Her clients range from entrepreneurs, celebrities and politicians to Formula 1 institutions like McLaren, Lamborghini, Aston Martin and racecars.
I believe that painting is a unique form of art that paves the way for all the artists to express their hidden desires, feelings and expressions. I started painting at a very young age. I have always been fond of colours and have always felt a strong urge to experiment with them. Painting, to me, is an art in its highest form of continuous refinement. One needs patience, perseverance as well as a meticulous nature. I always felt that art is not just merely a craftwork, but it embodies the mind and soul of an artist. I believe that colours are capable of adding life to any image which words alone cannot describe.
Finding Solace and Inspiration in Painting
Achieving recognition from established voices in the art world has given Karwai the confidence to express her innermost feelings and ideas in her art.
The first time her artworks went for extravagant bids on an auction became her turning point for believing in her own talent. Since then, her career has allowed her to exhibit her artworks among prestigious luxury cars and raised five-digit figures for the Singapore Red Cross on her first charity auction in The Fullerton Hotel.
Charity work lies close to Karwai’s heart. Her own struggles with loss, depression and unprivileged upbringing drive her passion for helping others. Her goal is to continue raising money for charity by donating the proceeds of artworks to humanitarian causes.
With the recent COVID-19 Pandemic, Karwai painted five distinctive pieces featuring our local frontline heroes as a tribute to their sacrifice. These pieces have been sold for an estimate of One Million Malaysia Ringgit each and its profits were entirely donated to assist our nation in fighting the outbreak. This act was appraised highly by our Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Break Through & Charity Work
Achieving recognition from established voices in the art world has given Karwai the confidence to express her innermost feelings and ideas in her art.
The first time her artworks went for extravagant bids on auction, become her turning point for believing in her own talent. Since then, her career has allowed her to exhibit her artworks among prestigious luxury cars. And raise five digit figures for the Singapore Red Cross on her first charity auction in the The Fullerton Hotel.
Charity work lays close to Karwai’s heart. Her goal is to continue raising money to charity by donating the proceeds of art works to humanitarian causes. Her own struggles with loss, depression and unprivileged upbringing drives her passion for helping others.
With the recent COVID-19 Pandemic, Karwai painted five distinctive pieces featuring our local frontline heroes as a tribute to their sacrifice. In which these pieces have been sold for an estimate of One Million Malaysia Ringgit each and its profits entirely donated to assist our nation in fighting the outbreak. This act was appraised highly by our Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
I paint motifs that inspire people to overcome challenges. My works should awaken warm feelings every time you look at them. I capture race car drivers who, against all odds, have reached the top of their sport. They are an inspiration to all of us that we can achieve our dreams.
Realism & Colour: Crafting a Unique Expression
Having taught herself how to paint and build compositions, Karwai is not limited to the conventional motifs that many schooled artists paint. Instead, she portrays supercars, Formula 1 drivers, celebrities and pop culture icons with the same enthusiasm and detail as wild animals, volcanic eruptions and portraits. More important than the motif is what the audience feels when looking at the painting. Her artistic choices are not restricted to traditions but speak directly to her selective clientele. To them, the oil paintings add soul to supercar showrooms and exclusive interiors.
Great opportunities don’t come every day. I aspire to reach greater heights and carve my own path of success through my painting exhibitions. I do not long for attention and rather intend to capture the hearts and minds of the patient observer who view my paintings as a unique, enriching and heartwarming experience.
Karwai’s exhibitions present an eclectic collection of motifs serving as a reminder to the audience of the opportunities life offers in the midst of adversity. They especially remind other young artists never to give up on their art. The exclusivity of her works has made them popular investment pieces. Several Karwai paintings have increased in value since they were first sold. The exclusivity of her works has made them popular investment pieces. Unlike any other investment, artworks will bring joy, inspiration and energy when you look at them.
“Art enriches people’s lives in so many ways. That is what makes it
eternal.” — Karwai Chan