Betty Lau

My art practice uses painting and drawing to explore the pictorial qualities of flowers and plants. The work is informed by my childhood memories of visiting Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, giving vivid impressions of the gardens with its range of beautiful flowers, animals, and fountain. Using my photographs from the gardens as primary research, the flowers are used as a source for drawings and paintings on canvas. Recently, I have extended my research to Kew Gardens, discovering the power of plants and fungi. Exploring the shapes and colours of different species, I have learned more about them through the process of drawing. The flower paintings are non-representational in form or colour, rather, reimagined from my unique perspective. My research has been informed by Henri Matisse’s ‘Cut-Outs’, with strong combinations of primary colours decorating interior walls and Gary Hume’s flower paintings, with the almost recognisable forms close to abstraction.

The paintings re-invent new flower motifs, using large-scale canvas, and small concertina books and postcards. The painted flowers are a response to nature, forming a dialogue between myself and them. The work aims to express pleasant moments to the audience whilst viewing the show.

My IG: bettylaumy