Studio West
Height: 42cm Width: 60cm
Studio West
Height: 42cm Width: 60cm
Studio North
Height: 42cm Width: 60cm
Black Hole: Ruthless Preceptor of Space and Time
Height: cm Width: 120cm
Vale Joey
Height: 78.5cm Width: 103.5cm
Seedy Summit in Yellow
Height: 43cm Width: 33cm
Treasure Eggplant in Blue
Height: 43cm Width: 33cm
Longevity Bath in Red
Height: 43cm Width: 33cm
A Sunday Afternoon
Height: 44.5cm Width: 84cm
Cymbidium and Teacup
Height: 62cm Width: 44.5cm
Kyusu Teapot
Height: 43cm Width: 43cm
When Banksia Meets Shuki
Height: 43cm Width: 43cm
Shuki Empire
Height: 43cm Width: 43cm
Basmati Rice Spirit
Height: 33cm Width: 25cm
Budgie on My Table
Height: 43cm Width: 43cm
Soju Empire
Height: 43cm Width: 43cm
Oh Marimekko
Height: 43cm Width: 43cm
When Kyusu Teapot Meets Banksia
Height: 43cm Width: 43cm
Arnott's Biscuits Spirit
Height: 40cm Width: 40cm
Olio D'Oliva Spirit
Height: 25cm Width: 33cm
Weet-Bix Spirit I
Height: 25cm Width: 33cm
Weet-Bix Spirit II
Height: 33cm Width: 25cm
Dashino Moto Spirit
Height: 25cm Width: 33cm
Free Range Aussie Eggs Spirit
Height: 25cm Width: 33cm
Big Curry Noodle Spirit
Height: 25cm Width: 33cm
Shin Cup Noodle Spirit
Height: 25cm Width: 33cm
Vegemite Spirit
Height: 23cm Width: 23cm
Miso Organic Spirit
Height: 23cm Width: 23cm
Pizza Sauce Spirit
Height: 23cm Width: 23cm
Keen's Curry Spirit
Height: 23cm Width: 23cm
Keen's Mustard Spirit
Height: 23cm Width: 23cm
Rayu Chilli Oil Spirit
Height: 23cm Width: 23cm
Marmalade Spirit
Height: 23cm Width: 23cm
Smoked Mild Paprika Spirit
Height: 23cm Width: 23cm
Mild Paprika Spirit
Height: 23cm Width: 23cm
Smoked Hot Paprika Spirit
Height: 23cm Width: 23cm
Cymbidium Sinense
Height: 75cm Width: 135cm
Verdant
Height: 42cm Width: 142cm
Burnt Yard
Height: 91.5cm Width: 216cm
Shady Acres III
Height: 28cm Width: 43cm
Shady Acres III
Height: 28cm Width: 43cm
Stream
Height: 72cm Width: 133cm
Reed Chase
Height: 72cm Width: 197cm
Conjola
Height: 42cm Width: 142cm
Artist Statement
Kean Onn See’s paintings are drawn, carved, and then painted on woodblock. Every stage of this creative process requires a different set of skills, which must come together technically and creatively, to form the finished work.
Every work begins on paper. The image is then transferred to a woodblock. Using both traditional and modern engraving tools, the lines of the image are carefully carved to achieve the desired textures.
Finally, the carved woodblock is sanded, before it is lightly painted with at least four layers of acrylic. The goal is to create textures by layering the paints strategically, and at the same time, revealing the natural grain of the woodblock.
Primarily self-taught, Kean Onn See started painting as a hobby in his early 30s and pursued this interest while working full-time.
Over the years, he has experimented with different media and genres before finally adopting painting on carved woodblock as his preferred medium.
Inspired by the process of Japanese woodblock prints, and his love of carving and painting, he continues to explore new techniques and tools to further develop this meticulous way of making art.
Kean Onn See was born in Malaysia and now lives and works in Sydney.
Spirited Away
Spirited Away offers an escape to stillness by conjuring the spirit of everyday objects through compositions and mindfulness.
With a gentle, nurturing lens and a quiet state of mind, ordinary objects are collected and arranged by the artist to amplify their presence and take us away from the moment – spiriting us away.
Setting out to create something beautiful and playful in response to a series of events over the last few years, Spirited Away prompts us to acknowledge and cherish the love around us, to see the fun and brighter sides of life, and to be grateful, always, for our places of refuge.
Spirited Away is Kean Onn See’s second solo exhibition.
Exhibitions
2023 Finalist in the National Emerging Art Prize
2023 Finalist in the Mosman Art Prize
2023 Finalist in the Sir John Sulman Prize
2022 Spirited Away, Art2Muse Gallery, Woollahra, Sydney
2019 Making Tracks, Art2Muse Gallery, Double Bay, Sydney
2018 Finalist in the Mosman Art Prize, Sydney