Now residing in Sydney, the work of oil painter Heidi Lai is heavily influenced by her upbringing in the bustling metropolis of Hong Kong. Drawing on her observations of human interactions and the environments around her, Lai’s paintings capture fleeting moments that distil the essence of life. With dramatic dark colours and bold brush strokes, Lai tends to obscure finer details behind a gentle haze, creating a sense of romance and nostalgia. Mundane sights and scenes such as grocery stands, medicine cabinets, restaurants and pets become imbued with heightened significance, encouraging viewers to focus on the present. Having only come to painting at the age of 28, Lai quickly found her stride and is now represented by Sketch Co. Gallery, Sydney. In March 2023, she presented her first solo exhibition, Sensory Memory, at Brunswick Street Gallery, Melbourne, and is now working towards a show at Newcastle’s Wester Gallery, slated for April 2024.
Above: Heidi Lai, The Weekend Grind, 2023. Oil on polycotton, 73 x 88cm. Courtesy: the artist.