Eastern Reflections – Culture & Contemplation
Artworks that meditate on spiritual symbolism, architectural elegance, and cultural depth
This collection invites viewers into spaces of reverence and reflection. The Libyan Souq-al-Turk pulses with market life, while The Sultan’s Palace in Kuala Lumpur stands as a beacon of regal architecture. Chen Yifei’s Woman with Pipa captures musical grace and Taiwanese tradition, and Jim Francis’s Tibetan Buddha Goddess bridges Eastern spirituality with Western technique. These pieces speak to the quiet power of cultural continuity and spiritual presence.
Souq-al-Turk by unknown artist
Acquired in Libya during an audit at Eni Gas, this evocative oil painting offers a glimpse into the timeless rhythm of North African urban life. The scene unfolds in the heart of Tripoli’s old city, where whitewashed buildings reflect the Mediterranean sun and narrow alleys hum with quiet commerce. At the center stands a Berber man, his robes catching the light, his posture dignified yet solitary. He is both participant and observer—an emblem of tradition amid the shifting tides of modernity. The souq itself is rendered with loose, expressive brushwork: arched doorways, faded signage, and the suggestion of movement just beyond the frame.
The Sultan's Palace, Kuala Lumpur by unknown artist
Painted for mum and dad during their visit to Malaysia, this artwork of the Sultan’s Palace in Kuala Lumpur is more than a depiction—it’s a gift of memory, passed from one generation to another. The palace, formally known as Istana Negara, serves as the official residence of Malaysia’s Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) and stands as a symbol of national unity and sovereignty
Woman with Pipa by Chen Yifei
Acquired during a visit to Taiwan, this painting by Chen Yifei stands as a visual poem of the East—a masterful blend of Romantic Realism and traditional Chinese symbolism. The woman, poised with her pipa (a four-stringed lute), is rendered with haunting elegance. Her gaze is distant, her posture serene, as if caught in the quiet tension between performance and introspection. Chen Yifei, one of China’s most celebrated contemporary painters, was known for his ability to fuse Western oil techniques with Eastern subject matter. His women—often dressed in flowing silk or seated in contemplative silence—embody a kind of melancholic grace, echoing themes of longing, memory, and cultural continuity.
Tibetan Buddha Goddess by Jim Francis
Positioned in my front hallway, this painting becomes more than décor—it’s a guardian of calm, a visual mantra that welcomes guests into a space of reflection and grace. The figure of the Buddha Goddess, rendered by Jim Francis, radiates a serene stillness that feels both sacred and accessible. Her gaze, posture, and aura suggest not just divinity, but compassion and safety, when you enter my house.
