Painting on carved woodblock

Kean Onn see

landscape . still life . interior . portraiture

Kean Onn See creates paintings on carved woodblocks. He begins by developing the image on paper, which is then transferred onto plywood, carved, and finally painted.  

It is a labour-intensive practice and he loves it.

Heavily inspired by Japanese woodblock prints his work exhibits meticulous attention to detail and uplifting compositions across genres.

He is an artist who appreciates life’s minutiae - paint brushes and spray bottles, the form of a rice cooker and the fall afternoon light through the shutters, something he has adopted from the ethos of the Japanese artists he admires.

Primarily self-taught, Kean Onn started painting as a hobby in his early 30s and pursued this interest while working full-time.  

Steadily garnering significant recognition for his fine work, Kean Onn is consistently celebrated by critics and collectors alike.

In 2024, he was honored as a finalist in some of the country's most esteemed art competitions, including the Archibald Prize, the Blake Prize, the Mosman Art Prize, and the Fisher’s Ghost Art Award.

Partnered with Sarah Britles Art + Advicve , Kean Onn See was born in Malaysia and now lives and works in Sydney, the land of the Gadigal.