Doreen Chew - Surrealist Oil Paintings |  Doreen Chew's Art & Vision

Born in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia, in 1984, and now based in Kuala Lumpur, Doreen is a surrealist painter whose work is an exploration of juxtaposition, emotion, and the subconscious. Working primarily with oil on canvas, she creates dreamlike characters and scenes that invite viewers into a mysterious, introspective world. Her art is deeply inspired by memories, things from the past, and the fluid boundary between reality and imagination.

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A central feature of her work is the focus on the eyes—an emotional anchor that invites the audience to look beyond the surface and connect with the inner world of her subjects. Through this gaze, viewers are encouraged to interpret their own stories, forming a personal connection with the artwork.

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Doreen’s use of surrealism is playful yet introspective, allowing her to explore the evolving nature of identity, merging past and present. Her compositions are rich with symbolic contrasts, where familiar elements from her cultural heritage are woven into surreal environments. The result is a visually engaging narrative that speaks to both personal and universal themes.

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As her practice continues to evolve, Doreen is driven by a desire to engage viewers on deeper emotional levels, using the eyes of her subjects as windows into unexplored narratives. With each piece, she seeks to expand the dialogue between artist and audience, offering a fresh perspective on the surreal and the real.

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