Kwan Kiu Cheong Enter a
feeling, not
a gallery.
Choose a mood and the room itself answers — the light cools or warms, the air changes pace, and only the works that carry that feeling step forward from the dark. Everything else recedes into shadow.
Kwan Kiu Cheong
Kwan Kiu Cheong (Lam Qua): A Pioneer of Western Portraiture in China Kwan Kiu Cheong, more commonly known as Lam Qua, was a remarkable Chinese painter who flourished during the Qing Dynasty (1801-1860). Originating from the Canton province, he distinguished himself through his exceptional ability to create portraits in a Western style, catering primarily to foreign clientele residing in China. His groundbreaking achievement of being th
e first Chinese artist exhibited in the West solidified his place in art history and significantly impacted the development of medical portraiture. Early Life, Training & Influences Born in 1801 in Canton province, Kwan Kiu Cheong’s early life remains somewhat shrouded in mystery. While definitive proof is lacking, it's widely believed he studied under George Chinnery, a British painter who was among the first Western artists to esta…