There is an amazing serenity when viewing the exquisite oil on canvas works by Szeto Lap; some seem to bring with them a gentle breeze with hints of sweet scent from the fruits of spring, while others bring beams of glowing sunlight not unlike the sense of a languid afternoon, and yet others simply bring a sense of tranquil quietness…

Born in Guangzhou, China in 1949, Szeto Lap had his first solo-exhibition in 1979 in Paris, France after he moved there in 1975. Since then he has been exhibiting extensively worldwide including Great Britain, Italy and France, as well as in Hong Kong, China and Taiwan. In 1981, he was awarded the Prix Lubiam in Italy and in 1982 he received the Feneon Prize from the Paris Academy in France. Lap was also the Grand Prize winner in Painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in France in 2000. In 2004, the President of the French Republic bestowed upon Lap the Chevalier dans l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts & Literature grade of the Knight) acknowledging his artistic and cultural contributions to France. Recognition came from prestigious Asian art institutions as well, he was conferred the Educational Achievement Prize by the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, China in 2002.

Over the past two decades, several academic works by Szeto Lap has also been published such as “Oil Painting: formal Qualities and Admiration”, “Fundamental Methods of Figurative Expressionist Painting” and “The Topic of Constitution”, among others. A multi-talented scholar artist, Lap has been invited to lecture as Guest Professor in various universities in China over the years, such as Xian Academy of Fine Arts and China Academy of Art. His works are also collected by numerous museums in Europe including the Musée National d'Art Moderne, Musée Lubiam, Musée Ville Boulogne, to name a few.

Szeto Lap’s impressive artistic credentials are evident in the works he creates; be it depictions of landscapes, a corner of a room or just pots and vases of plants, such as Orchidees and Camelia, his central idea is unpretentious and philosophical. They convey that very pure essence of calm that seems to ease away all strains of confusion and stress that comes with today’s incessant urban bustle. There is a meditative quality about his art, transporting viewers to a world of peace and tranquility where they can further contemplate upon the serene nature of the art of Szeto Lap.