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Liu Kang painted the portrait of this Sarawakian woman while she was on holiday in Singapore. Her clear countenance exudes a calm demeanour as shown by Liu Kang’s use of subdued tones and pearly grey veneer, both in her blouse and the backdrop. There is a fixed look in her eyes gazing slightly to the right, while she makes an attempt at smiling.

Liu Kang, one of the Singapore’s pioneer artists and a seminal figure of the Nanyang style, had done numerous portraits and figures, among other subjects, and in various styles. Most of his portrait studies in pastels were developed during the War years, when oil paint was scarce. His approach seemed always to centre on serenity and mood, with a somewhat lyrical quality.