Kean Onn See
Kean Onn See is an artist dedicated to the time-consuming practice of painting on carved woodblocks. Heavily inspired by Australian artist, Cressida Campbell and Japanese woodblock prints his work exhibits meticulous attention to detail and uplifting compositions of domestic scenes.
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 and Campbell.
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. In 2023, he earned finalist recognition in the Sulman Prize, the Mosman Art Prize, the KAAF Art Prize, and the National Emerging Artist Prizes.
Primarily self-taught, Kean Onn started painting as a hobby in his early 30s and pursued this interest while working full-time.
Kean Onn See was born in Malaysia and now lives and works in Sydney, the land of the Gadigal.
Events + Fairs
2024 Singapore Affordable Art Fair
2024 Sydney Affordable Art Fair
2025 Singapore Affordable Art Fair
Commissions
We are currently accepting commission enquiries for Kean Onn. Please contact us for a helpful PDF guide.
Discover More
SOLO EXHIBITION
Kean Onn See
Refuge
7 New Paintings & Selected Past Paintings
16 - 29 July 2026
Following the exceptional response the artist's interiors series, which sold out across both 2024 and 2025. Kean Onn returns with renewed focus, turning his attention to Sydney.
In this new body of work, he explores the city’s layered interior worlds: glimpses of the iconic architectural forms, and intimate domestic spaces - each rendered with his characteristic attention to detail, thoughtful composition and imbued warmth.
Shop Refuge
Kean Onn See The Lantern Room
Kean Onn See The Waratah Rooom
Kean Onn See Room With a View
Kean Onn See Balcony Garden
Kean Onn See Sun Room
Kean Onn See Atelier & Friends
Kean Onn See The Waratah Rooom
Kean Onn See Moon Orchid (Phalaenopsis amabilis)
Kean Onn See Vanda Miss Joaquim (Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim)
Kean Onn See Penang Slipper Orchid (Paphiopedilum barbatum) 2025
Kean Onn See Cymbidiums at Kirribilli Wharf
Kean Onn See Rock Orchids Meets Bennelong
Kean Onn See Dance of the Warriors (Predator Orchid and Utagawa Kuniyoshi)
Kean Onn See Lady Meets the Slipper (Slipper Orchid and Torii Kotondo)
Kean Onn See Bathing on the Rocks (Rock Orchid and Shiro Kasamatsu)
Kean Onn See Monkeys and Kabuki (Monkey
Kean Onn See Gazing at the Butterfly (Butterfly Orchid and Shinsui Itō)
Kean Onn See Sky Well
Kean Onn See Crimson Screen
Kean Onn See Nouveau Window
Kean Onn See Thonet & Friends
Kean Onn See King Uno's Yellow Sofa
Kean Onn See Lounging with Le Corbusier
Kean Onn See Chair from the Salvos
Kean Onn See Reminiscence
Kean Onn See Noren and the Winter Light
Kean Onn See Atelier & Friends
Kean Onn See Sun Room
Kean Onn See Balcony Garden
Kean Onn See Room With a View
Kean Onn See The Waratah Rooom
Kean Onn See The Lantern Room
Kean Onn See Penang Slipper Orchid (Paphiopedilum barbatum) 2025
Kean Onn See Vanda Miss Joaquim (Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim)
Kean Onn See Rock Orchids Meets Bennelong
Kean Onn See Cymbidiums at Kirribilli Wharf
Kean Onn See Dance of the Warriors (Predator Orchid and Utagawa Kuniyoshi)
Kean Onn See Lady Meets the Slipper (Slipper Orchid and Torii Kotondo)
Kean Onn See Bathing on the Rocks (Rock Orchid and Shiro Kasamatsu)
Kean Onn See Monkeys and Kabuki (Monkey
Kean Onn See Gazing at the Butterfly (Butterfly Orchid and Shinsui Itō)
Kean Onn See Sky Well
Kean Onn See Crimson Screen
Kean Onn See Nouveau Window
Kean Onn See Thonet & Friends
Kean Onn See King Uno's Yellow Sofa
Kean Onn See Lounging with Le Corbusier
Kean Onn See Chair from the Salvos
Kean Onn See Reminiscence
Kean Onn See Noren and the Winter Light
Kean Onn See Moon Orchid (Phalaenopsis amabilis)
Refuge
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ARTIST
Kean Onn See
Location
138 Macquarie Road
Springwood NSW 2777
Dates
16-29 July 2026
Opening 18 July 2026, 2- 4pm
Opening this July, we are pleased to present the inaugural exhibition in our new gallery space, and Kean Onn See’s first solo presentation in four years.
Following the exceptional response to his interiors series, which sold out across both 2024 and 2025. Kean Onn returns with renewed focus, turning his attention to Sydney.
In this new body of work, he explores the city’s layered interior worlds: glimpses of the harbour, iconic architectural forms, and intimate domestic spaces, each rendered with his characteristic attention to detail, thoughtful composition and imbued warmth.
Together, these works trace a more expansive reading of place - where private and public space gently intersect, and familiar cityscapes are reimagined through moments of quiet observation.
Contact Sarah with all enquiries: info@sarahbirtles.com.au
or 043 044 9050.