It is said that Khaw Sia captured orchids in his paintings like no other. An avid orchid lover, Khaw Sia would travel to Taiwan, Japan and Thailand to take part in orchid exhibitions and symposiums. He even held solo exhibitions in watercolours dedicated just to orchids. Despite Khaw Sia being one of the most versatile among the pioneer artists, it is for the orchids that he is dubbed the Orchid King of Malaysian Art. The precious dew drops on the petals and leaves enhance the composition, accompanied by a lovely butterfly and three golden bees. Trained at the Sin Hwa Art Academy in Shanghai in 1925-1932, Khaw Sia came under the informal coaching of Sir Russel Flint in London in 1933. He was given a posthumous retrospective by the Penang State Art Gallery in 1998. As indication of his expertise and stature, his works were accepted by the Le Salon Paris in 1956, Summer Salon at the Royal Institute Galleries in London in 1957, and National Society Exhibition in London in 1958.