The landscapes, people, and rich culture of Bali have inspired artists. Balinese Maiden features a graceful woman in preparation for the local ceremonial rituals of the community. Seated on the floor with her hair adorned with flowers, the lady shows devotion through the making of offerings. Khaw Sia expressed these quiet moments with a meditative serenity. Khaw Sia is perhaps the best trained among the pioneers, with tutelage at Liu Haisu's Sin Hwa Art Academy in Shanghai (1925-1932) and informal private lessons under BritishScottish watercolourist Sir William Russel Flint (1880-1969) in London (1933). Khaw Sia settled in Penang in 1937 and briefly in Hong Kong. He held his first solo in Penang in 1955 and was given a posthumous Retrospective by the Penang State Art Gallery in 1998. His standard was impeccable, as his works were accepted by reputable exhibitions such as the Le Salon Paris in 1956, the Royal Institute Galleries Summer Salon in London in 1957, and the 25th National Society Exhibition in London in 1958.