Rich colours interweaved with contrasting dark tones convey Laitong’s interest in nature. The artist translates his experiences and memories of the poetic landscape by applying brushstrokes and textures to highlight the distinctive contours of the mountainous terrain. Immersed with golden light, the work carries a vast sense of space, portraying the scenery enveloped by mist and clouds. Cheong Laitong is regarded as one of the precocious stars of the Wednesday Art Group formed in 1952 by Peter Harris. But he prevailed with his bold gestural vigour more from the latter half of the 1960s, after stints as USIS Exchange scholar at the Skowhegan School of Art in Maine in the United States (1960), and the LCC Central Art School in London (1961). But his commitment lessened after working at Rothmans Malaysia first as creative director (1963-1992) and then regional creative director of its Asia-Pacific region (1992-1995). He started making a brief comeback in a 1981 solo at Universiti Malaya. It was another decade before he became active again – GaleriWan (1991 and 1995), and NN Gallery (1998). Early success was when he won 1st Prize in oil and acrylic in the Salon Malaysia in 1969 and 1979. In 1962, he won a major award in the Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank mural competition in 1962. He was included in major Malaysian exhibitions abroad including the Commonwealth Art Today in London (1962-1963); Malaysian Art touring Europe (1965-1966); 1st Triennial of Contemporary World Art, New Delhi (1968); the Sao Paulo Biennale (1969); and Man And His World in Montreal, Canada (1970). He is best known for his iconic mosaic glass murals at Muzium Negara (1961).