Khaw Sia migrated to Penang 1937. His 1st solo in Penang, 1955, was of Balinese maidens and landscapes. An accomplished painter of portraits and landscapes, he specialised in painting orchids from the mid-1960’s especially with his depiction of dew drops on the petals. He had solos especial-ly dedicated to orchids in 1966, 1976 and 1977. He was also known for his cultivation of orchids although there was no record if he had developed any new genus.