From Law to Art

After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Law and Accounting from the University of Melbourne, I returned to Malaysia to practise law, beginning my career at Skrine before moving on to several other firms. I later served as in-house legal counsel for OCBC Bank in Kuala Lumpur. While the legal profession shaped my discipline and analytical thinking, art had always been my lifelong passion. Eventually, I embraced the opportunity to pivot fully into creative practice.

Today, I am a full-time artist and certified art therapist, creating, exhibiting, and collecting works both locally and internationally. Nature remains my primary source of inspiration. As an avid hiker, diver, and traveller, I am deeply immersed in the natural world, where I continually uncover insights into life, impermanence, and renewal. My creative process is further informed by meditation and yoga, allowing me to access the subconscious and translate inner experiences into visual form. This integration of mindfulness and artistic expression imbues my work with authenticity and emotional depth.

I have participated in numerous group exhibitions in Kuala Lumpur since 2014. In 2021 and 2023, I held solo exhibitions with Gallery 1819 in Singapore, presenting my paddy field series and coral series respectively. In 2024, I participated in two group exhibitions in the United States, in South Carolina and New York. I have sold over 150 paintings to collectors, buyers, and institutions and my works are held in notable collections, including those of Dr. Steve Wong and Perodua.

Alongside my studio practice, I am deeply engaged in art wellness and therapy. Having experienced firsthand the healing power of art, I believe in its ability to give form to emotions and thoughts that often lie beyond words—expressions of the soul. In 2021, I obtained a certification in Guided Drawing from the Institute for Sensorimotor Art Therapy in Australia. I conduct art wellness sessions for corporate employees, focusing on mental health and emotional well-being. In 2024, I became a certified HRD Corp trainer, enabling me to deliver structured stress management and mental health programs. To date, I have facilitated Guided Drawing sessions for over 300 participants, with corporate clients including Coca-Cola, AIA, Sunway University, and Taylor’s University.

When not in the studio or facilitating wellness programs, I enjoy spending time with my two children and my dog, Chewie. My interests include travelling, hiking, reading, energy healing, yoga, fitness training, scuba diving, and exploring the deeper meaning of life.

Lisa Teo