Born in Singapore in 1968, Mr Lau developed a passion for drawing and painting from an early age. Diagnosed with Tourette syndrome at the age of seven, he faced many challenges throughout his childhood and school years. Despite these difficulties, his exceptional artistic talent was recognised by his teachers, who encouraged him to pursue a career in art. Their support led him to study painting at LASALLE College of the Arts, where he earned a Diploma in Fine Arts in 1991, before completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Tasmania in Australia in 1995.

Throughout his artistic journey, Mr Lau has explored both realist and abstract painting, creating works that express emotion through dynamic compositions, rich textures, and vibrant colours. He often paints Singapore's historic shophouses, city streets, everyday people, and architectural spaces, transforming familiar scenes into expressive works that capture both physical surroundings and emotional atmosphere. His paintings reveal a deep appreciation for Singapore's urban heritage while reflecting his personal experiences and observations.

EXHIBITIONS

2008              

  • “Raymond Lau Charity Arts Exhibition”, organised by Tzu Chi Foundation (non-profit organization) to help the victims of China Sichuan Earthquake and Myanmar Cyclone disasters, at Telok Kurau Arts Gallery, Singapore

  • “Painterly Dissertation on Tan Swie Hian” - 8th Solo Arts Exhibition organised by Tan Swie Hian Museumand Candid Creation Publishing LLP, at Tan Swie Hian Museum, Singapore


2006                

  • Wall, the World” - 7th Solo Exhibition organised by Liu Hai Su Arts Museum, at  Liu Hai Su Arts Museum, Shanghai, China“Th


2003               

  •  “Mural...musing on my wall” - 6th Solo Arts Exhibition organised by Alliance Francaise de Singapour,  at Alliance Francaise de Singapur Gallery, Singapore


2002               

  • Motherland” - organised by Utterly Arts Exhibition Space, at Utterly Arts, Singapore“M


2000

  • “Canvas to Canvas”, by Raymond Lau Poo Seng - organized by Substation, at The Substation Arts Gallery, Singapore


1998               

  • “Journey to the West”, by Raymond Lau Poo Seng - organized by The National Arts Club, at The Gregg and Marquis Galleries, New York, USA 


1997

  • Reality: Seen and Imagined - Pictures by Raymond Lau Poo Seng, at The Substation Gallery, Singapore Re


1994               

  • Raymond Lau - The Experience since September 22, 1993 … , at Empress Place Museum, Singapore


GROUP EXHIBITIONS 

2012

  • “Identity – A Journey Of Self Discovery” – Very Special Arts Annual Exhibition at Changi City Point Shopping Centre (Atrium, Basement 1)


2011

  • “Art is a lie” – Telok Kurau Studios 14th Annual Exhibition, at Telok Kurau Arts Gallery, Singapore

  • “Yesterday Once More” –Very Special Arts Annual Arts Exhibition at RafflesCity Shopping Centre,  Level 3, City Square, Singapore

  • “Beyond A Prize” - United Oversea Bank 30 years of the Painting Of The Year Arts Competition,  at ION Arts Gallery, Orchard, Singapore


2010             

  • “Forgetting the Roses” – Telok Kurau Studios Annual Arts Exhibition, at Telok Kurau Arts Gallery, Singapore

  • “Singapore Arts Preview”, organized by Singapore Arts Show and specially invited by Very Specially Arts Singapore Orchard,  Artist’s, at ION Arts Gallery,


2009               

  • “Modern Hermit” - Telok Kurau Studios Annual Arts Exhibition, at Telok Kurau Arts Gallery, Singapore


2008                

  • Very Special Arts Artist’s Exhibition at Orchard Forum Gallery, Singapore

  • “Welcome To My World”-Very Special Arts Annual Arts Exhibition at Raffles City Shopping Centre, Level 3,  and City Square, Singapore

  • A Decade Commemorating (1997~2007) – Telok Kurau Studios Annual Arts Exhibition, at Telok Kurau Arts  Gallery, Singapore


2007               

  • Very Special Arts - Sale of Painting at Orchard Forum Gallery, Singapore    

  • “The Best of UOB, the 26 winning works from the UOB painting of the year Arts competition”,  organized by United Overseas Bank, at Singapore Arts Museum, Singapore

  • “Singapore Arts Show 2007”, invited by National Arts Council, Singapore Arts Museum & National Heritage  Board, at Singapore Arts Museum, Singapore


2006               

  • “Stepping Out” – Very Special Arts Annual Exhibition at Raffles City Shopping Centre/ Level 1, and City Square, Singapore


2005             

  • Singapore Arts Society Exhibition ’05 at Ngee Ann Culture Centre, Singapore  The Five Elements/ The Elements of Arts – Very Special Arts Annual Exhibition at Raffles City Shopping Centre/ Level 1, and City Square, Singapore


2004

  • Singapore Arts Society 55th Annual Exhibition at Ngee Ann Culture Centre, Singapore Charity Auction for Counselor II Project to Honor The Late Brother Joseph McNally, at Singapore Arts Museum, Singapore

  • “Bring Arts Together”, organized by Path Fiesta at Istana Park, Singapore


2002

  • Telok Kurau Annual Arts Shown at Telok Kurau Arts Gallery, Singapore


2001

  • Diversity, organized by Singapore Arts Society Exhibition, at MITA Building Courtyard, Singapore

  • Singapore Arts, organized by Sunjin Arts Galleries at Marina Mandarin Hotel, Singapore

  • The Spirit Within - Telok Kurau Studios Annual Arts Exhibition, at Telok Kurau Gallery, Singapore

  • Mini Painting Arts Exhibition, organized by Singapore Arts Society, at Singapore General Hospital, Singapore

  • Mini Painting Arts Exhibition, organized by Singapore Arts Society, at Orchard Point Gallery, Singapore


2000              

  • Invitation from Prime Minister of Singapore Mr. Goh Chok Tong, exhibiting my paintings in his office at The Istana, Singapore

  • 'IN SYNC', organized by Blue Lotus Fine Arts, at Orchard Point Exhibition Hall, Singapore

  • Telok Kurau Studios Arts 2000 Exhibition, at Telok Kurau Arts Gallery, Singapore


1999              

  • Singapore Arts Society 30th Anniversary, at Orchard Paragon Arts Gallery, Singapore  International Symposium: City/Community - Nokia Singapore Arts 1999, at Singapore Arts Museum


1998

  • President’s Charity Arts Exhibition, at Tourism Court, Singapore Mini Painting Arts Exhibition organized by Singapore Arts Society, at Orchard Point Gallery, Singapore

  • Open House cum Arts Exhibition, at Tourism Court, Singapore


1997

  • Very Special Arts Annual Exhibition, at Raffles City, Singapore  'Arts Power' Exhibition, at CHIJMES, Singapore  Arts Expo'97, at World Trade Centre, Singapore


1996

  • The Singapore Arts Society – Art 96’, at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, NAFA Gallery, Singapore 

  • ‘Crossing Cultures’ – Arts, at Scotts Lounge, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Singapore


1995

  • 'Singapore Arts Fair 95', at Singapore International Convention Centre, Suntec City, Singapore

  • The UOB 13th Painting of the Year Arts Competition, at United Overseas Bank Plaza 1, Singapore

  • 'University Fine Arts Graduation Show', at University of Tasmania Arts Gallery, Australia

  • 'From Another Place', at Drawing Exhibition University of Tasmania Arts Gallery, Australia

  • 'In Difference', at Paintings Exhibition, University of Tasmania Gallery, Australia

  • 'Royal Launceston Show', at the Trust Bank Pavilion, Launceston, Australia


1994

  • NUS Student Union Arts Exhibition, at National University, Singapore


1993

  • The UOB 12th Painting of the Year Competition, at LaSalle College of the Arts, Cultural Hall, Singapore

  • 'Singapore Artist’s Directory', at Empress Place Museum, Singapore

  • Cap II - "Happening '93", at Shenn's Fine Arts Gallery, Singapore


1993             

  • Philippe Charriol Foundation Contemporary Arts Competition, at Oriental Hotel, Paragon  Shopping Centre, Parkway Parade, OUB Centre and Centrepoint, Singapore (1992 - 1993)


1992

  • 'Singapore Arts Fair '92', at IMM Exhibition Centre, Singapore

  • The UOB 11th Painting of the Year Arts Competition, at Museum Arts Gallery, Singapore

  • 'Figurative 92', at Shenn's Fine Arts Gallery, Singapore

  • 'The Space' - Festival of Arts Fringe Event at Hong Bee Warehouse, Singapore

  • 'Arts and Material 92', at Museum Arts Gallery, Singapore


1991

  • 'Impression' LaSalle's Diploma Show, at Empress Place Museum, Singapore

  • The UOB 10th Painting of the Year Arts Competition, at Museum Arts Gallery, Singapore

  • NTU Student Union Arts Exhibition, at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore


1990

  • Arts and Antiques Exhibition, at World Trade Centre, Singapore

AWARDS

  • The Young Artist Award - conferred by The National Arts Council, Singapore (2001)

  • The UOB Painting of the Year Award  - The United Overseas Bank 12th Painting of the Year Competition, Singapore (1993)

  • Highly Commended Award -  The United Overseas Bank 12th Painting of the Year Competition - Singapore (1993)

  • Certificate of Distinction  Philippe Charriol Foundation Contemporary Art Competition, Singapore (1993)

  • Highly Commended Award  - The United Overseas Bank 11th Painting of the Year Competition, Singapore (1992)

  • Highly Commended Award  -  The United Overseas Bank 10th Painting of the Year Competition, Singapore (1991)

  • Appreciation Plate Awarded Mountbatten RC Zone '5', Singapore (1987)

ABOUT ARTIST

Raymond Lau Poo Seng

Raymond Lau Poo Seng (刘富生, born 1968) is a distinguished Singaporean contemporary artist whose artistic journey is a remarkable story of perseverance, resilience, and creative achievement. Best known for his expressive paintings of cityscapes, figures, and abstract compositions, Mr Lau uses bold colours, energetic brushstrokes, and textured surfaces to explore themes of human experience, memory, and urban life.

Mr Lau's artistic achievements have earned widespread recognition. In 1993, he won the prestigious UOB Painting of the Year Award for his painting Echoes of the Window (I), establishing himself as one of Singapore's leading contemporary artists. In 2001, he received the Young Artist Award from Singapore's National Arts Council, one of the country's highest honours for young artists. His works have since been exhibited extensively in Singapore, the United States, China, and other countries, and are included in numerous public and private collections.

Beyond his own artistic practice, Mr Lau has contributed actively to the community through art education and volunteer work. He has conducted painting workshops, mentored artists with disabilities, and participated in community mural projects. His commitment to sharing his knowledge reflects his belief that art has the power to inspire confidence, foster creativity, and bring people together.

Today, Mr Lau is recognised as one of Singapore's respected contemporary artists. His inspiring journey demonstrates how determination and artistic passion can overcome adversity. Through his expressive paintings and dedication to the arts, Mr Lau continues to make significant contributions to Singapore's cultural landscape while inspiring audiences and young artists alike.