Valerie took up painting seriously in 2002 after attending the Alternative Foundation in Fine Art at The Slade Summer School, The Slade School of Fine Art, University College of London, UK.
Working mainly in oil on canvas or acrylic on paper, with paintings in an abstract expressionist style. They are created as a result of her explorations in colour, light, depth, form and texture. She strives for a quiet balance with a sense of mood and movement on the surface, through a unique transfer of energy in the action of painting.
Inspired by the natural elements, hues, shapes and effects of the environment the works invite you to wander along to experience the sensation of colour and abstract journeys. Having a keen interest in digital processes and paper, her artworks include artists’ books, papier-mache objects, collage and mixed media.
Her paintings have been exhibited at the Singapore Art Museum as well as the National Art Gallery, Malaysia. She has had solo exhibitions at the UOB Art Gallery, Substation, Maya and Mulan Gallery, as well as group exhibitions at instinc, One East Asia and Jendela Gallery at the Esplanade. In addition, her works have been auctioned by Larasati Auctioneers in Singapore.
In 2018, she won the Bronze in the United Overseas Bank (UOB) Painting of the Year Competition (Singapore). Previously, she was awarded First Prize in the Abstract category in 2004 as well as Highly-Commended awards in 2006. Her paintings have been shortlisted for the Sovereign Asian Art Prize in 2019 and 2021 in Hong Kong. She has also received a Distinction in the Malaysian Art Competition (2007) and been selected for the Young Contemporaries 2006 in Malaysia.
A Malaysian based in Singapore, she has done artist residencies in Portugal, Italy, Vermont USA, Iceland and Finland. Her paintings can be found in corporate and private collections both locally and overseas.