Hornbilll Series

The Rhinoceros hornbill is an endangered species that is disappearing along with its natural habitat: the rainforest jungles of Borneo. Liew created this series with inspiration from the mythology of the native peoples of Borneo who believe that the hornbill is a messenger to the remote high god and symbolizes wealth, health and prosperity. For Liew, the hornbill symbolizes not only a connection to her Malaysian roots but also her faith in God, and the freedom to express herself through art.

The hornbill paintings have evolved throughout the series. The initial works portray the birds as idealized, elegant creatures. However, in later works the artist has given more variety to her hornbills; some are slender, some are plump and others have shorter beaks or even comical faces. This added diversity is a reflection of the diversity of the human experience. As the series continued to evolve, these themes are expressed on a grander scale, often extending beyond the realm of a single panel to envelop the senses in movement and color.

Inspired by ancient cave paintings, the monochromatic hornbill paintings are more primitive in form and utilize a simpler palette than their colorful counterparts in the Hornbill series. Because color plays a lesser role in these paintings, tonal value, texture, line and rhythm become the dominant elements. These works are rich in symbolism, for example the nautilus motif is used to express the artist’s quest for perfection in design and in life. Texture is added to the canvas with modeling paste to replicate a rough cave wall. Next, dilute acrylic paints are added to create subtle tonal values. Finally, charcoal and conte chalks are applied, adding additional patterns, shapes and bringing forth the textured canvas.

Discovery of Renewal

Acrylic on canvas
60" x 80"

Hornbill #53

60" x 60"
Oil & Acrylic on canvas

Hornbill # 51

48" x 48"
Oil on canvas

Private Collection:
Evelyn Amster , California , USA

Hornbill # 30

41" x 39"
Oil on canvas

Private Collection:
Susan & Dean Shoemaker , California , USA

Hornbill Monochromatic # 1

40" x 30 ", 3 piece Set 40" x 90"
Charcoal & Acrylic on Canvas

Hornbill Monochromatic # 2

24" x 24", 4 piece Set 48" x 48"
Charcoal & Acrylic on Canvas

Hornbill Monochromatic # 4

30" x 48"
Charcoal & Acrylic on Canvas

Private Collection:
Brian & Marie Bacher, California , USA

Hornbill Monochromatic # 5

40" x 40"
Charcoal & Acrylic on Canvas

Private Collection:
Doug & Sue Craft , California , USA