@davidkoh

Malaysian-born painter David Koh creates figurative works examining identity, migration, and diaspora from his London studio practice. His paintings merge abstract expressionist techniques with representational portraiture, often reimagining classical mythology through a contemporary cultural lens. The artist cites Francis Bacon and Jenny Saville as key influences on his evolving visual vocabulary. Koh's professional path spans both studio practice and arts education, with his work appearing in exhibitions exploring themes of cultural displacement and belonging. His paintings layer personal narrative with broader investigations of how migration shapes identity formation and cultural understanding. The compositions frequently incorporate elements from Malaysian heritage alongside Western art historical references. The artist maintains an active teaching practice while developing new works that challenge traditional figure painting conventions. His current projects focus on reinterpreting mythological subjects through the perspective of contemporary diaspora experiences. Koh's ongoing body of work contributes to dialogues about representation and cultural hybridity in contemporary portraiture.