A Journey from Healing to Creating
Dr Lowly (Low Lee Yong), is a Singapore born artist whose path to abstract expressionism took a unique and unconventional route. Initially trained as a medical doctor, he spent a decade in clinical practice before transitioning into entrepreneurship, where he built a thriving healthtech business over 25 years. However, his early love for art never faded. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 reignited his creative passion, leading him to fully embrace abstract painting as his new calling.
Now an autodidactic artist, Dr Lowly has developed a distinctive style centered around his signature “squeeze and splatter” technique. Using acrylic paints, he applies dynamic bursts of color onto the canvas, creating compositions that are both spontaneous and deeply resonant. His work draws inspiration from nature’s infinite beauty, from the fiery brilliance of sunsets to the tranquil poetry of winter landscapes. Travel has also left an indelible mark on his artistic vision, with experiences from manicured gardens to untamed wilderness shaping the themes of his paintings.
Through his art, Dr Lowly seeks to evoke joy, optimism, and contemplation. He explores the ephemeral nature of existence while celebrating boundless possibilities. His years as a doctor and entrepreneur instilled in him a relentless pursuit of excellence, a quality now reflected in his artistic practice. By fusing technical discipline with unrestrained creativity, he creates paintings that resonate on an emotional and philosophical level, inviting viewers to reflect on life’s fleeting yet profound moments.
Dr Lowly: A Childhood Dream Reclaimed
Dr Lowly’s artistic journey began in childhood when he first discovered his passion for drawing and painting. At around eight years old, he won an art competition at school, a moment that fueled his creative spirit. However, growing up in a financially struggling village, he set his sights on a more stable and secure profession. Determined to break free from poverty, he pursued a career in medicine, eventually graduating from medical school and practicing as a doctor for a decade. Yet, his fascination with technology led him down a different path—one that would shape the next 25 years of his life.
Leaving his medical career behind, Dr Lowly ventured into the healthtech industry, where he taught himself business strategies and innovative solutions. He successfully built a network of over 2,000 clinics in Singapore, establishing himself as a pioneer in the field. Yet, despite his achievements, something remained unfulfilled. His artistic instincts, once buried under the weight of professional responsibilities, resurfaced just as he was preparing to retire. In the years leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, he sold his business, freeing himself to finally pursue the passion he had set aside for decades.
With no formal art education, Dr Lowly embarked on a journey of self-discovery, immersing himself in experimentation and research. His artistic voice emerged through fearless exploration, uninhibited by traditional constraints. Today, he is a full-time artist, unencumbered by financial concerns, allowing him to dedicate himself entirely to his creative pursuits. His story serves as a testament to the enduring power of childhood dreams, proving that passion, once rediscovered, can lead to new and unexpected beginnings.
Colors, Motion, and the Essence of Nature
Dr Lowly’s artistic vision is deeply intertwined with nature’s grandeur. His paintings capture the fleeting yet profound moments that define the natural world—melting glaciers whispering of time’s passage, golden sunsets igniting the sky, and the quiet elegance of winter’s embrace. These elements find their way into his work, transforming each canvas into an abstract travelogue of his global journeys. Among his inspirations are the iconic pyramids of Giza, which he has visited twice, marveling at their timeless presence and the enduring ingenuity of human civilization.
His artwork pulses with energy and movement, a symphony of bold hues and expressive forms. Birds frequently appear in his compositions, from vividly colored toucans to imagined avian figures that embody resilience and the unending cycle of creation. His background in medicine also influences his artistic curiosity, drawing him toward microscopic imagery—intricate patterns found in human tissues become metaphors for the vast and unseen dimensions of life. This fusion of the organic and the abstract allows him to explore both the minute and the monumental, capturing life’s hidden beauty.
Dr Lowly’s technique is as dynamic as his themes. Using an array of unconventional tools—including syringes, torches, and squeeze bottles—he applies paint with spontaneity and precision. His “squeeze and splatter” approach brings an element of controlled chaos to his compositions, echoing the unpredictability of nature itself. Whether depicting sweeping landscapes or microscopic structures, his work seeks to bridge the ephemeral with the eternal, reminding viewers of the delicate balance between impermanence and infinite possibility.
Dr Lowly: Visionary Ambitions and Artistic Innovation
A deep admiration for groundbreaking artists fuels Dr Lowly’s creative evolution. Vincent van Gogh’s expressive brushwork and emotional intensity inspire him to infuse his paintings with raw energy. Claude Monet’s mastery of light and atmosphere influences his approach to capturing transient beauty. Meanwhile, Jackson Pollock’s revolutionary drip technique emboldens him to embrace spontaneity, pushing the boundaries of abstraction with his own experimental methods. These artistic luminaries shape his philosophy, reminding him that true innovation lies in fearless exploration.
Among his most significant works is Echoes of Giza, a painting that embodies his fascination with the pyramids’ timeless mystique. This piece serves as a tribute to humanity’s pursuit of permanence, capturing the weathered limestone blocks that have withstood millennia. For Dr Lowly, the pyramids symbolize the audacity and resilience of the human spirit—qualities that he strives to reflect in his art. Through Echoes of Giza, he channels a deep reverence for history while contemplating the future, bridging past and present through color and form.
Dr Lowly’s aspirations extend beyond the canvas. One of his most ambitious projects is a large-scale solo exhibition in Singapore that merges art and technology. Envisioning an immersive experience, he plans to incorporate 3D holograms that bring his paintings to life, allowing viewers to engage with his work in a multi-dimensional space. Additionally, he is developing 3D sculptures based on his artwork, pushing the boundaries of traditional mediums. By integrating technology with fine art, he seeks to redefine how audiences interact with paintings, transforming static images into dynamic, evolving experiences. Through this endeavor, he continues to challenge conventions, proving that art is not merely seen—it is felt, experienced, and reimagined.
