(b. Malaysia, 1931; d. Singapore, 1995)

Born in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Eldest of three siblings (one younger sister and one younger brother).

Begins drawing as a student at Chi Hwa School, Seremban.

Enrols at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) in the Western Painting department where she studies under Cheong Soo Pieng, Chen Wen Hsi and Goh Teck Sian.

[MAY] Leaves for Paris from Singapore to enrol at École des Beaux-Arts, Paris, France, under the painter Roger Chapelain-Midy.

Records her address at a youth hostel at 44 rue Bernardins, Paris.

Travels and paints in England, Netherlands, Germany, Spain and Italy. Holds solo exhibitions in Paris (possibly in 1958) and Athens.

Contributes works to the Salon of the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts, Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris.

Receives a French Government Art Scholarship to support her education.

Contributes three works to the Société des Artistes Français, Grand Palais des Champs-Élysées, where she receives an honourable mention for participation.

Paysage (Acropole), Paysage (Agora), Paysage (Lambili)

Contributes works to the Salon of the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts, Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris.

Contributes two works to the Salon of the Société des Artistes Français, Grand Palais des Champs-Élysées.

Nue, Nature morte

Contributes two works to the Salon of the Société des Artistes Indépendants, Grand Palais des Champs-Élysées.

Inspiration musicale, Village de Mykonos

[JULY] Returns to Singapore.

Accepts invitation from Lim Hak Tai to become a full-time teacher at NAFA. Teaches drawing until her retirement.

[APRIL 1–8] Contributes five works to the Singapore Art Society’s 10th Open Exhibition of Work by Local Artists, Victoria Memorial Hall, Singapore.

Nude, The Windmill at Mykonos Greece, Athens, City of Aden, Sorting Betlenuts

[JULY 16–20] Holds solo exhibition (86 works), Lai Foong Moi, organised by the Singapore Art Society and held at the Victoria Memorial Hall, Singapore. S. Rajaratnam, Minister for Culture, opens the exhibition.

[AUGUST–OCTOBER] Contributes one work to the Pameran Lukisan Negara Yang Kedua (Second National Exhibition), National Art Gallery, Malaysia.

Pengkalan Kapal (Shipyard)

Publishes a catalogue of 66 works (63 in black and white and 3 colour plates) to commemorate her return to Singapore. Catalogue includes works painted in Europe and after her return to Malaya. Invites prominent figures in the art world to write testimonials in the foreword, including Michael Sullivan (Curator, University of Malaya Art Museum), Roger Chapelain-Midy (her teacher at École des Beaux-Arts), Goh Teck Sian (her teacher at NAFA), Marco Hsu (artist and critic), Lee Singko (journalist) as well as a calligraphic inscription by Lim Hak Tai (Founding Principal of NAFA).

[APRIL 5–17] Contributes six works to the Singapore Art Society’s 11th Exhibition of Work by Local Artists, Singapore Polytechnic, Singapore.

Sago Making Sarawak, Mosque Kuala Lumpur, Long House Sarawak, Ferry Kuching, Milling Rice Sarawak, Harvest

[APRIL 30–MAY 5] Holds solo exhibition (80 works), organised by the Federation of Malaya Arts Council and held at the British Council, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Robert van Gulik, Netherlands Ambassador to the Federation of Malaya, opens the exhibition.

[JUNE] Contributes two works to the Pameran Lukisan Hari Kebangsaan (Exhibition of Works by Local Artists in Celebration of National Day), Victoria Memorial Hall, Singapore.

Singapore Waterfront, Hari Raya

[AUGUST–NOVEMBER] Contributes one work to the Pameran Lukisan Negara Yang Ketiga (Third National Exhibition), National Art Gallery, Malaysia.

Budak Indian (Indian Boy)

[MAY 16–24] Contributes two works to the 7th Malayan Artists Exhibition, British Council Hall, Singapore.

Ironing, Bersarah Boats

[AUGUST] Travels with the Ten Men Group on its first painting trip to the east coast of Malaysia by car. The group includes Yeh Chi Wei, Chen Cheng Mei, Lim Tze Peng, Choo Keng Kwang, Cheah Phee Chye, Seah Kim Joo, Lee Sik Khoon, Yeo Tiong Wah and Tan Miow Kheng.
Does not participate in subsequent trips or exhibitions.

[DECEMBER 28] Contributes three works to the Ten Men Art Exhibition, Singapore.

Malay Kampong, Sorting Out the Fish, Morning Market

[DECEMBER–JANUARY] Contributes one work to the Pameran Lukisan Negara 4 (Fourth National Exhibition), National Art Gallery, Malaysia.

Menarek Jala (Pulling Nets)

[JUNE 8–13] Contributes four works to the Pameran Lukisan Hari Kebangsaan (Exhibition of Works by Local Artists in Celebration of National Day), Victoria Memorial Hall, Singapore.

Fish Drying, Selecting Fish, Fishing Boats, Still Life

[AUGUST–OCTOBER] Contributes one work to the Pameran Lukisan Negara 5 (Fifth National Exhibition), National Art Gallery, Malaysia.

Still Life

[DECEMBER 20–23] Contributes three works to the Society of Chinese Artists Annual Art Exhibition, Victoria Memorial Hall, Singapore.

Cheng Bo Swimming Pool, Portrait, Landscape

[MARCH] Holds solo exhibition in City Hall, Penang, Malaysia. Raja Tun Uda Al-Haj bin Raja Muhammad, Governor of Penang, opens the exhibition.

[AUGUST–NOVEMBER] Contributes one work to the Pameran Lukisan Negara 6 (Sixth National Exhibition), National Art Gallery, Malaysia.

Berhala Di-Bali (Temple in Bali)

[APRIL 23–30] Contributes three works to the Singapore Art Society’s 15th Annual Exhibition, Victoria Memorial Hall, Singapore.

Batu Cave, George City From the Hills, Dyak Musicians

[APRIL 3–9] Contributes two works to the Singapore Art Society’s 16th Annual Exhibition, Victoria Memorial Hall, Singapore.

Crossing, Zaina

[MAY] Contributes two works to the Seni Lukis Singapura Se-zaman (Contemporary Art of Singapore), National Art Gallery, Malaysia.

Crossing, Zaina

[AUGUST 21–24] Contributes one work to the Society of Chinese Artists 30th Anniversary Exhibition, Singapore.

Crossing

[OCTOBER 15–25] Contributes two works to the Singapore Conference Hall Inaugural Exhibition, Singapore.

Boats Bali, Malacca Fortress

[JULY 22–24] Contributes one work to the Society of Chinese Artists Annual Art Exhibition, Victoria Memorial Hall, Singapore.

Contemplation

[JUNE] Participates in charity exhibition held by Singapore Middle School Chinese Teachers’ Association to raise funds for a new building.

[DECEMBER 15–18] Contributes one work to the Angkatan Pelukis Aneka Daya, Contemporary ’73 exhibition, Singapore.

Singapore City

[JUNE] Contributes works to the International Women’s Year Exhibition, Singapore. The exhibition of 81 works features 41 artists including Georgette Chen, Chern Yet Siew, Sun Yee, Rohani Ismail and Anaratnam Gunaratnam.

[OCTOBER 2–4] Contributes one work to Singapore Art Society’s 26th Annual Exhibition, Victoria Memorial Hall, Singapore.

A View of Lion City Singapore

[JULY–AUGUST] Contributes one work to Paintings by Contemporary Artists of Malaysia, Singapore & Indonesia from the collection of Lim Chong Keat, Penang Museum, Malaysia.

Musicians

[OCTOBER 26–DECEMBER 23] Contributes nine works to the Pameran Retrospektif Pelukis-Pelukis Nanyang (Nanyang Painters Retrospective Exhibition), National Art Gallery, Malaysia. The exhibition curated by Redza Piyadasa, marks the first time the category of the “Nanyang painter” is explored in the context of a museum exhibition.

Chinese Temple, Long House, Waterside Village, Dyak Musicians, Portrait of Paris Model, Iban Dance, Still Life, Still Life with Orange, San Sui Worker

[APRIL] Contributes one work to the ASEAN Exhibition of Paintings and Photographs, National Art Gallery, Malaysia.

[AUGUST 11–17] Contributes one work to the ASPACAE ‘85 Asian Pacific Conference on Art Education: Nanyang Art Exhibition, RELC Centre, Singapore.

Temple

[NOVEMBER 16–20] Contributes works to the NAFA Lecturers Arts Exhibition ‘88, National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore.

[FEBRUARY 24–MARCH 13] Works by Lai in Singapore’s National Collection are shown in Pont des Arts: Nanyang Artists in Paris 1925–1970, Singapore Art Museum, Singapore.

[SEPTEMBER 1–7] Participates in the exhibition Six Artists Singapore, Orchard Road Exhibition Hall, Singapore. Exhibition also features Lim Yew Kuan, Tan Tee Chie, Foo Chee San, Wee Beng Chong and Yeo Hoe Koon.

[JANUARY] Retires from NAFA.

[AUGUST 23] Passes away from cancer.