VARIETY is the spice of life. If variety in artistic styles is what you’re looking for Metro Fine Art is just the place for you. It is holding an exhibition entitled "Too Much Flavour Avant-garde" from Friday till Nov 19.

The exhibition features more than 45 pieces of paintings by 14 established artists whose styles range from landscape realism to contemporary abstract expressionism.

They are Cheah Ewe Hoon, Chow Chin Chuan, Harris Ribut, Lim Ah Cheng, Rohaizad Shaari, Soon Lai Wai, Tang Hong Lee, Wong Miau Yong, Yeoh Kian Thai, Tang Ying Min, Wong Jong Nong, Zainal Abidin Musa, Zaharuddin Sarbini and Low Seok Loo.

The works are specially selected to offer great taste and a variety of choices for collectors who are just starting out as well as for avid collectors and art lovers who want to add something new to their collection.

For example, still-life artist Zaharuddin’s main subject is Malaysian fruits. Using bold strokes and vivid details in his works, the fruits assume a life of its own. Most of the fruits are painted while still on the tree, giving it a fresh perspective.

Another notable artist is Lim Ah Cheng, famous for his Challenging Horses series. Lim’s abstract expressionism, using Chinese brush techniques, is a trademark of his collection. The horses, assume a powerful and energetic persona under his bold brush strokes and superior techniques. The result reveals the horses’ raw and wild prance, reflecting their relationship with the complexities of the world around them.

Another artist who is greatly influenced by the Chinese brush technique painting is Soon Lai Wai. Captivated by the elegance and ethereal qualities of the lotus flower while on holiday in Bali, he chose the flower as his subject. Soon’s energetic brush strokes is coupled with the aesthetics of Chinese art, where every element must be in balance. The result is a serene piece of work in harmonious colours.

Woven textiles get the royal treatment from Tang Ying Min, renowned for The Songket and Sarong series. Tang’s works are more than just still paintings of textiles. To him, the textiles represent the rich Malay cultural heritage and history. In her piece entitled Wings of Love, the ‘wing’ of the sarong motif popular during the Malacca Sultanate becomes a symbol of legendary love between Princess Hang Li Po and Sultan Mansur Shah.

Meanwhile, Tang Hong Lee in his Village series uses bright and solid colours. Though it may seem plain and artless at a glance, his works portray childlike innocence.

Metro Fine Art is at the ground floor of Legend Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. Viewing hours: 11am-5.30pm (Monday-Friday) and 11.30am and 3.30pm (Saturday). Free admission. Call 03-4042-2224/7803-8399.