Theo Meier

Theo Meier was a Swiss-born painter best known for his vibrant depictions of Southeast Asian and Balinese life. Born in 1908 in Basel, Switzerland, Meier demonstrated an early interest in art, heavily influenced by the expressionist movement and the works of Paul Gauguin. In the 1930s, seeking fresh inspiration, he left Europe and began traveling extensively throughout Asia, ultimately settling in Bali and later in Thailand.

Immersed in these cultures, Meier became celebrated for his portraits and landscapes, which captured the everyday beauty, rituals, and people of the region with bold color and dynamic compositions. He soon emerged as a key figure among the expatriate artist community in Southeast Asia, forging friendships with artists such as Walter Spies and Emilio Ambron. Theo Meier’s works remain highly valued for their empathetic portrayals of local life and their unique blend of Western technique with Eastern subjects.

He continued to paint and live in Thailand until his death in 1982, leaving behind a significant legacy that bridges cultural and artistic worlds.