The Art of Khik Weng Keat

  Feline Fortune , acrylic on canvas, 2024. 24" X 24" The Lucky Cat is a well-known symbol of good fortune displayed in restaurants, cafes, shops, and homes around the world, but especially popular in Chinese and Japanese culture. The main cat in the painting is gold, which is the color most closely associated with money and wealth. The Lucky Cat usually holds a Japanese koban coin with one paw while raising the other. In the painting the left paw is raised, which is to beckon or invite customers. The artist adds other big cats such as lions, tigers and leopards which are symbols of protection and strength, as well as other auspicious objects of Chinese culture such as a bottle gourd, a peach and a ruyi (ceremonial scepter). When accompanied by wealth-associated objects, the big cats are also a tremendous symbol of wealth.

Twelve-In-One , acrylic on canvas, 2024. 20" X 20" The painting is a concept of a dragon having all the attributes of the other 11 creatures of the Chinese zodiac. The initials of the zodiac animals are seen around it. Rat: ears Ox: horns Tiger: striped fur on head and whiskers Rabbit: hind legs Snake: body Horse: mane Goat: beard Monkey: face and eyes Rooster: head comb, claws and tail feathers Dog: snout Pig: front legs The artist intends to show that the dragon is the most powerful sign of the Chinese zodiac by having the combined aspects displayed on the dragon.

  Blessing in Black , acrylic on canvas, 2024. 20" X 20" Series 6 in Colors of the Wild A black "panther" is a melanistic leopard found in the moist, dense forests of Africa and southern Asia. It has beautiful, glowing black fur. According to legends, the black leopard is a born leader and all animals follow it. Its nature is considered to be ‘diverse’ and ‘uncontaminated.’ The black leopard is also said to be more powerful, aggressive, and have stronger energy than other cats. With this leadership quality, a black leopard can represent and mean a lot of different things, including courage, beauty, grace, protection, wisdom, rebirth, patience, reclamation of power and ability to know the dark. In jungles, seeing panthers and leopards is considered an omen of triumph. Leopards and panthers are strong, proud, and fiercely independent, making it an emblem of bravery and martial ferocity. The dominant color scheme in the painting are dark and black hues, represented by

White Wonder , acrylic on canvas, 2024. 20" X 20" Series 5 in Colors of the Wild For many indigenous cultures of the Arctic regions, the polar bear is a powerful symbol of strength, courage, and adaptability in the face of adversity. Determined and persevering, it has all the qualities of a leader.  Polar bears are greatly respected by the Inuit people as the most intelligent animal in the Arctic, and as a symbol of the resilience, patience and determination that is needed to survive in the harsh climate. As the polar bear fearlessly traverses the frozen wilderness, it becomes a living testament to intense willpower and courage in the face of the unknown. It also symbolizes protection, especially towards its young. Whether on land or in the water, polar bears have no natural enemies, making them the world's top land predators. With their beautiful white coats, humans call them the kings of the Arctic.  The dominant color scheme in the painting are white hues, represented

  Harmony in Yellow , acrylic on canvas, 2024. 20" X 20" Series 4 in Colors of the Wild The lion is respected in many cultures as it is seen as a symbol of strength, courage, royalty, leadership, protection, guardianship, masculinity, fatherhood, resilience, endurance and duality. The female lion, or lioness, is viewed as standing for wisdom, femininity, motherhood and also protection. A pair of lions, especially a male and female pair, can represent a sense of balance and harmony. They symbolize the union of opposing forces or dualities, such as strength and gentleness, power and compassion, or yin and yang. The well known quote, 'behind every great man there's a great woman', can be represented by the relationship between the male and female lions. Lion cubs symbolize balance and harmony, as the "product" of the union of the two genders of lions. The dominant color scheme in the painting are yellow hues, which has traditionally been a symbol of confide

  Lucky Streak , acrylic on canvas, 2024. 20" X 20" The artist welcomes the Year of the Dragon with this painting depicting four young dragons playing a game of mahjong . The black dragon appears to have achieved a winning deck by drawing a 發財 " fa cai " (green dragon) tile, much to the shock of the white dragon sitting in its opposite direction, probably during a lucky streak. It implies a popular case of 食糊 (" sik wu ": winning off another player's discard), where the white dragon may have discarded the " fa cai " tile before it was drawn by the black dragon. The deck shown on the black dragon's side is shown to be "All in Triplets", where in the Hong Kong mahjong scoring rules, the player gets mostly combinations of 3 or 4 identical tile sets (碰 pung for 3 tiles, 杠 kong for 4). The dragons' winnings are shown as gold coins stored in money pots. The artist intended for the black dragon to achieve the winning deck as the bl

  Draconic Harmony , acrylic on canvas, 2024. 20" X 30" The artist welcomes the Year of the Dragon with this painting depicting Eastern and Western dragons gathering harmoniously. Asian mythology portrays Eastern dragons as auspicious, benevolent protectors, while western dragons are usually perceived as negative and destructive (although western dragons have more recently emerged as misunderstood beasts). Dragons inhabit the unconscious realms of both East and West. They had unique origins, diverse features, but much in common: claws and scales, strength of will, as well as a preference for riches and fortune. The inclusion of both dragon types suggest the complementing energies of Yin and Yang, as well as bridging the gap between East and West with harmony. The bottle gourd (also known as calabash or 葫蘆瓜/Wu Lou Gua) represents good health, prosperity, long life, wealth and abundance in Chinese culture. It is also called the “gourd of longevity" and is believed to remov

  Children of the Dragon , acrylic on canvas, 2024. 20" X 20" The artist welcomes the Year of the Dragon with a painting that depicts two mythological creatures which combine the aspects of the dragon with other animals. The qilin is sometimes referred to as the dragon horse. It is a fabulous creature of good omen, prosperity, success, longevity and enchantment. The qilin 's presence is said to attract the powerful cosmic breath of the dragon, thereby bringing good luck. It is also the symbol of the first rank military official. The  qilin  embodies all five elements and is often associated with the element of fire. The dragon tortoise combines the awesome powers and attributes of the dragon and the tortoise, two spiritually-endowed creatures in Chinese symbolism. While the tortoise symbolizes longevity, the dragon represents success, courage and determination. The dragon tortoise also signifies wealth when paired with gold coins or ingots. This mythical creature is also

  Celestial Progenitor , acrylic on canvas, 2024. 30" X 20" The artist welcomes the Year of the Dragon with this painting which depicts a golden dragon mastering the basic elements. A golden dragon represents abundance and prosperity. It is considered a guardian of the element earth, the center, heaven and the sun. The four orbs surrounding the dragon in the painting represent the elements of water, fire, metal and wood, which integrate the ever-changing cycles of the seasons. The red spider lily flowers in the top right are associated with abundance, prosperity, and good fortune. In Chinese culture, they are popular in Feng Shui for their ability to attract positive energy and wealth. Moreover, spider lilies are considered to be a symbol of renewal and rebirth, making them popular during the spring season.

  Nine Dragons: Celestial Prowess , acrylic on canvas, 2023. 20" X 20" The artist welcomes the Year of the Dragon with this painting which depicts nine dragons facing an orb of fire.  The painting is loosely based on another painting of nine dragons , which was designed such that there is a central dragon at the center `blowing' Qi. The dragon at the center approaches the flaming orb, and the dragons to the right and left twist towards the center, with each exhibiting different gestures. The dragon captures the essence of the sun and the moon, and the number nine represents the endless positive energy of heaven and earth. The artist includes background elements like clouds, waves, fire and cliffs, with the intent to include the five elements (earth, fire, water, wood, metal) aspect into the painting.  earth - cliffs fire - flaming orb water - waves wood - green color metal - gold color

  Azure Advent , acrylic on canvas, 2023. 24" X 18" The artist welcomes the Year of the Dragon with this painting depicting an azure dragon in the clouds.  The Azure/Green Dragon (Chinese: 青龍 qīng lóng), also known as Qinglong in Chinese, is one of the Dragon Gods who represent the mount or earthly forces of the Five Regions' Highest Deities (五方上帝 wǔ fāng shàng dì). The Dragon Gods in Chinese mythology are powerful weather and water deities, and are often seen as guardians of different regions, with the Azure Dragon associated with the East China Sea. The Azure Dragon represents the east and the spring season. Sometimes, it is believed to be the ancestor of all dragons worldwide. The 2024 Color of the Year in Feng Shui is sapphire blue, which not only brings its inherent qualities of serenity and wisdom but also aligns harmoniously with the energy of the year of the Wood Dragon. The element of Wood in Feng Shui is characterized by growth, vitality, and flexibility, and br

  Nine Dragons: Wealth and Prosperity , acrylic on canvas, 2023. 60" X 36" The artist welcomes the Year of the Dragon with this painting which depicts nine golden dragons and an abundance of wealth in the form of gold coins, gold sycees and red pearls. The painting seems to be inspired by the Nine Dragons painting by Chinese artist Chen Rong from 1244 (during the Song Dynasty). In Feng Shui philosophy, the dragon symbolizes prosperity and abundance. In Chinese culture, nine is the sacred number of the emperor. It was believed that the dragon king could change into nine dragon forms. The dragon in the center is supposed to represent the emperor (based on its pose), as traditionally, royal dragons have five toes or claws. The other eight dragons have four toes, and four-toed dragons are considered common and not part of the nobility. This conveys a message that wealth can be enjoyed, no matter the status, and that all classes can get along with each other in times of celebratio

  Radiant in Red , acrylic on canvas, 2023. 20" X 20" Series 2 in Colors of the Wild In many cultures, the deer is a symbol of spiritual authority. Deer symbolize the powers in nature that are not easily subdued. They also represent instinctual energy and spiritual independence. During a deer's life the antlers fall off and grow again and the animal is also a symbol of regeneration. This animal's peaceful serenity is a perfect example of what deer represents, and all together encourages a certain embracing of the divine. The deer in the painting is a red deer, a species which ranged from Europe to as far east as western China. In several European cultures, this majestic mammal symbolizes inner peace and harmony, and its regal presence represents grace and nobility. In China, the red deer is often associated with longevity, while in Japan, it is considered a symbol of strength and power. The dominant color scheme in the painting are red hues, shown by the deer, the pla

  Cosmic Conquerors , acrylic on canvas, 2023. 30" X 20" In the early days of rocket science, no one knew what spaceflight was like, which is why engineers flew animals into space to test the survivability of spaceflight and learn how to launch and land living beings safely and to better understand how spaceflight might affect human bodies. These efforts paved the way to the subsequent human exploration of space.  Animal space explorers The first animals to reach space were fruit flies, which were launched on Feb. 20, 1947 by the United States. The flies were placed aboard captured German V-2 rockets in an experiment to study radiation exposure at high altitudes. In 3 minutes and 10 seconds of flight, the fruit flies reached an altitude of 68 miles before parachuting back to Earth. The flies miraculously survived the spaceflight. The first animal to orbit the Earth was a dog named Laika, launched aboard Sputnik 2 by the Soviet Union on November 3, 1957. However, Laika died of

  Blue Nocturne , acrylic on canvas, 2023. 20" X 20" Series 1 in  Colors of the Wild In Native American traditions, the owl is called the Night Eagle. While the eagle is connected to the sun, the owl has a special connection with the night and the moon. The snowy owl is said to be a messenger who is responsible for carrying wisdom from the elders. In ancient Egypt, white owls were a symbol of royalty and a protector of souls. It is said that if you meditate with the owl, the answers to your questions will be revealed. Blue is the dominant color hue in the painting, as it is the color of wisdom, serenity, faith, and intelligence, all attributed to the symbolism of the owl. The moon also appears to be in a shade of blue, mirroring the phrase once in a blue moon : referring to something extremely rare in occurrence, which in this painting is the presence of blue tiger lilies. Tiger lilies are often associated with nobility in times past. Nocturne is defined as a picture of a nig

  Shrine of Harmony , acrylic on canvas, 2023. 24" X 16" The twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac symbolize the earthly branches. In order, they are the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Each of the twelve Chinese zodiac signs has a unique character that differentiates them from one another. Every individual is different to every other individual, as they attach themselves to factors (like race, religion, hobbies, etc.) which make these individuals appear similar although these things are shallow. Although some of the signs are conflicting with others (e.g. rat and horse, ox and goat, etc.) and may struggle to feel in sync with each other, building mutual respect and tolerance as well as accepting and appreciating differences in each other are vital for stability. Despite said differences, everyone is equal in their basic wish for peace and happiness. The painting is inspired by visits to Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur, where

A Magnificent Wonder , acrylic on canvas, 2023.  24" X 18" This artwork is based on a 3D pop-up project done by the artist at college. Artist's notes The artist intends to integrate several aspects of ancient Egyptian symbolism into one object, which conveys its mystery and magnificent wonder. Symbolism References The painting includes references to various aspects of ancient Egyptian society, including mythology.  Deities Ra - the ancient Egyptian deity of the sun. Ra was portrayed as a falcon and shared characteristics with the sky-god Horus. Horus - the god of kingship, healing, protection, the sun and the sky. He was also most often depicted as a falcon. Anubis - the god of funerary rites, protector of graves, and guide to the underworld, in ancient Egyptian religion, usually depicted as a jackal, a dog-like creature. Osiris - the god of fertility, agriculture, the afterlife, the dead, resurrection, life, and vegetation. He was classically depicted as a green-skinned

  An Unexpected Match: Ultras vs. Aliens , acrylic on canvas, 2023. 30" X 24" The painting is inspired by an episode of Ultraman X , but the sport is changed from rugby to football (soccer). Based on the painting, a simple friendly football match unites various groups, including Ultras and various alien species. When sports unite the universe, anything is possible. The characters depicted in the painting are: The artist with the figures of the characters in the painting Ultras: Ultraman - striker Ultra Seven Ultraman Ace Ultraman Taro Aliens: Alien Baltan - goalkeeper Zetton Alien Metron Alien Guts Others: Pigmon - referee Bullton - the football Birdon - viewer from above

  Drifting Biome , acrylic on canvas, 2023. 30" X 24" The painting is inspired by a scene from the second season of Prehistoric Planet . It depicts ammonites of various shapes and sizes gathering around a larger ammonite which shell is covered in algae and corals. As a "drifting biome" it provides plenty of food and places for the smaller ammonites to breed and interact. Parapuzosia is the large ammonite in the painting. The largest known species of ammonite, its shell alone measured almost three meters (9-10 ft) in diameter. As an open water organism, the ammonite drifts along the current, searching for food. The large ammonite in the painting is covered in algae and corals, which turns it into the titular drifting biome. The biome attracts a large variety of smaller ammonites with different types of shells. Baculites is a type of ammonite which had an almost straight shell that resembles a curved stick. The two-meter (6 ft) long Diplomoceras had a shell shaped lik

Intimidating Imitator , acrylic on canvas, 2023. 18" X 18" The painting depicts an Indian cobra suspiciously looking at  Darlingtonia californica , also known as the California pitcher plant, cobra lily, or cobra plant. The name "cobra lily" or "cobra plant" stems from the resemblance of its tubular leaves to a rearing cobra, complete with a forked leaf – ranging from yellow to purplish-green – that resemble a snake's tongue. Darlingtonia is a type of pitcher plant which traps insects for nutrition in a unique way. In addition to lubricating secretions and downward-pointing hairs to force its prey into its trap, this plant uses its curled hood to hide the tiny exit hole from trapped insects and offers multiple translucent false windows to exhaust the insects inside. This plant usually thrives on serpentine soil which contains minerals of the serpentine subgroup (including lizardite and chrysotile or white asbestos). The word serpentine also means resem

Frenchise , acrylic on canvas, 2023. 18" X 26" The painting depicts several symbols which represent the country of France. The title of the painting is a combination of the words French and franchise (which can be simply explained as a recognizable business because their signs and colors are the same). The word franchise almost resembles the French word for French, Français . The Eiffel Tower in Paris is the most recognizable landmark and the tallest building in the French capital. Built from wrought iron in the late 1880s, it has since become a global cultural icon of France and one of the most famous structures in the world. The rose is a symbol of romance, and the pink rose in the painting is said to be the Rosa 'La France', a hybrid rose cultivar found in France in 1867. A pink rose is also a symbol of elegance and admiration. Three roses are in the painting, conveying that one would fall in love in the country's romantic atmosphere, and reflects Paris's n

  Legendary Pearl Guardian , acrylic on canvas, 2023. 23" X 18" The weedy sea dragon ( Phyllopteryx taeniolatus ), also called the common sea dragon, inhabits the waters off south and east Australia. This superbly camouflaged fish is usually found in kelp-covered rocky reefs. Compared to the leafy sea dragon, weedy sea dragons have less flamboyant projections and are usually reddish in color with yellow spots. Like its close cousin, the seahorse, the weedy sea dragon is an awkward swimmer and instead will often swirl and drift with the current like a blade of seaweed. As with seahorses, male sea dragons are responsible for childbearing. But instead of a pouch, like seahorses have, male sea dragons have a spongy brood patch on the underside of the tail where females deposit up to 250 bright-pink, pearl-like eggs during mating. The eggs are fertilized during the transfer from the female to the male. The males then incubate the eggs and carry them to term, releasing miniature se

Paradise Meadow , acrylic on canvas, 2023. 54" X 17" The Strelitzia or bird of paradise flower is a symbol of various aspects including freedom, identity, glamour, faithfulness, joy, and paradise. Native to South Africa and now a popular flower in tropical places around the world, the  Strelitzia  is associated with many positive qualities and some spiritual meanings. The bird of paradise flower is sometimes called a crane flower because it resembles an elegant, long-necked bird. Its long stem and colorful blossoms resemble a bird with a long beak and tuft of colorful feathers on its head. These flowers, analogous to the crest of colorful feathers, grow in bunches that resemble a flock of vibrant tropical birds who are ready to take flight. Hence, the bird of paradise flower is a symbol of freedom. In addition, this native plant of South Africa also symbolizes opportunity. A land where one group of people once ruled over another (in colonialism and later, apartheid), South Af

  A Higher Advantage , acrylic on canvas, 2023. 16" X 20" Since the days of Charles Darwin, the long necks of giraffes have been a textbook example of evolution. Giraffes' long necks put them at an advantage against other herbivores in the same location, allowing them to comfortably reach food and nutrients that most other animals cannot, especially leaves from the top of tall trees such as acacia trees. This becomes especially important for survival in habitats where food can become scarce and droughts are fairly common.  In many cultures, giraffes generally represent an ability to stand out from the crowd and as symbols of aspiration, opportunity and confidence. The giraffe inspires one to reach for the highest branch. You have the capacity to go further and higher than you ever thought possible. It also commonly represents a spiritual awakening of sorts or being able to find a new perspective on the situations in your life and how they relate to the people around you.