The Art of Khik Weng Keat

  Treasures of the Night , acrylic on canvas, 2025. 24" X 16.5" The artist incorporates nocturnal animals with some foliage and fungi to illustrate a vibrant moonlit nighttime view. Flying foxes are the largest members of the bat family, and bats have been revered as a symbol of luck and good fortune in Eastern cultures. Fireflies are present in the painting as an analogue to the sparkling lights of the stars. Also present are a barred eagle-owl and a binturong (bear-cat), two famous nocturnal animals found in Malaysia. The flower in the top right is the black bat flower ( Tacca chantrieri ), a plant of the yam family which is commonly found in Southeast Asia and used in traditional Chinese medicine as a cure for various ailments.

  M ousedeer's Play Yard , acrylic on canvas, 2025. 24" X 16.5" This artwork is a sequel to Rafflesia's Garden , and also contains local wildlife and flora like its predecessor, with an emphasis on flora. The main focus of the painting is the mousedeer, a popular animal mascot in Malaysia. The popular folk character Sang Kancil and the legend of the founding of the state of Malacca all trace back to this small herbivore. Other animals depicted in the painting are the Serama  chicken, red-eared terrapin (a popular pet turtle species), palm civet, long-nosed horned frog and green peafowl. The hibiscus and Rafflesia remain but are also surrounded by several new plants such as moth orchids ( Phalaenopsis ) and staghorn ferns, as well as fungi such as the Ganoderma mushroom ( lingzhi ) and lion's mane mushroom ( Hericium erinaceus ), both popularly used in traditional medicine.

  Earth at Centre , acrylic on canvas, 2025. 24" X 24" Geocentrism is a term that refers to a planetary theory where the Earth occupies the central position of the world system. However in the context of this painting, the Sun does not revolve around the Earth but the Earth is at the center of the painting, with the Sun behind it. The Sun covers most of the background, and is still positioned in the centre of the painting.  Since antiquity, the geocentric view often implied that humans were the pinnacle of creation, and therefore, the universe was structured around them. In the thousands of years humanity has been studying the cosmos, we are the first people to know one thing for sure: the stars beyond our Sun are teeming with planets of various sizes. Like most scientific questions, though, getting an answer to this one just raises more questions, which includes the possibility of intelligent life beyond Earth. Are we truly alone in this universe? A certain astronom...

  Barnyard Bunch , acrylic on canvas, 2025. 24" X 16.5" This painting is inspired by the film Barnyard and the folk song Old Macdonald Had a Farm , and shows a farm with various animals. It often represents balance and harmony in a community, as the animals mingle with each other in the farm. There is also a harmonious relationship between the life and the land in a farm, which is said to be an "ecosystem" that can sustain them for a long time.

Elder Serpent's Blessing , acrylic on canvas, 2025. 24" X 24" The artist welcomes the Year of the Snake with this painting depicting an albino Burmese python with red pineapples and sugar cane. The albino Burmese python is chosen as the snake in the painting for its white and yellow scales, which make it look like it is gold in color. In Chinese culture, snakes are spiritual animals that represent wisdom, knowledge, good fortune, fertility, and longevity. According to ancient legends, the Snake has its own underground kingdom with numerous precious treasures, and those who are eager to make a great fortune should pray in the temple of the Snake. Red pineapples have become a modern symbol for prosperity and protection during the Chinese New Year and are favored for combining two ancient traditions into one decoration. The red pineapple is a rare cultivar that is believed to have originated in South America and is often grown as an ornamental plant.  The Chin...

  Icons of the Rising Sun: Bounty of the Ocean , acrylic on canvas, 2024. 16.5" X 24" This 4-part series commemorates the 70th anniversary of Japan's beloved  Godzilla  franchise and fuses the fame of the so-called "King of the Monsters" with the popularity of Japanese culture. Both these icons have become extremely well-known worldwide.  Part 4 of the series focuses on the  Reiwa  era, which in the  Godzilla  franchise encompasses the mid-2010s to the present. The painting depicts Godzilla in its appearance from the Monsterverse, a series of American-made Godzilla films made in this era since 2014, which is an era of rapid spread of international popularity for the franchise. In the painting, Godzilla emerges from the ocean with fish jumping out of the water including tuna and saba /blue   mackerel. These fish, known for being key ingredients in seafood such as sushi , sashimi and grilled fish, are among those that made Japan known...

Icons of the Rising Sun: Hero of the Millennium , acrylic on canvas, 2024. 16.5" X 24" This 4-part series commemorates the 70th anniversary of Japan's beloved  Godzilla  franchise and fuses the fame of the so-called "King of the Monsters" with the popularity of Japanese culture. Both these icons have become extremely well-known worldwide.  Part 3 of the series focuses on the  Millennium  era, which in the  Godzilla  franchise encompasses the late 1990s to the early 2000s. The painting depicts Godzilla in its appearance from the films Godzilla 2000: Millennium (1999) and Godzilla vs. Megaguirus (2000) where the monster is seen with purple spines. In the painting, Godzilla is seen alongside Mothra, a large moth monster that sometimes appears as either Godzilla's ally or adversary, which appears to sprinkle sakura (cherry blossom) petals on Godzilla to give its spines its pinkish hue.  Sakura plants are symbolic in Japanese culture, representing the...

  Icons of the Rising Sun: Guardian of Tradition , acrylic on canvas, 2024. 16.5" X 24" This 4-part series commemorates the 70th anniversary of Japan's beloved  Godzilla  franchise and fuses the fame of the so-called "King of the Monsters" with the popularity of Japanese culture. Both these icons have become extremely well-known worldwide. In 2015, the character Godzilla itself was granted citizenship and appointed as the tourism ambassador for Tokyo's Shinjuku district. Part 2 of the series focuses on the  Heisei  era, which in the  Godzilla  franchise encompasses the late 1980s to the early 1990s. In the painting, the 1985 version of Godzilla (as depicted in the film The Return of Godzilla ) is seen near a volcano that spews out gold "lava" and koban coins, the scene being a reference to the film's climax set near Mount Mihara, an active volcano on the Japanese isle of Izu Ōshima. The gold "lava" is also a reference to  kintsugi (go...

  Icons of the Rising Sun: Power of Umami , acrylic on canvas, 2024. 16.5" X 24" This 4-part series commemorates the 70th anniversary of Japan's beloved Godzilla franchise and fuses the fame of the so-called "King of the Monsters" with the popularity of Japanese food culture. Both these icons have become extremely well-known worldwide. Part 1 of the series focuses on the Showa era, which in the Godzilla franchise encompasses the 1950s to the 1970s. In the painting, the 1954 version of Godzilla is seen breathing out crystals of monosodium glutamate (MSG), a flavor enhancer which is marketed across the world under the brand name " Aji-no-Moto ". MSG is a popular condiment as it has a savory taste, or umami taste, which is regarded as the fifth basic taste; characteristic of broths and cooked meats. Foods that have a strong umami flavor include meat and seafood. Japan is known to have a food culture based around their extensive seafood industry. The abun...

Winter's Joy , acrylic on canvas, 2024. 24" X 24" The painting depicts a fun scenery that incorporates elements of winter and the Christmas festivities, and intends to present Christmas as a time of joy and togetherness during winter. In the painting a family of snowmen gather near a gingerbread house and engage in various activities and put on various outfits, while another snowman (a reference to Frosty the Snowman) rides with a Christmas nutcracker and a gingerbread man on a sleigh pulled by a reindeer (a reference to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer). The jolly face of Santa Claus appears in place of the sun, similar to the baby-faced sun from the children's TV show,  Teletubbies .

  Striking Similarity , acrylic on canvas, 2024. 24" X 24" This artwork highlights similarities between two types of plants - bamboo and sugarcane, which were a favorite food for two types of animals: pandas and elephants, respectively. Bamboo and sugarcane have several striking similarities - as they are both tall, woody plants of the grass family with hollow stems. Due to the similarities the plants have, elephants can also eat bamboo while pandas are also able to dine on sugar cane, which means they share one thing in common although a river divides them in the painting. There is a bridge for the pandas to cross while the elephants would be able to cross the river. An elephant is even shown offering a sugar cane. The painting reflects that different people could share interests although the interests slightly differ.

  Mid-Autumn Moongazing , acrylic on canvas, 2024. 24" X 16.5" The artwork is made for the Mid-Autumn or Mooncake Festival and incorporates various elements related to the festival, including mooncakes, rabbits and lanterns, coming together to represent unity. The festival falls on the 15th day of the 8th month in the Chinese lunar calendar, when a full moon would be visible by night. The full moon in the night sky is a powerful symbol of unity, as it reminds people of the importance of family and loved ones coming together. Gazing at the full moon is a time-honored tradition during the festival, as it is believed to bring good luck and happiness to the family. The centerpiece of the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations is the mooncake, which can come in various flavors ranging from red bean paste to green tea to charcoal durian. Representing the full moon, mooncakes are also potent symbols of unity, reunion and completeness. Lanterns are another essential element in the Mid-Autu...

Extreme Frontier , acrylic on canvas, 2024. 36" X 36" The artist intends to highlight the scope of humanity’s exploration of the Solar System by including spacecraft among the nine planets. Most of the spacecraft (including the Vostok, Space Shuttle, International Space Station and Tiangong Space Station) are near the Earth’s orbit, some spacecraft landed on the Moon, while an unmanned space probe (Voyager 2) can be seen exploring the outer planets. The painting is further modified with the addition of animals based on constellations, namely Aries (ram); Taurus (bull); Cancer (crab), Leo (lion), Scorpio (scorpion), Sagittarius (centaur), Capricorn (goat) and Pisces (goldfish). This is a reference to the constellations' depiction in ancient star charts, which made them easier to identify and understand, aiding in navigation.  Our expanding understanding of the cosmos has the capacity to alter humankind's perception of its place in the universe, and the intention to exp...

  Dino-Go-Round , acrylic on canvas, 2024. 24" X 16.5" This painting is inspired by the Blue Sky Carousel at Genting Skyworlds, and features a prehistoric-themed carousel with prehistoric animals in the place of popular carousel animals. Dinosaur heads are used as the decorations at the top. The "customers" in the artwork are various species of prehistoric primates.  This artwork is the artist's first attempt at incorporating paleo-art with "genre" art, which is combining prehistoric animals with aspects of contemporary lifestyles.  

  Mesozoic Mariners , acrylic on canvas, 2024. 24" X 16.5" The artwork depicts a Tyrannosaurus swimming past a scenery of marine life from the Mesozoic era. The artist intends to show the breaking of the boundaries between two different worlds, as the T. rex , a land creature, is shown to be able to swim. This act has been backed by fossil evidence - scientists found both ripple marks and mud cracks in a riverbed, indicating the dinosaur was swimming against a current, and noticed distinct claw marks that stretched 50 feet apart from each other, showing the T. rex  may occasionally have paddled long distances through water. Additionally, the dinosaur's hollow bones would have allowed it to swim. The aquatic creatures in the artwork include: Globidens , a mosasaur Platypterygius , an ichthyosaur Hydrotherosaurus , a plesiosaur Macropoma , small members of the coelacanth family Psephoderma , turtle-like placodonts Hybodus , a primitive shark Pachydiscus , an ammonite ...

  Undersea Mountain , acrylic on canvas, 2024. 16.5" X 24" This painting is inspired by the documentary Wondrous Secrets Of The Ocean Realm: Mountain In The Sea , and depicts Indo-Pacific marine life in a large, mountain-like rock structure called a seamount. Supporting a wide range of biodiversity in the painting, the seamount represents strength and solidity as it withstands the changes in ocean currents caused by eddies. It also symbolizes dreams and hopes in a sea of possibilities. 

  Vibrant Migration , acrylic on canvas, 2024. 24" X 16.5" The artist showcases the five species of sea turtle found in Malaysian waters and places them in a scene inspired by the  sea turtle migration scene from the film, Finding Nemo . The five species are the leatherback ( Penyu Belimbing ); green sea ( Penyu Agar ); hawksbill ( Penyu Karah ); loggerhead ( Penyu Tempayan ); and olive ridley ( Penyu Lipas ). The various species of sea turtles and their young come together follow the current in a migration route, implying their journeys being shaped by similar forces toward a common goal. The "vibrance" refers to the colors of the turtles and the lively activity of the baby turtles.

The artist prepares several 8" X 8" paintings in preparation for an exhibition, showcasing land and sea animals as well as dinosaurs. DENIZENS OF THE DEEP Denizens of the Deep: Humpback Whale , acrylic on canvas, 2021.  8" X 8" Denizens of the Deep: Octopus , acrylic on canvas, 2021.  8" X 8" Denizens of the Deep: Jellyfish , acrylic on canvas, 2021.  8" X 8" SAFARI SIGHTS Safari Sights: Lion , acrylic on canvas, 2021.  8" X 8" Safari Sights: Elephant , acrylic on canvas, 2021.  8" X 8" Safari Sights: Giraffe , acrylic on canvas, 2021.  8" X 8" PREHISTORIC POP ICONS Prehistoric Pop Icons: Brachiosaurus , acrylic on canvas, 2021.  8" X 8" Prehistoric Pop Icons:  Triceratops , acrylic on canvas, 2021.  8" X 8" Prehistoric Pop Icons: Tyrannosaurus Rex , acrylic on canvas, 2021.  8" X 8"

  Crooked Jungle , acrylic on canvas, 2024. 24" X 24" A crooked man lives in a crooked wooden house in a jungle full of crooked trees and crooked animals. This painting is inspired by the rhyme " There Was a Crooked Man " and is dominated by crooked and bent designs. Crooked lines are employed to convey excitement, restlessness and/or anxiety, which is perhaps reflected by the chaotic situation in the painting. The situation may have caused the crooked man to get out of the house to investigate.

  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...