The Art of Khik Weng Keat

WEIRD BUT ENCHANTING Some animals look unusual among their relatives for their features. However, these weird features are actually evolutionary adaptations which help these animals to survive in their environment, either to predators, climate change or lifestyle.  Weird but Enchanting , acrylic on canvas, 2020. Set of 9, each piece 8" X 8"  Axolotl Youthful Trio, acrylic on canvas, 2020 The axolotl ( Ambystoma mexicanum ) is a species of salamander which is also called the "walking fish". This amphibian reaches maturity without changing any part of its body, including its gills, and also has the ability to grow back lost body parts. Axolotls come in a variety of colors; the normal coloration is actually brown with gold speckles (on the lower right of the painting). The popular light pink coloration (shown at the top center) is actually caused by a mutation. Colugo Malayan Colugo, acrylic on canvas, 2020 The Malayan colugo ( Galeopterus variegatus ) belongs to a uni...

  Legendary Sight, acrylic on canvas, 2020. 14" x 10" The common sea dragon or weedy sea dragon ( Phyllopteryx taeniolatus ) is a member of the seahorse family and is a cousin of the more well-known leafy sea dragon. Although it had smaller and fewer seaweed-like appendages on their fins than those of the leafy sea dragon, the common sea dragon also blends into marine plants with them as a form of camouflage to disguise itself from predators. It can be found in the southern coasts of Australia, where it is made the marine emblem of the Australian state of Victoria.

  Mount Rush-ROAR, acrylic on canvas, 2020. 12" x 8" This painting is a parody of the famous US monument Mount Rushmore which depicts four mighty carnivore mammals in place of the original's heads of four US Presidents. The four animals are the lion, tiger, wolf and bear. All four are powerful symbols which are revered across four continents. The lion represents Africa and the tiger represents Asia. The wolf and the bear share a range throughout Europe and North America. The wolf is a respected symbol in Italy as it played a role in the legend of the founding of Rome. The brown bear is an icon of strength and protection in North America and Europe.

  MAJESTIC MENAGERIE IV A menagerie can be defined as a collection of exotic and unique animals, and the term also refers to a precursor to modern zoos which also showcases exotic animals. In the 18th century, the term menagerie is used for animal collections by aristocrats or royals who seek to display their power and wealth because exotic animals are quite difficult to acquire and harder to maintain. The natural world, however, had a vast collection of diverse life which can be considered unique in their own ways. Majestic Menagerie Vol. 4 , acrylic on canvas, 2020. Set of 9, each piece 8" X 8"  Armadillos Little and Large, acrylic on canvas, 2020 Two armadillo species are depicted in this painting: the giant armadillo ( Priodontes maximus ) and the pink fairy armadillo ( Chlamyphorus truncatus ). They are the largest and smallest species of armadillo respectively. Both these species can be found in South America, and the pink fairy armadillo can only be found in Argentina....

  AVIAN ASSORTMENT II As one of the most colorful classes in the animal kingdom, birds (or aves) come in an assortment of shapes, sizes and colors. The bird class adapts a colorful spectrum of feather varieties, as well as some unique features and lifestyles, to adapt to the ever-changing natural world. Avian Assortment Vol. 2 , acrylic on canvas, 2020. Set of 9, each piece 8" X 8"  Bearded Vulture Bearded vulture, acrylic on canvas, 2020 Like other vultures, the bearded vulture ( Gypaetus barbatus ) is a scavenger which feeds on dead animals. However, it is unique among other vultures for its digestive system: the powerful stomach acids in its stomach is able to dissolve bone, which enables the vulture to swallow and digest large bones. This vulture ranged from Europe and Africa to the Middle East, southern and central Asia. In the painting, a golden eagle encounters a pair of bearded vultures. Japanese Cranes Cranes in Springtime, acrylic on canvas, 2020 The Japanese or red...

  Orchids are a diverse family of flowers that are extremely popular as house plants. Around 6 to 11 per cent of all plants that produce seeds are orchids. This family is also well-known for the variety of shapes in its flowers.  Mirror Orchid, acrylic on art block, 2018 Red  Doritis , acrylic on art block, 2018 Purple  Doritis , acrylic on art block, 2018 Cattleya , acrylic on art block, 2018

TINTS OF THE TANK  Like the diverse marine life, freshwater life including various species of fish come in a spectrum of colors, shapes and sizes. Some of these freshwater life are widely sought after as pets for their beauty. This collection showcases some of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish. Tints of the Tank , acrylic on canvas, 2020. Set of 9, each piece 8" X 8"  Galaxy Crayfish Galaxy Crayfish, acrylic on canvas, 2020. The galaxy crayfish ( Cherax pulcher ) is a newly-discovered species of crayfish which can be found in western New Guinea. The vivid and fancy coloration on the crayfish is said to resemble celestial objects and phenomena, hence the name. The crayfish in the painting is accompanied by a pair of neon tetras. Comet Goldfish Original Goldfish, acrylic on canvas, 2020. The comet goldfish is one of the breeds of goldfish which is the closest in relation to the original common goldfish. It can be differentiated from the common goldfish for its long, sin...

  Beesiness, acrylic on canvas, 2020. 9.5" x 12". Honey bees are one of the most hardworking insects, besides ants. They pollinate flowers and gather nectar from them to produce honey in the hive. Bees collect the pollen on sacs which are attached on their back pair of legs. Nearby, the bees are observed by a Japanese hornet, the world's largest hornet. This hornet is known to attack bee colonies, kill bees and steal honey from bee hives.

  Oriental Treasures, acrylic on canvas, 2020. 24" X 24" This painting contains numerous symbols in Chinese culture. The dragon is considered to be the ultimate symbol of good luck, fortune and success in Feng Shui. Chinese coins represent the unity between heaven and Earth and symbolizes the abundance of wealth. The lotus flower is a popular Buddhist symbol that represents purity, perfection and boundless advancement. The koi carp is a very famous auspicious symbol as a symbol of determination, based on a legend that features the fish swimming against the river current before becoming a dragon upon reaching the Dragon Gate. Behind the fish in the painting as a pagoda, which represents academic and career luck. The lion-like jade statue in the painting is known as a "Fu Dog", a symbol of protection. Peach fruits can be found throughout the painting, and they are often associated with health, wealth and longevity. The lion dance in the lower left of the painting is s...

  Power and Prosperity, acrylic on canvas, 2020. The Dragon and the Phoenix are powerful symbols of success and prosperity in Eastern culture and Feng Shui. Artworks depicting the dragon and the phoenix together symbolize happiness and harmony between married couples, as they complement each other just like the yin and yang symbol, where the dragon generates yang energy and the phoenix takes on yin energy. The dragon usually represents the husband while the phoenix represents the wife, as they are traditionally believed to be the symbols of the emperor and empress in Chinese culture. The dragon is also a symbol of wealth and continuous success. The phoenix, being a symbol of rebirth, brings turnaround luck and provides new career opportunities.

Necking Out, acrylic on canvas, 2019. 9.5" x 12". The giraffe has the longest neck of any mammal, which makes up nearly half of its overall height. Measuring around 2 to 2-and-a-half meters in length, the neck itself consists of seven extended neck bones, each of them nearly 30 centimeters long. The extension of the neck bones is said to be an evolutionary breakthrough: it enables the animal to reach tall tree canopies to feed on the leaves. Some scientists believe the neck also functioned to regulate their body temperature.