The Art of Khik Weng Keat

Crocodilian Congregation , acrylic on canvas, 2022. 23.5" X 33" There are three subgroups in the crocodilian family, which include the 17 species of crocodiles themselves, the eight species of alligators and caimans, and the two species of gharials. Crocodilians are found in all tropical and subtropical regions of the world. They are powerful predators, equally at home on land and in water. The saltwater crocodile ( Crocodylus porosus ) is the largest crocodilian, measuring up to 6 meters or more in length. A powerful ambush predator, its jaws had the strongest bite of any living animal. Unlike most crocodiles, the saltwater crocodile also inhabits brackish and salt water habitats like mangrove swamps, river deltas and even open beaches. It can be found from eastern India to Southeast Asia and northern Australia. Behind the tree is a Chinese alligator ( Alligator sinensis ), one of the world's only two species of alligator beside the American alligator. It rests in burrow...

  Garden of Natural Splendor , acrylic on canvas, 2022. 59" X 40" This artwork is based on Malaysian bird life. It depicts two Malaysian national symbols: the hibiscus (national flower) and hornbills (national bird). The Hibiscus rosa-sinensis species comes in a wide range of colors including red, orange, yellow, pink and even purple. The red-colored hibiscus is regarded as the national flower, as the color red represents courage and the five petals symbolize the five principles of the Rukun Negara . The dark purple hibiscus at the bottom is of the striking Black Dragon hybrid variety .  The pair of hornbills represent the two largest and most popular hornbills found in Malaysia: the great hornbill (left,  Buceros bicornis  AKA  Enggang Papan ) and the rhinoceros hornbill (right,  Buceros rhinoceros  AKA  Enggang Badak / Kenyalang ). The great hornbill is the heaviest of the hornbills and can be found in the northern part of peninsular Malaysia....