The Art of Khik Weng Keat

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...