The Art of Khik Weng Keat

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...