The Art of Khik Weng Keat

  Pearly Procession , acrylic on canvas, 2026. 24" X 36" The chambered nautilus ( Nautilus pompilius ), also known as the pearly nautilus, has been one of the ocean's greatest mysteries. With a body form that remained unchanged for hundreds of millions of years, this ancient-looking cephalopod is slowly revealing itself to the study of the natural world as human exploration revealed more into its lifestyle and speciality. The nautilus generally inhabits dark, high-pressure environments 100–600 m (300 to 2,000 ft) below the ocean surface during the day. At night, these nocturnal creatures ascend to shallower depths of around 300 to 900 m (100 to 300 ft) to feed on carrion, crabs, and small fish more actively before descending back into the twilight zone by dawn.  The artist uses a black canvas as the backdrop to illustrate their preferred deep-sea habitat, and arranges the group in the shape of a question mark (?) to reflect the unknown secrets that remain buried with...

  Chromatic Radiance , acrylic on canvas, 2026. 24" X 36" The ornate rock lobster ( Panulirus ornatus ) is said to be one of the most beautiful crustaceans, with a striking blue-green shell with orange spines, pale spots on the abdomen, and legs distinctly banded with black and white spots. It had a wide geographical range in the Indo-Pacific region and is highly prized as a culinary delicacy, with flesh that is said to be sweet, tender, and considered more flavorful than many other lobster varieties. Lobsters have historically represented opulence. In 17th-century Europe, artists incorporated lobsters in their works to signify wealth, abundance, and worldly power, and many modern or trendy establishments, especially seafood restaurants, use lobster art as a nod to avant-garde culture and maritime heritage. By displaying lobster art, restaurants lean into this long history of culinary indulgence and prestige, as well as a connection to the beauty of the natural world. The art...