The Art of Khik Weng Keat

Pieces of Eight , acrylic on canvas, 2025.  16" X 24" Three sea monsters, a giant octopus, a sea serpent and a giant crab, fight for a share of eight unique treasures from a treasure-filled shipwreck. Mermaid's tear stone Golden flower Ancient Greek vase Golden oil lamp Ceremonial dagger Crown jewels Antique compass Dragon-shaped staff Although there is a lot of gold coins and jewels also seen on the ship, the trio are mainly after the eight treasures. "Pieces of eight" is the nickname for Spanish dollar coins during the Age of Discovery. This "feud" reflects the competition between European colonial powers during the Age of Discovery in the pursuit of "gold and glory", which are some of the major driving forces for exploration and colonisation (imperialism): to gain material wealth and increase their power and reputation. Creatures such as octopuses have been used by political cartoons as a symbol of imperialism that extends its grip over ot...

Oriental Legacy , acrylic on canvas, 2025. 24" X 24" The artist combines his love for animals and Eastern culture to produce this painting that depicts the Four Symbols of the Chinese constellations grouped with their respective Chinese Zodiac signs. North - Black Tortoise - Pig, Rat and Ox East - Green Dragon - Tiger, Rabbit and Dragon South - Red Phoenix - Snake, Horse and Goat West - White Tiger - Monkey, Rooster and Dog The Four Symbols also represent four virtues: Black Tortoise - Stability, restraint, longevity Green Dragon - Life and imperial power  Red Phoenix - Happiness and bliss White Tiger - Power, fortune, marriage Given their divine status, the Four Symbols are said to be capable of shifting into various aspects of life, including the four seasons, protectors of Taoist temples and aspects of Feng Shui. The I Ching (易經), also known as the Book of Changes, traces the roots of the Four Symbols back to the beginnings of the world, and alleges that...

Twelve-In-One , acrylic on canvas, 2024. 20" X 20" The painting is a concept of a dragon having all the attributes of the other 11 creatures of the Chinese zodiac. The initials of the zodiac animals are seen around it. Rat: ears Ox: horns Tiger: striped fur on head and whiskers Rabbit: hind legs Snake: body Horse: mane Goat: beard Monkey: face and eyes Rooster: head comb, claws and tail feathers Dog: snout Pig: front legs The artist intends to show that the dragon is the most powerful sign of the Chinese zodiac by having the combined aspects displayed on the dragon.

  Lucky Streak , acrylic on canvas, 2024. 20" X 20" The artist welcomes the Year of the Dragon with this painting depicting four young dragons playing a game of mahjong . The black dragon appears to have achieved a winning deck by drawing a 發財 " fa cai " (green dragon) tile, much to the shock of the white dragon sitting in its opposite direction, probably during a lucky streak. It implies a popular case of 食糊 (" sik wu ": winning off another player's discard), where the white dragon may have discarded the " fa cai " tile before it was drawn by the black dragon. The deck shown on the black dragon's side is shown to be "All in Triplets", where in the Hong Kong mahjong scoring rules, the player gets mostly combinations of 3 or 4 identical tile sets (碰 pung for 3 tiles, 杠 kong for 4). The dragons' winnings are shown as gold coins stored in money pots. The artist intended for the black dragon to achieve the winning deck as the bl...

  Draconic Harmony , acrylic on canvas, 2024. 20" X 30" The artist welcomes the Year of the Dragon with this painting depicting Eastern and Western dragons gathering harmoniously. Asian mythology portrays Eastern dragons as auspicious, benevolent protectors, while western dragons are usually perceived as negative and destructive (although western dragons have more recently emerged as misunderstood beasts). Dragons inhabit the unconscious realms of both East and West. They had unique origins, diverse features, but much in common: claws and scales, strength of will, as well as a preference for riches and fortune. The inclusion of both dragon types suggest the complementing energies of Yin and Yang, as well as bridging the gap between East and West with harmony. The bottle gourd (also known as calabash or 葫蘆瓜/Wu Lou Gua) represents good health, prosperity, long life, wealth and abundance in Chinese culture. It is also called the “gourd of longevity" and is believed...

  Children of the Dragon , acrylic on canvas, 2024. 20" X 20" The artist welcomes the Year of the Dragon with a painting that depicts two mythological creatures which combine the aspects of the dragon with other animals. The qilin is sometimes referred to as the dragon horse. It is a fabulous creature of good omen, prosperity, success, longevity and enchantment. The qilin 's presence is said to attract the powerful cosmic breath of the dragon, thereby bringing good luck. It is also the symbol of the first rank military official. The  qilin  embodies all five elements and is often associated with the element of fire. The dragon tortoise combines the awesome powers and attributes of the dragon and the tortoise, two spiritually-endowed creatures in Chinese symbolism. While the tortoise symbolizes longevity, the dragon represents success, courage and determination. The dragon tortoise also signifies wealth when paired with gold coins or ingots. This mythical creature is ...

  Celestial Progenitor , acrylic on canvas, 2024. 30" X 20" The artist welcomes the Year of the Dragon with this painting which depicts a golden dragon mastering the basic elements. A golden dragon represents abundance and prosperity. It is considered a guardian of the element earth, the center, heaven and the sun. The four orbs surrounding the dragon in the painting represent the elements of water, fire, metal and wood, which integrate the ever-changing cycles of the seasons. The red spider lily flowers in the top right are associated with abundance, prosperity, and good fortune. In Chinese culture, they are popular in Feng Shui for their ability to attract positive energy and wealth. Moreover, spider lilies are considered to be a symbol of renewal and rebirth, making them popular during the spring season.

  Nine Dragons: Celestial Prowess , acrylic on canvas, 2023. 20" X 20" The artist welcomes the Year of the Dragon with this painting which depicts nine dragons facing an orb of fire.  The painting is loosely based on another painting of nine dragons , which was designed such that there is a central dragon at the center `blowing' Qi. The dragon at the center approaches the flaming orb, and the dragons to the right and left twist towards the center, with each exhibiting different gestures. The dragon captures the essence of the sun and the moon, and the number nine represents the endless positive energy of heaven and earth. The artist includes background elements like clouds, waves, fire and cliffs, with the intent to include the five elements (earth, fire, water, wood, metal) aspect into the painting.  earth - cliffs fire - flaming orb water - waves wood - green color metal - gold color

  Azure Advent , acrylic on canvas, 2023. 24" X 18" The artist welcomes the Year of the Dragon with this painting depicting an azure dragon in the clouds.  The Azure/Green Dragon (Chinese: 青龍 qīng lóng), also known as Qinglong in Chinese, is one of the Dragon Gods who represent the mount or earthly forces of the Five Regions' Highest Deities (五方上帝 wǔ fāng shàng dì). The Dragon Gods in Chinese mythology are powerful weather and water deities, and are often seen as guardians of different regions, with the Azure Dragon associated with the East China Sea. The Azure Dragon represents the east and the spring season. Sometimes, it is believed to be the ancestor of all dragons worldwide. The 2024 Color of the Year in Feng Shui is sapphire blue, which not only brings its inherent qualities of serenity and wisdom but also aligns harmoniously with the energy of the year of the Wood Dragon. The element of Wood in Feng Shui is characterized by growth, vitality, and flex...

  Nine Dragons: Wealth and Prosperity , acrylic on canvas, 2023. 60" X 36" The artist welcomes the Year of the Dragon with this painting which depicts nine golden dragons and an abundance of wealth in the form of gold coins, gold sycees and red pearls. The painting seems to be inspired by the Nine Dragons painting by Chinese artist Chen Rong from 1244 (during the Song Dynasty). In Feng Shui philosophy, the dragon symbolizes prosperity and abundance. In Chinese culture, nine is the sacred number of the emperor. It was believed that the dragon king could change into nine dragon forms. The dragon in the center is supposed to represent the emperor (based on its pose), as traditionally, royal dragons have five toes or claws. The other eight dragons have four toes, and four-toed dragons are considered common and not part of the nobility. This conveys a message that wealth can be enjoyed, no matter the status, and that all classes can get along with each other in times of celebratio...

  Shrine of Harmony , acrylic on canvas, 2023. 24" X 16" The twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac symbolize the earthly branches. In order, they are the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Each of the twelve Chinese zodiac signs has a unique character that differentiates them from one another. Every individual is different to every other individual, as they attach themselves to factors (like race, religion, hobbies, etc.) which make these individuals appear similar although these things are shallow. Although some of the signs are conflicting with others (e.g. rat and horse, ox and goat, etc.) and may struggle to feel in sync with each other, building mutual respect and tolerance as well as accepting and appreciating differences in each other are vital for stability. Despite said differences, everyone is equal in their basic wish for peace and happiness. The painting is inspired by visits to Thean Hou Temple in ...

  Prosperous Abundance , acrylic on canvas, 2022. 18" X 24" An ancient Chinese tale tells of a huge school of Koi fish swimming upstream the Yellow River in China. Gaining strength by fighting against the current, the school swam through the river until they reached a waterfall at the end of the river. Many of the fish turned back, but the remaining Koi continued swimming against the waterfall and attempted to reach the top of the waterfall by leaping all the way. After a hundred years of jumping, one Koi finally reached the top of the waterfall, where it was noticed by the gods at the Dragon Gate for its perseverance and determination and they turned it into a golden dragon, the image of power and strength. According to Feng Shui, fish represents wealth and prosperity because the actual word in Chinese for fish (魚 yú) also translates to “abundance” (裕 yù).  Because of the dragon legend, Koi fish are known as symbols of strength and perseverance, as seen in their determin...

 FANTASTIC BESTIARY "Monsters are tragic beings. They are born too tall, too strong, too heavy. They are not evil by choice. That is their tragedy. They do not attack people because they want to, but because of their size and strength, mankind has no other choice but to defend himself. After several stories such as this, people end up having a kind of affection for the monsters. They end up caring about them." — Ishir⁠ō Honda Minotaur Half Man, Half Bull , acrylic on canvas, 2021 The word minotaur derives from the Ancient Greek Minotauros , a compound of the name Minos and the noun tauros  "bull", translated as "(the) Bull of Minos". This monster had the head and tail of a bull and the body of a man or, as described by Roman poet Ovid, a being "part man and part bull". He dwelt at the center of the Labyrinth, which was an elaborate maze-like construction designed by the architect Daedalus and his son Icarus, on the command of King Minos of Crete....

Nobleman's Greatest Wish, acrylic on canvas, 2020. 24" x 18" The Dragon in the painting is a powerful symbol for noblemen, and its azure color complements the yellow background which is often regarded as a royal color. Near the dragon is a large ball of fire, which is shaped like an egg representing something which is full of secrets inside. The dragon is surrounded by peaches, a symbol of longevity.

  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.

These creatures actually do not exist, but they have fascinated many people for generations. Fantasy creatures have made their mark in various cultures around the world, influencing our lives and interests in various ways. Dragon Water Dragon, acrylic on art block, 2017 Dragons have captivated our imagination since ancient times, and they come in various shapes and sizes. In most cultures, dragons are said to be symbols of power and having control over natural elements. Many early depictions of dragons portray them as snake-like creatures. Sea serpents like the one in the painting are commonly associated with dragons. Phoenix Golden Phoenix, acrylic on art block, 2017 The phoenix, or "feng huang" in Chinese, is a popular avian symbol in Eastern mythology. It is said to be the ruler of all birds and its body parts are said to represent celestial objects and natural phenomena: the head is the sky; the eyes are the sun; the back is the moon; the wings are the winds; the feet are...