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...

  Testudine Tranquility , acrylic on canvas, 2022. 24" X 30" There are about 250 species of turtles and tortoises, which are distributed in most warm parts of the world. They are easily recognized by the hard, rounded shell that protects the main part of its body. Land tortoises thrive in a wide range of habitats including deserts, woodlands and mountains. Pond turtles and terrapins live mostly in rivers and ponds, where they become strong swimmers. The Galapagos tortoise ( Chelonoidis niger ) is the largest reptile in the Galapagos islands, a chain of islands in the Pacific Ocean close to the country of Ecuador in South America. The tortoises living on each of the islands vary in shell shape which suit their lifestyles on their respective islands. The dome-shelled variety (pictured) is more well-equipped for the islands with more even ground, while the saddle-backed variety had a flatter shell which enables them to survive in the dry lowlands. The dome-shelled tortoises gene...

Legion of Lizards , acrylic on canvas, 2022. 30" X 24" Lizards are the largest group of reptiles, numbering more than 3700 species. They are most common in tropical zones across the world except the far north and Antarctica. The Komodo dragon ( Varanus komodoensis , center bottom) is the world's largest lizard and is native to several small islands in Indonesia, including the island of Komodo where it got its name. It is a carnivore that hunts large herbivorous mammals such as wild pigs and deer, where it uses its primary weapon, a bite which employs toxic proteins, to subdue its prey. Growing up to 3 meters long and weighing more than 150 kg, the Komodo dragon is the national animal of Indonesia. Juvenile Komodo dragons (one below the adult in the painting, another hiding in a hole on the tree) are greenish with yellow and black bands but become solid gray to reddish-brown as they age. Young dragons will sometimes hide in trees until they are about eight months old to av...

Serpentine Sensation , acrylic on canvas, 2022. 20" X 30" Snakes have no legs, yet they could move at high speeds on the ground, climb trees with ease, swim well and a few even glide in the air. There are almost 2400 species of snake, and all of them are predators. Some snakes carry venom while others, especially the larger ones, do not. The reticulated python ( Malayopython reticulatus ) is a massive snake commonly found in India and Southeast Asia. It is the world's longest snake, reaching up to 10 meters from nose to tail, but is also the third heaviest behind the green anaconda and the Burmese python. It is named for the complex geometric pattern on its skin, which enables the snake to blend into its surroundings in order to protect it from predators and helps it catch its prey. Like all large snakes, the python does not carry venom and attacks its prey by coiling. The emerald tree boa ( Corallus caninus , top) has a bright green body that provides excellent camouflag...

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...

  Scaly Success Story , acrylic on canvas, 2021. 24" X 18" Reptiles are animals which have dry, scaly skin and lay their eggs on dry land. They were considered as one of the animal kingdom's greatest success stories as they had evolved to adapt to extreme climates and conditions. There are about 6,560 species of reptile, which are divided into main groups including crocodilians, lizards, snakes and chelonians (turtles and tortoises). Saltwater Crocodile 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. Reticulated Python The reticulated python ( Malayopython reticulatus ) is a massive snake commonl...

 UNUSUAL YET UNIQUE Among the freaks of nature came those that look ordinary to others. Although they may look like their close relatives, they also sport unusual features that make them stand out from the rest of their kin. These adaptations are the products of their evolution in order to survive and thrive in their changing environment. Unusual Yet Unique , acrylic on canvas, 2021. Set of 9, each piece 8" X 8"  Aardvark Aardvark Eating Ants , acrylic on canvas, 2021. The aardvark ( Orycteropus afer ) is a nocturnal burrowing mammal that lives in sub-Saharan Africa. Its closest living relative is the elephant. Its name comes from the Afrikaans word for "earth pig". The aardvark has an elongated head and small mouth, typical for an animal that feeds on ants and termites. It slurps up its prey using its long tongue that measures 30 centimeters long. Lungfish Aqua Lungs , acrylic on canvas, 2021. Lungfish are a group of fish that are able to live out of water and brea...

  MAJESTIC MENAGERIE V A menagerie can be defined as a collection of exotic and unique animals, and the term also refers to a precursor to modern zoos which also showcases exotic animals. In the 18th century, the term menagerie is used for animal collections by aristocrats or royals who seek to display their power and wealth because exotic animals are quite difficult to acquire and harder to maintain. The natural world, however, had a vast collection of diverse life which can be considered unique in their own ways. Majestic Menagerie Vol. 5 , acrylic on canvas, 2021. Set of 9, each piece 8" X 8"  Elephant Savanna Strongman , acrylic on canvas, 2021. There are two kinds of elephants today: the African elephant (pictured) and the Asian elephant. There are more than ten physical characteristics that differentiate Asian and African elephants, and the most important difference is that African elephants have larger ears than their Asian counterparts. Both male and female Africa...