KUCHING: Sarawakian artist Bong Shin Siong is taking Borneo’s rich biodiversity to the world through art, using a monumental watercolour painting to spotlight the island’s unique wildlife and the urgent need for conservation.
His 20m-long artwork, Flora and Fauna of Borneo II, featuring 128 species of native flora and fauna, is on display at the Tanahair: Navigating Asianness from Malaysia exhibition at the Asia University Museum of Modern Art in Taiwan until Nov 1.
Bong said it took him a year to complete the painting.
“I have loved plants and animals since I was young. Over the years, I learnt a lot from others who share the same interest.
“I also became friends with wildlife photographers, who introduced me to many of Borneo’s unique animals and plants that later became subjects in my paintings.
“Many of these species are losing their natural habitats and are becoming increasingly endangered.
“Through this artwork, I hope more people will appreciate the richness of Borneo’s biodiversity and understand the importance of protecting our natural environment,” he added.
The painting features several rare species, including the peacock pheasant, gibbons and the anoectochilus roxburghii orchid, also known as the golden orchid.
“I also included the helmeted hornbill, whose solid casque was once highly prized for decorative carvings.
“Because of hunting and deforestation, its population has declined significantly.
“By highlighting these species, I hope more people will recognise their importance and understand why conservation is essential,” Bong said.
Besides celebrating Borneo’s biodiversity, he said the artwork also serves as an educational piece, introducing viewers to the island’s native mammals, birds, fungi, orchids and other plant species.
“I hope international audiences will come away with a greater appreciation of Sarawak’s extraordinary biodiversity.
“More importantly, I hope it raises awareness about conservation.
“Through this painting, I want to share the beauty of our forests and inspire people to value and protect the natural heritage we have here,” he said.
Bong said the biggest challenge was weaving the many species into a visually balanced composition.
“My earlier works were influenced by traditional Chinese painting, where elements across the painting often echo one another.
“I applied the same thinking here, carefully arranging birds, plants, butterflies and animals so that they relate visually across the entire composition,” he said.
Bong is now working on an even larger 30m-long painting that will feature more of Borneo’s wildlife and unique plant species.
“My goal is not simply to create a large painting, but to document Borneo’s natural heritage through art,” he said, adding that he hopes both paintings would eventually be exhibited in Kuching.
