KUCHING: A 9.84 metre long artwork titled ‘Flora and Fauna of Borneo’ depicting over 132 species of the island’s natural beauty was unveiled at Hoan Gallery in La Promenade Mall here Saturday (March 23).
A special preview of Bong Shin Siong’s watercolour artwork was organised for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
‘Flora and Fauna of Borneo’ was painted by Lundu-based Bong, 58, who took the whole of last year to complete the work.
The painting boasts species like the pen tailed treeshrew, file-eared tree frog and also plants such as bamboo fungus and the rafflesia.
Hoan Gallery director, Hoan Kee Huang praised Bong calling him a ‘true artist’.
“He paints from a lifetime of experience admiring nature. He paints for himself. Outside of artists’ circles, Bong is not well known, but that is only because he does not chase fame.
“His art is amazing and speaks fully of his enormous talent. ‘Flora and Fauna of Borneo’ could be one of the most important works ever completed in Sarawak and of Sarawak,” he said.
Hoan said that Bong’s 9.84 metre long artwork could be one of the region’s most outstanding showcasing the natural beauty of Borneo.
“This piece deserves to be in a museum. As artists, it is our dream for Sarawak to have an art gallery and for it to contain treasures like the ‘Flora and Fauna of Borneo’,” Hoan said.
Abdul Karim who went on a walkabout at the gallery, admiring paintings and the display of artworks.
Hoan accompanied Abdul Karim to view a solo show, “Hidden Gems: The Life Works of Chong Liew Syn” which closes this weekend after a 10-week run at Hoan Gallery.
