Darussalam
‘Darussalam’ is an Arabic word that means ‘abode of peace’.
This series portrays life and the diverse flora and fauna found in Brunei.
Ultimately it is about finding beauty in the everyday.
ORIGINAL ART PRINTS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE
Details of Art Prints:
Size of artwork: 31cm x 44cm
Size with mount & frame: 44cm x 57cm
Each print is limited to 20 editions only and are hand numbered, signed,
and printed on Premium Smooth Matte 210gsm Photo Paper.
Each print comes with an authenticity card.
BND $200
Please Note:
All artworks come professionally framed and mounted.
As they are made to order, please allow up to 5 business days for preparation.
No international shipping available—orders are only available for customers within Brunei.
No delivery - artwork must be picked up at a designated location in BSB.
Please contact me directly at 7180087 to purchase.
This series portrays life and the diverse flora and fauna found in Brunei.
Ultimately it is about finding beauty in the everyday.
ORIGINAL ART PRINTS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE
Details of Art Prints:
Size of artwork: 31cm x 44cm
Size with mount & frame: 44cm x 57cm
Each print is limited to 20 editions only and are hand numbered, signed,
and printed on Premium Smooth Matte 210gsm Photo Paper.
Each print comes with an authenticity card.
BND $200
Please Note:
All artworks come professionally framed and mounted.
As they are made to order, please allow up to 5 business days for preparation.
No international shipping available—orders are only available for customers within Brunei.
No delivery - artwork must be picked up at a designated location in BSB.
Please contact me directly at 7180087 to purchase.
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1. "Supermoon at the Mangroves" Digital Illustration 2020 On May 7th, we saw the last Supermoon of 2020. The animals found in the Brunei mangroves such as the Irrawaddy Dolphin & Crocodile come out to play under its bright light. With Covid19 having a constant presence in our daily lives, we see a shift in the balance of human and nature. As humans practice social distancing and staying at home, nature becomes more prevalent and both flora and fauna are given a chance to thrive. This piece won first prize in the 'Human & Nature Balance' category for The New Normal Virtual Art Exhibition "The COVID Experience" organized by Kaleidoscope Studios & The US Embassy, Brunei. |
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2. "Kampong Darussalam" (SOLD OUT) (Abode of Peace Village) Digital Illustration 2020 This piece depicts a traditional Malay 'kampong' house. Its facade inspired by the colours and patterns of the old palace 'Istana Darussalam' - the birthplace of our Sultan. A biawak (monitor lizard) strolls along the pathway. Confident with its predator status and enjoying the slow paced life of Brunei. A cat lurks behind the leafy mounds, watching it closely. After all, it devours the village kittens and chicks - an easy meal. The warm sun nourishes everything within its reach, plants grow high and flowers bloom providing shelter and food for its many inhabitants. Inspired by prosaic scenes of daily life, but reality portrays the beauty and poetry in Creation. |
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3. “Padian” (SOLD OUT) Digital Illustration 2020 Padians were Bruneian women from the water village who used to trade and sell a variety of foods and products on their boats. They would generally carry daily necessities and in demand items from the main land that weren't readily available to the people who lived in the water village. Padians are virtually non-existent now due to modernisation. They wore large hats called “Siraung” made of straw, and some had different patterns and designs on it. The hats were quite specific to Brunei because they were much larger in size in comparison to other floating market traders around the world. It makes sense because Brunei can get extremely hot especially during the midday sun as we have tropical weather all year round. This Padian is selling local fruits such as bananas, rambutans, kembayau & pidada (mangrove apples). Her boat is decorated with Tenunan & Ayer Muleh Patterns. Bright and happy looking Simpor flowers adorn her boat. The Bunga Putar tenunan patterns float along the serene Brunei River. |
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4. “The Banana Tree” (SOLD OUT) Digital Illustration 2021 This fruiting banana tree is surrounded by local birds such as the Oriental Pied Hornbill perched on its leaf along with two Black & Yellow Broadbills. An Egret stands in the background and a Blue Collared Kingfisher swings on a hanging vine. A Rhinoceros Hornbill flies overhead overlooking the warm and peaceful day. |
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5. "Kampong Aidilfitri"
Digital Illustration 2021 The new moon surrounded by bright stars reflects the beginning of Syawal. There are fireworks in the shape of the “bunga Putar”. Hari Raya Aidilfitri is one of the biggest celebrations in Brunei as after a month of fasting during Ramadhan, we celebrate the first day by visiting our close family and asking for forgiveness. This piece depicts three different houses which represent the three types of houses built during the 1960s, 1990s and 2020s as reflected in the simpangs. Thirty years apart and spanning three different generations. In Brunei, most of us are lucky to live near our family, some of us lucky enough to live within the same ‘kampong’ or village. The village mosque calls out the “Takbir Raya” and prayers echo throughout the village. May we have a peaceful and blessed Aidilfitri. |
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6. "Pantai Muara" (SOLD OUT)
Digital Illustration 2021 One of the most beautiful sights in Brunei is our sunsets. The sky explodes into a rainbow of colours as the sun starts its descent. A family of pilot whales swim in the distance. I remembered a story in the news last year where some locals saved a beached baby pilot whale by pushing it back into the waters, and it swam back into the ocean. Schools of fish and Hawksbill sea turtles swim in harmony. The wind blows a cool breeze as the ocean water flows creating waves and ripples of bubbles and sea foam. Two children happily play surrounded by shells, unassuming hermit crabs and sand bubbler crabs who have decorated the shore with sand bubble patterns. The beach morning glory plant creeps alongside - many of its purple flowers in full bloom. |
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7. “Kampong Ayer" (SOLD OUT)
Digital Illustration 2021 Kampong Ayer (or the "water village") is a historical settlement of houses built on stilts along the Brunei River. It is home to 25, 000 people and it's houses are colourful and the atmosphere is serene. It's a cloudy and cool day, the wind forms ripples along the water. Mangrove forests line the backdrop of the houses with the new RIPAHS Bridge (named after HRH, the Queen of Brunei) in sight juxtaposing the traditional houses against the modernity of the 21st century. A crocodile lazes on the river banks attracting the attention of many passerby. A newer tourist boat is ready to take passengers for adventurers. Mud crabs, shrimp and spotted fish are found taking shelter in the roots of the Mangroves. Mangroves are known to support rich biodiversity who use the mangroves as nurseries during early life stages. |
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8. “Mangrove Apples"
Digital Illustration 2022 This piece was inspired by one of my trips to the mangroves. I was looking forward to seeing the Proboscis monkeys and was lucky enough to see an entire troop of them. On the journey, we saw some crocodiles, birds and frogs, but an interesting part of the tour which stood out to me was when we were slowly passing by a Mangrove Apple tree - locally known as 'buah pidada'. I was really amazed by its fruit because it had various stages of development and each stage was so interesting, from bud to full bloom. At its final form it looks like an apple emerging from a star. Our tour guide told us that the Proboscis Monkeys feed on the young leaves of this tree. This piece features a mother Proboscis nursing her baby, and its father swinging nearby surrounded by the Mangrove Apple trees. |
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9. “On The Road" (SOLD OUT)
Digital Illustration 2022 Driving on the highway from one end of Brunei to the other takes less than 3 hours. I love being on the road because this is the view that I am accustomed to. Endless greenery and occasionally pops of yellow and orange are formed by a multitude of different flowers and plants such as ferns and the Elephant ear plant. Here I feature some of the most common palm trees found in Brunei. The Coconut palm, Lipstick palm and Travelers palm are nestled amongst the shades of green. The blue skies are vast and our air is clean. Sometimes if we're lucky, we get to see Hornbills flying around too. There are eight different species of Hornbills found in Brunei. A male Wrinkled Hornbill is comfortably perched on a branch watching from above, basking in the warm tropical sun. |
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10. “The Teapot" (SOLD OUT)
Digital Illustration 2022 The giant teapot at the roundabout in Kuala Belait is an iconic sight. It always brings to mind images of relics left behind by an ancient and giant civilization—as if giants are about to have tea in the middle of the jungle. Two Oriental Pied Hornbills take respite on the monument, which symbolizes His Majesty pouring his love into the four districts of Brunei as represented by the four cups. I feature the Mimosa pudica plant. In Malay, we call it the "Bunga Semalu,” which translates to 'shy flower'. It is commonly found creeping on grass beds. As a child, I always found this plant fascinating and fun to play with because the leaves would close up when touched. As adults, we often overlook them as common weeds. I also feature the Simpur flower, Brunei’s national flower, which is a hardy plant that grows in the wild and is beloved for its beautiful and bright yellow flower. What I love most about driving to Kuala Belait is the endless rainforests—quiet and serene, and most importantly, home to many animals. The delicate peaks and mounds formed by an endless rainforest and decorated with tall trees and uninterrupted greenery always bring peace to my mind. |
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11. “Curhat over Ambuyat"
Digital Illustration 2022 Four friends talk over an Ambuyat potluck spread and Teh Tarik. Ambuyat always has the coveted spot in the middle of the table. It’s a dish to share where people are free to help themselves to all the familiar and favorite side dishes that are a concoction of sweet, sour, and salty—the tastes that people crave. Ambuyat is made by cooking ambulang (fine sago powder) with hot water, and there’s an ambiguous technique to making it; someone in the group must have the confidence and skill to do it, and it always requires help as one will be pouring the boiling hot water while the other mixes furiously to generate the perfect consistency and texture. Curhat means to pour your heart out to someone you trust. Sharing is always better with food, and COVID stopped us from experiencing this for almost 3 years. There is just so much that goes on in life with a lot of ups and downs, and talking about it with the right group of friends gives you a sense of perspective and really helps with our mental health. Through the window, there is a garden with ripe Tarap and Sukun fruits. A scene of contentment and fruition. |
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12. “Bapa's Garden"
Digital Illustration 2023 I’ll always cherish the memories of growing up in a big garden surrounded by jungle. My late father planted a lot of plants and fruit trees, and I'll always be thankful that I got to have fresh fruit daily. This piece features the Bornean Sun Bear, the smallest bear species in the world. As an expert climber, the Sun Bear is lazily perched on the tree, enjoying the warm sun and being surrounded by local tropical fruits such as the Soursop, Star Fruit, Tarap, Banana, Breadfruit, Custard Apple, Passion Fruit, and Coconut Trees. A curious squirrel smells the banana heart, and a giant Atlas moth is seen fluttering away. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “𝘐𝘧 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘔𝘶𝘴𝘭𝘪𝘮 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘭 𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘵, 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘧 𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺.”
- (Sahih Bukhari Vol. 8, Book 73, No. 41) |
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13. “Observatory"
Digital Illustration 2023 In the middle of the jungle, tropical plants and wildlife surround this ornate birdcage. This towering structure is not a cage but an observatory. Its windows are wide open, so animals are free to go in and out as they please. It is a place where animals can rest. Inside the cage is a wild pink banana plant called Musa campestris. A Sunda pangolin curls around the cage as its baby clings to her mother's tail. A shy Borneo pygmy elephant, the smallest elephant species in the world, is surrounded by orange, pink, and red Heleconia plants. The full moon and colourful stars light up the sky as the scene is framed by the Bengal Clockvine climbing plant displaying its colourful purple blooms, which give off a sweet scent. The Rhinoceros Hornbill rests atop the cage, observing life down below and the stars above him as Blue-Throated Bee Eaters circle around the dusky pink sky looking for food. |
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14. “Nostalgia Kampong Ayer"
Digital Illustration 2024 This artwork captures a nostalgic scene from Kampong Ayer, a historical water village in Brunei. Kampong Ayer was once the vibrant heart of Brunei, with a rich history spanning many centuries. The colourful houses in this community were raised on stilts on the Brunei River, constructed mainly with wood, bamboo and rattan. Some of the older houses had roofs made of palm leaves. Residents used boats and canoes for transportation and communication. Padians, the entrepreneurial women of the water village, were a common sight as they peddled their boats from door to door selling various goods, resembling mini floating markets. These women embodied the culture of "bekarih bejarih belurih" - bekarih means to have the will to do something, bejarih means to work hard for it and belurih is when you reap the rewards of your efforts. Activities like bike riding, playing congkak, and flying kites were popular pastimes from a simpler time. The dome-shaped jetty which welcome visitors signifies the importance of Islam as the primary religion in the village. |