Sarawak artist Bong unleashes 20-metre Borneo’s jungle masterpiece in Taiwan exhibition

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By Karen Bong

KUCHING, July 1: A sweeping 20-metre-long watercolour masterpiece by Sarawak artist Bong Shin Siong, depicting 128 species of Borneo’s native flora and fauna in extraordinary detail, is now on international display in Taiwan, standing as both a monumental artistic achievement and a powerful expression of Sarawak’s pride and biodiversity on the global stage.

Exhibited at the Asia University Museum of Modern Art in Taichung for the “Tanahair – Navigating Asianness” showcase from June 30 to Nov 1, 2026, the work titled Flora and Fauna of Borneo II unfolds as an immersive ecological narrative of rainforest life—featuring birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects, orchids, fungi and rare plant species, all meticulously rendered in watercolour over nearly a year of work.

What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that this 20-metre composition is not Bong’s first large-scale environmental scroll. It follows his earlier 10-metre-long single-scroll painting featuring 132 species of birds, flora, insects and animals, which was unveiled and displayed at Hoan Gallery on March 23, 2024. That earlier work marked his first major large-scale ecological composition before he pushed his artistic ambition even further.

From 10 metres to 20 metres, now moving to 30 metres

Bong’s artistic journey has been defined by an expanding scale and ambition.

“The original plan was to create a 10-metre painting. However, as I continued researching Borneo’s biodiversity, I discovered many more remarkable species that deserved to be documented,” he shared during a Zoom interview on Tuesday (June 30).

That process of discovery eventually stretched the work into a 20-metre composition and even beyond it in his practice.

“In fact, I have already started to work on my next 30-metre painting,” he revealed, signalling an ongoing commitment to documenting Borneo’s ecosystems in ever-greater depth.

“I hope to portray more forest-dwelling wildlife, including a wider variety of reptiles, terrestrial animals, and more of Borneo’s unique plant species, so that the ecosystem can be represented more comprehensively. My goal is not simply to create a large painting, but to document Borneo’s natural heritage through art.”

A first full viewing in a museum setting

For Bong, the Taiwan exhibition also marked a deeply personal milestone: the first time he saw the full 20-metre work properly installed and visible in its entirety.

“This exhibition also marks the first public presentation of my 20-metre-long watercolour painting, as I simply do not have enough space at home to view it as a complete work. When I saw it installed at the museum yesterday (June 30), it was an unforgettable experience,” he said.

He added that sharing the moment with friends back home and abroad made it even more meaningful. “Their response was simply, ‘Wow, it’s spectacular’.”

Bong also expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity and the network of supporters who helped bring his work to Taiwan.

“First of all, I would like to thank Hoan Kee Huang of Hoan Gallery for introducing me to this opportunity. I would also like to thank Cai Mingjun, the curator Professor Chen Xuan, our teacher Cai Junxiang, andWu Zhensheng. Their support has provided me with a valuable platform to continue developing my work.”

A living archive of Borneo’s biodiversity

Beyond its scale, the artwork serves as a detailed visual archive of Borneo’s biodiversity, carefully composed to allow viewers to explore an interconnected ecosystem.

The painting features 128 species of Borneo’s native biodiversity, including birds, mammals, amphibians, insects, orchids, fungi and rare plants.

“It features the flora and fauna of Borneo, including native plants, wildlife, birds, orchids, fungi, and many rare species. The painting is educational as well. Viewers can discover many local species while learning about the remarkable biodiversity that exists in Sarawak,” he said.

Bong’s inspiration is deeply personal, shaped by a lifelong connection to nature and early exposure to orchids and wildlife photography.

“My father loved orchids and grew many of them at home, so I grew up surrounded by orchids. Then through my friends who are wildlife photographers, I was introduced to many of Borneo’s unique animals and plants, which later became subjects in my paintings.”

Art as a call for conservation

Beyond aesthetics, the work functions as a visual archive of an ecosystem under pressure from environmental change.

“I realised that 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,” Bong said.

Among the highlighted species are the Peacock Pheasant, Helmeted Hornbill, gibbons, and the rare orchid Anoectochilus roxburghii, also known as the “golden orchid”.

“I included the Helmeted Hornbill, whose solid casque was once highly prized for decorative carvings,” he noted. “Because of hunting and deforestation, its population has declined significantly.”

Through the exhibition, Bong hopes international audiences will discover the incredible beauty of Borneo’s flora and fauna and more importantly, raise 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.”

From passion, not profession

Beyond its subject matter, the composition itself reflects both technical discipline and artistic philosophy.

“The greatest challenge is not finding the subjects, it is composing them into a balanced and harmonious artwork,” Bong said.

Drawing inspiration from traditional Chinese painting techniques, he carefully arranges elements so that visual relationships flow across the entire 20-metre span.

“I carefully arranged birds, plants, butterflies, and animals so that they relate visually across the entire composition.”

Despite the scale and complexity of the work, Bong described painting as a deeply personal passion rather than a professional burden.

“For me, painting is something I genuinely enjoy. The biggest challenge was simply completing such a large piece. It required patience, consistency, and perseverance over a long period of time.”

A vision to bring the works home

Looking ahead, Bong hopes to eventually bring his monumental works back to Sarawak for public exhibition.

“Yes, that is something I hope to do,” he said of exhibiting in Sarawak. “I would like to exhibit these works in my hometown. Hopefully, both the 20-metre and the future 30-metre paintings can be exhibited in Kuching within the next few years.”

He also expressed gratitude to those who supported his journey from Lundu to the international stage.

“I would also like to thank my hometown of Lundu… and the Lundu Chinese Association for their unwavering support. Their encouragement gave me the confidence to continue pursuing my artistic path.”

A bridge between Sarawak and the world

For Bong, the Taiwan exhibition is more than personal recognition, it is cultural storytelling.

“This exhibition represents an important opportunity for international cultural exchange. Through art, I hope audiences in Taiwan and around the world will discover Borneo, learn more about Sarawak, and appreciate Malaysia’s rich natural heritage,” he said.

As Flora and Fauna of Borneo II continues its display in Taichung, the 20-metre scroll stands as both artwork and testimony—a continuous line of colour and detail carrying Sarawak’s biodiversity into an international conversation about nature, memory and conservation. An expansive visual love letter to Borneo’s living world, it also serves as a quiet but powerful reminder that its beauty is as fragile as it is extraordinary. — DayakDaily

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