01/02/2026

ON SUNDAY February 1, 2026 theSunday Special V

A T this point, our 4.54-billion year-old Earth is in dire need of help. We have done almost everything that we possibly could to ruin it. The forests are scarce, the Arctic is melting, the animals are gone and we are basically consuming microplastics without even knowing it. This is the hard reality of our own doing that we have to face. Of course, there are younger generations, like Greta Thunberg, ZKR DUH ¿JKWLQJ IRU XUJHQW EROG DFWLRQ RQ the climate crisis, demanding that world leaders listen to the science and imple ment policies to limit global warming. But on a smaller scale, what can we do as members of society? Christine Das, a Penang-born art ist, knows exactly her role in protecting the world. She is a Malaysian wildlife FRQVHUYDWLRQ DUWLVW DQG SURXGO\ WKH ¿UVW Malaysian accepted into the global collec tive of Artists for Wildlife Conservation. She also founded BHU-ME, where art meets conservation workshops and is a TEDx speaker. “Being a big admirer of the natural world, Mother Earth has become both my teacher and muse. Through close observation, I’ve fallen in love with her colours. Interestingly, I have recently been producing works using grey and black tones of graphite and charcoal without vibrant colours,” she said. Christine believes that using her artistic gift as a voice for our home, planet Earth, is her calling. Today, almost every living being and habitat faces rapid decline and destruction, all in the name of progress and greed. This is more than an environ mental crisis; it is a spiritual one. “People have become disconnected from nature and forgotten that we depend on it to survive. Before our very eyes, we are losing precious species such as the Malayan tiger, a victim of weak political will. As one of the most biodiverse nations in the world, Malaysia is being plundered ZKLOH FRQVHUYDWLRQ H̆ RUWV DQG HGXFDWLRQ remain lacking. “Through art and storytelling, I hope to help reconnect people with nature,” Christine explained.

After meeting the late Dr Jane Goodall in 2024, she encouraged me to continue inspiring young people through art and storytelling.”

DV WKHLU WUDGLWLRQV DQG ZD\ RI OLIH UHÀHFW true sustainability. She hopes to explore it in her future works. Support in the local art scene “The Malaysian art scene feels lively and full of potential, though it could be more inclusive and supportive of diverse voices, and make funding and support for artists easily available and accessible. Despite this, I’m very grateful for the positive response my art has received internationally. It has a lot to do with the conservation message behind it, with part of the sales donated towards forest tree seedlings in key elephant corridors in Sabah. A renowned Hollywood director and his wife acquired my works in support of my Malaysian elephant cause. I hope to continue advocating for wildlife through more international opportunities,” she added. Christine’s artworks also reflect strength and femininity through motifs and subjects such as elephants, which are known for being matriarchal, nurturing and powerful. Even Mother Earth herself is the ultimate symbol of femininity. She gives life, sustains it and endures with quiet resilience. Perhaps that is why Christine feels such a deep and natural connection with her. “One artwork that is so deeply personal to me is titled In Him, With Him, Through Him . It is a commissioned work depicting an abused, wounded elephant carry LQJ WKH FUXFL¿HG ERG\ RI -HVXV ZLWKLQ D cross-shaped canvas. As a Catholic, I see WKH VX̆ HULQJ RI -HVXV PLUURUHG LQ WKH VXI fering of animals. Creating this piece was deeply spiritual, emotional and healing,” Christine shared. Christine feels that her artistic journey KDV EHHQ IXO¿OOLQJ SRVVLEO\ EHFDXVH RI WKH road less travelled that she has taken. Even when funding remains a challenge, as it limits the scale of art shows and public advocacy events she wishes to organise, she will continue to create and move forward with purpose, using what she has. “While I continue to create art and plan for my next solo exhibition, I’m also focused on expanding BHU-ME. These wildlife educational workshops will hope fully bridge a gap in Malaysian education where art and conservation are often undervalued, though both are vital today. $IWHU PHHWLQJ WKH ODWH 'U -DQH *RRGDOO in 2024, she personally encouraged me to keep inspiring young people through art and storytelling. I now see education as the best way to drive real change. This is my excitement. My goal is to extend my advocacy from canvas to community, nurturing awareness, empathy and action for nature,” Christine said, looking ahead towards the future.

Art speaking for nature BY HANNEF ESQUANDER

Wildlife and ecosystems inspire much of Christine’s work.

The artist refers to herself as a happy creator and finds it hard to make art when she is angry or sad. Being a wildlife

C üľÿłŊÿěãϰÿłϰŊüãϰżľłŊϰ Malaysian accepted into the global collective of Artists for Wildlife Conservation. artist means con stantly confronting stories of cruelty and destruction, which makes emotional balance a challenge. Over time, Christine has learned to express positivity despite the pain, often through satire or by turning horror into beauty. Art should bring hope and visual comfort. While the contemporary world may frown on ‘pretty’ art, the world is already filled with ugliness, so her art becomes an offering of beauty and joy as a reminder that the world still needs both.

“My inspiration doesn’t come from Malaysia’s cultural diversity but from its natural one. Malaysia is one of the world’s megadiverse countries, with many endemic species. Nature’s intelligence and perfect harmony in diversity are what excite me the most and I revere it. This gives my art a unique signature style. Its XQLYHUVDO QHXWUDO TXDOLW\ ¿WV DQ\ HQYLURQ ment and culture,” she said. She sometimes infuses Tamil or San skrit words into her titles. She is proud that these ancient languages form a large part of our national language. It is a subtle nod to her Malaysian Indian roots. Chris tine also deeply admires the Indigenous peoples’ strong spiritual bond with nature,