On 23 January 2026, I attended a batik painting session at the High Commission of Malaysia in Brunei Darussalam. The event focused on cultural exchange, emphasising participation over performance. Observing a father quietly supporting his daughter, I appreciated the simplicity and significance of the experience, highlighting the value of heritage and shared creativity.
Tag: Art
Kuching—A Sound Carried by Time
Published: February 1, 2026 Before us, the Sarawak River unfurls—an artery of life carrying livelihoods across generations, its untold stories settling quietly into silt and time. Across the river, the gigantic Sarawak flag stretches in splendour: yellow grounding its form, red and black striping the bendera, and a nine-pointed star at the centre, bearing the… Continue reading Kuching—A Sound Carried by Time
夜晚的被子 The Night Blanket
Published: December 12, 2025 雷鸣电闪，大雨滂沱。我静静地蜷缩在被窝里，不敢探出头来。娇小的身躯，也藏着小小的胆量。 哥哥忽然兴奋地喊：“哇，天空好亮啊！妹仔，快来——快来看！”他那轻快的声音，像是发现了宝藏。 停电后的屋子黑漆漆，唯有闪电一闪一闪，照亮哥哥的脸。一双精灵般的眼睛也在发光，像两颗挂在天上的星星。 我轻轻从被窝爬出来，慢慢挪到门窗前，小心翼翼地掀开窗帘，留出一条小小的缝隙——那，是我通往世界的窗口。 轰隆——轰隆——雷声又响起。灰紫的天空亮了几下，哇，真的好震撼！“哥，你看！天空一闪一闪，露出了白天！夜晚是不是一张又大又沉的被子，只是暂时把白天盖着？因为白天也需要在晚上睡觉呀？” 哥哥笑出了声，“别傻了，夜晚是夜晚，白天是白天。”他缓缓抬起双手，借着闪电的光，让手指在光影中舞动——仿佛那光线，是他掌中的宝剑。 轰隆——轰隆——雷声更近了。我吓得又钻进被窝，只留下哥哥一个人，在窗前，目不转睛地扮演他的武侠英雄。 我默默地在心里祈祷：夜晚啊，夜晚——你快点掀开那黑漆漆的被子！白天啊，白天——你快点醒来吧还我一个清爽、温柔的早晨！ Thunder cracks, lightning flares, the sky opens up.Timidly, I curl up beneath the quilt,afraid to poke my head out.In this small body of mine,hides a mere measure of courage.Suddenly, Brother cries out, thrilled:“Wow, the sky is so bright!Little sis, come—come look!”His lively voice… Continue reading 夜晚的被子 The Night Blanket
Painting on Threads of Meaning: My Encounter with the Tais of Timor-Leste
Published: November 12, 2025 A Meeting of Threads — How It Began On 18 December 2023, a talk titled “The Role of Art and Culture in Fostering Social Cohesion” was successfully held through close collaboration between the Embassy of the Republic of Timor-Leste in Brunei Darussalam and Huifong’s Art Gallery. Art and culture enthusiast, and… Continue reading Painting on Threads of Meaning: My Encounter with the Tais of Timor-Leste
When Art Enters the Academy: A Milestone for The Garden Rhapsodies
Published: October 20, 2025In a meaningful intersection of art and academia, The Garden Rhapsodies — the acclaimed book by artist and author Huifong Ng — has achieved a significant milestone: its first academic citation. The work is referenced in the paper “MODELLING SAFETY BEHAVIOUR PREDICTORS AMONG ENGINEERING STUDENTS IN BRUNEI ENTERING THE OIL AND GAS… Continue reading When Art Enters the Academy: A Milestone for The Garden Rhapsodies
3rd Brunei-China Art and Visual Culture Festival Strengthens Ties Through Art
Published: September 27, 2025 The 3rd Brunei-China Art and Visual Culture Festival opened at Baiduri Bank Headquarters on September 27, celebrating the enduring friendship between Brunei and China through art, culture, and shared history. “Art is the most beautiful language of the human soul. It transcends national boundaries, ethnicity and language, touching hearts and inspiring… Continue reading 3rd Brunei-China Art and Visual Culture Festival Strengthens Ties Through Art
雨后的夜 The Night After Rain
Published: August 23, 2025 夜雨倾盆闪电为雷声伴奏西南季风换上凉爽的心情把一周的闷热从地面上大扫除我暗暗欢喜想 今夜能睡个好觉哪知雨一停两只青蛙你一来 我一往呱呱 呱呱凌晨两点半仍毫无倦意漆黑的房把我引进金黄色隧道回到小学的长假外婆家小住与她 和表姐共眠一室雨后的夜外头的青蛙也在“呱呱”唱我睡不着试图和表姐聊天把熟睡的外婆吵醒我抱怨青蛙太吵她用潮州话轻轻劝：“可嗯，麦观伊。”（睡吧，别理它）她的声音软得像被雨水打湿的棉花我闭上眼睛开始数绵羊不知何时 青蛙停了只剩几滴雨从屋檐滴答落下我被拉回现实熟悉的场景无奈的感悟心底涌起一阵苦涩的空虚不同的时空相同的漆黑而今只是少了外婆的叮嘱多了一道跨不过叫时间的沟即便知道换来的是无声我还是抱怨：阿嬷——外面的青蛙太吵。可你再也听不见了。How the night rain pours!Lightning plays accompaniment to thunder.The Southwest Monsoon changes into a cooler mood,sweeping away a week’s worth of heat from the ground.I rejoice in secret —Oh, I shall sleep well tonight.But once the rain stops,two frogs begin taking turn to callcroak, croak, croak,… Continue reading 雨后的夜 The Night After Rain
归来 Coming Home
Published: June 28, 2025 道别时，你还是个粗壮的青年，归来时，却只是一张沧桑的黑白肖像。叫我如何不心痛！我撕心裂肺地呐喊，穿越不了岁月，回不到当初，只能一遍遍哀求：「啊叔啊，莫走啦……」 那天，那个在码头目送你的小女孩，如今已是风烛残年的老太婆。面对你孙仔第一次带回家的照片，我仿佛又站在那天的码头，听见你笑着问我： 「囡仔，欲共啊叔、啊婶做伙下南洋无？」 你望向那从未想象过的地平线，再回头看着这片从未离开过的村庄，轻声说： 「等我赚到钱就回来，予咱大家嘛有饭吃，有好日子过。」 可你那时，还只是一个二十出头的年轻人啊……离乡背井，心肝底嘛是惊的，是无？那微笑背后藏着希望，也藏不住你的不安与惶恐。 这些年来，船来船往，却再未见你的身影。今嘛，你总算归来了——回家了， 再嘛也不走了。 When you left, you were still a strong young man.When you came home, you were nothing more than a weathered black-and-white portrait.How could my heart not ache?I cried out my soul, but my voice could not pierce through the decades.I couldn’t go back… Continue reading 归来 Coming Home
老屋 The Old House
Published: May 31, 2025 爷爷的脚步，沉重如暮色，踏响他心底压抑的风声。他长长叹息——“我想回唐山，回那座父母曾在的老屋。” 他呢喃着， 无人应答， 屋外的椰树也静默。奶奶坐在那张断了扶手的旧椅上，拐杖早已嵌入她娇小的身形， 蓝衫黑裤，成了她一生的颜色。 我用不流利的福建话稚气地问：“阿嬷，为什么不换些别的颜色？” 她笑了， 笑得像风吹过屋外的椰树—— 不言不语。许多年后，我重返童年的故居， 只觉屋檐低了、墙角旧了， 一切仿佛都缩小了。 我四顾茫然， 才恍然， 原来是我长大了！如屋外的椰树，岁月未动，如旧无声。孩提时的笑声轻轻在耳畔回响， 仿佛当年在爷爷奶奶心底飘过的风声。 这座老屋，始终没有还给他们一个答案， 只有一罗罗未了的心愿， 锁在岁月的深处—— 静默的回声有声，亦无声。 Grandfather’s footsteps, heavy as twilight,echoed the repressed wind within his heart.He sighed deeply—“I want to return to Tangshan,to that old house where my parents once lived.”He murmured,but received no reply,even the coconut… Continue reading 老屋 The Old House
画室之窗 Window of My Painting Studio
Published: May 20, 2025 我的画室有一扇窗，我常想，那是一道通往仙境的门。只要目光穿越它，梦境般的世界便悄然浮现。 看！高蓝姜树开着优雅的花，一朵朵洁白如棉的点缀，沿着细长修瘦的叶子，欢呼地向风之神招手。 立在一旁的芒果树此刻并非结果的时节，却凭着粗壮的枝干与静默的气息，成为鸟兽们的安息之地。 有时，一对犀鸟情侣并肩坐在枝头，看风景流转。我也见过一只老鹰，踽踽于枝桠间，沉思下一处落脚的方向。 忽然，一只大猴子出现！圆鼓的肚子仿佛盛着热带的故事。它慢悠悠地攀下枝干， 在高蓝姜树旁的黄梨树下打盹。 这，难道不是一场醒着的梦？我坐在窗边，捧着一杯咖啡。任旱季的西南季候风揉過我的臉， 像是在诉说热带午后的故事。 在这片南洋风情里，我怀着一份热爱这土地的心，做着一个充满温热 的东南亚情怀之梦。My studio has a window —a portal to an enchanted realm. Whenever one gazes through it, a dreamlike world appears.Look! How the Galangal blooms,its blossoms soft as cotton. Along slender, swaying leaves,waving cheerfully to the wind-god passing by. The neighbouring mango tree,… Continue reading 画室之窗 Window of My Painting Studio