I did a volunteer work at Matang wildlife centre in Borneo in Feb this year. I worked closely with rescued orangutans, sun bears, macaques and other exotic animals.

This is Peter from Matang wildlife center. I’ve met so many beautiful creatures while I was there but Peter really touched my heart. Here I portrayed him as a forest god, surrounded by his fellow Matang friends. I have ignored the actual scale of these beautiful creatures in order to keep that surreal atmosphere to the painting.

Peter was confiscated from a private ownership in 2009. He was kept in a tiny box for more than 20 years. When he came to Matang, he was skin and bones, had no fur, due to a very poor diet abuse. He is healthy and well looked after but he still suffers from his traumatic past, and he can’t be released back into wild. I really wanted Peter to be free in the jungle, as a majestic creature he is…at least in my painting. Peaceful and majestic, surrounded by his Matnag friends, Peter is free.