TUARAN: Award-winning wildlife conservationist Alexander Yee has adopted a visual art format to promote conservation efforts for Borneo's pygmy elephants in Lower Kinabatangan and sea turtles on Libaran Island.
Yee, chairman of the Responsible Elephant Conservation Trust (RESPECT) and founder of Friends of Sea Turtles Education and Research (FOSTER), has introduced the visual medium at the Ruang Tamu of Rumah Terbalik (Upside-Down House).
"Sometimes going to the field itself is not so accessible for people. So, we decided to bring it to them in a visual art exhibition using sound and light effects.
"We call this an interactive exhibition. It highlights the conservation work involving sea turtles and Borneo's pygmy elephants," said Yee.
The corner of the sitting room, titled "Big Ears, Big Hearts," focuses on the story of RESPECT's journey in pygmy elephant conservation.
Yee said it featured a chronological sequence of 14 significant events, ranging from Napier grass planting in Telupid to a meeting with the state Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister, and a visit by the Borneo Conservation Trust Japan.
The incorporation of the art medium was to educate the public about conservation efforts for both pygmy elephants and sea turtles, which were being carried out together, he said.
"It is part of the Rumah Terbalik experience and conveys an environmental message.
"The idea behind the construction of Rumah Terbalik is that if you don't take care of the environment and progress without proper planning, you will turn your world upside down," said Yee.
He added that income from visitor ticket sales would help cover the costs of setting up the exhibition.
Visitors can also buy T-shirts featuring pygmy elephant and sea turtle graphics to contribute to the conservation work.
Roy Wong, a designer from Singapore who curated the exhibition, said the visuals depicted how indiscriminate human actions could affect nature.
"Now, we see the elephants depicted in black and white; one day, they might disappear if we don't act," said Wong.
Two spotlights have been installed to cast shadows of three people, symbolising how even small human actions are amplified in their impact.
"We are creating an immersive experience for visitors to enjoy. It is quite therapeutic to look at.
"People can see the sea turtles swimming around. The first thing they should realise is that humans and nature can co-exist.
"If they reflect further, they may consider how their actions affect wildlife," he said.