Research Assistant and Writer, When the Land Tortoise Meets the Sea Turtle, community-based research and open studio, Terengganu, Malaysia

When the Land Tortoise Meets the Sea Turtle is a community-based art and research project initiated by Malaysian contemporary artist Cheng Yen Pheng. Centered in Kampung Mangkuk, Setiu, Terengganu, Malaysia, the project explores the reciprocation between traditional rural life and the natural environment, particularly focusing on the cultural and ecological significance of turtles in the region. Utilising various artistic mediums to facilitate community expression and storytelling, the project not only serves as an artistic endeavor but also functions as a form of community research, preserving intangible cultural heritage and promoting environmental awareness. 

Amanda contributed during the project's initial phase, engaging directly with the local community. Her involvement exemplifies the project's commitment to collaborative storytelling, where art, ecology, and community memory meet. By integrating her writing with the lived experiences of the community, Amanda helped shape a narrative that honours the natural heritage and the cultural nuances of the region, while bridging them with the artist's vision.

Visit the project’s official Facebook page to learn more about it facebook.com/landtortoisemeetsseaturtle.

About Cheng Yen Pheng

Cheng Yen Pheng is a Malaysian contemporary artist known for her deeply personal and philosophical approach to artmaking, full of reflection upon the struggles and experiences of life. A graduate of the Dasein Academy of Arts, she has exhibited across Malaysia, Vietnam, and Singapore, gaining recognition as the Grand Prize winner of UOB’s Painting of the Year Malaysia in 2019. Her art serves as both a storytelling medium and a reflection of her life’s journey, documenting personal struggles and societal challenges. In 2020, she received the CENDANA Visual Arts Inspire Funding Programme to research local arts, crafts, and communities in Terengganu, further enriching her artistic practice.