Yap Hong Ngee, widely acknowledged in local Chinese brush painting circle as the ‘Sparrow King’ has combined his two strongest points – the sparrow and the peonies – in this work, Love Amidst Red and Blue Peonies.The two loverbirds are perched on a trellis in between the wafting fragrance of blue and red peonies on either side. Mentakab-born Yap, who is based in the Klang Valley, graduated in Japanese art from the Tokyo Arts University in 1963. He later followed it up with a degree in Japanese art history and Physical Engineering from the Waseda University. Apart from solos, he has several joint exhibitions with his daughter, Jane, who is also trained in Japan.