Untuk Ho-ting (For the casque)

The rhinoceros hornbill is a large, striking bird native to the rainforests of Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra, and Thailand. It is Malaysia’s national bird. Revered in many local cultures—especially among the Dayak people of Borneo—it is seen as a powerful symbol of the spirit world. Despite its cultural significance, the rhinoceros hornbill faces growing threats from both hunting and habitat destruction.

Hunting occurs for several reasons. In some regions, the bird’s distinctive features—especially its brightly colored casque, the horn-like structure atop its bill—are sought after for use in traditional decorations or ceremonial attire. In certain indigenous traditions, parts of the bird are used in rituals or valued as symbols of social status.

While the rhinoceros hornbill is protected by national laws in many countries, enforcement is often weak or under-resourced. As a result, illegal hunting continues to threaten the species, making it a Near Threatened bird species.

However, hunting is not the only danger. The destruction of tropical rainforests—driven by logging, agriculture, and the expansion of palm oil plantations—is perhaps an even more significant threat. Rhinoceros hornbills depend on large, mature trees for nesting, and the loss of these trees is severely impacting their ability to reproduce.

Conservation efforts are underway, with various organisations working to protect nesting sites, raise awareness in local communities, and strengthen enforcement of wildlife protection laws. Yet the survival of the rhinoceros hornbill ultimately depends on a broader commitment to preserving Southeast Asia’s rapidly disappearing forests.

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‘Untuk Ho-ting’ is a Malaysian phrase meaning ‘For the casque’, referencing the primary reason these birds are hunted. In addressing the exploitation of the rhinoceros hornbill, I felt it was essential to incorporate a native wood to evoke their natural rainforest habitat, both the birds’ sanctuary and the site of their destruction. I chose Anjan wood for its rich colour and grain, which best aligned with my envisioned aesthetic and emotional tone.

A rhinoceros hornbill perches on a branch, symbolic of its endangered rainforest home, which itself faces relentless deforestation. I sculpted the branch in Mitsuro Hikime wax to preserve its organic, fluid form and evoke the forest’s soul—fragile yet alive.

In the bird’s belly rests a Tahitian baroque pearl, pierced by an arrow. The pearl represents both the soul of the creature and a visceral image of wounded vulnerability, as if its innards are spilling from the trauma. I selected the Tahitian pearl for its dark, iridescent lustre, suggesting inner resilience but referencing luxury, rarity, and power, qualities that unite the pearl and the rhinoceros hornbill as objects. In Polynesian mythology, such pearls were believed to be tears of the gods, linking this image to spiritual grief and the sorrow of extinction.

The arrow, an ancient hunting tool, symbolises more than violence—it signifies intention, desire, and betrayal. Birds are not taken at random; they are hunted for specific human purposes. Thus, the arrow becomes a metaphor for both targeted destruction and the painful loss of innocence and beauty.

With this piece, I aimed to embody a serene form of beauty that persists despite the sombre narrative. I hope it invites reflection, sparks curiosity, and encourages a deeper awareness of the creatures we endanger—and the worlds we are at risk of losing.