MALAYSIANSKINI | When Christine Nalina Das left her corporate job as a graphic designer in 2007, she never expected that years later she would be accepted into the world’s leading artist collective, Artists for Conservation.

The Canadian-based international non-profit represents 500 artists from over 30 countries who are committed to conservation in the nature or wildlife art genre.

The collective seeks to engage, inspire and inform the public about the environment through festivals, exhibits, collaborative art projects, art-science expeditions, awards, publications, films and online initiatives.

Das is the only Malaysian member of the collective, having been granted admission in December 2020 after having applied for several years.

The now 55-year-old Penang-born artist continues to hustle and challenge herself artistically and emotionally through her art and endeavours.

Nor was it always an easy journey for Das, having gone through years of self-discovery, hard work, adaptability and even grief to get her to where she is today.

“In my 20s and 30s I was a wild party animal, so I was not really concerned about what was going on outside of myself.

“It was only when I hit 40 that I re-evaluated my life. I began to question...