"Urban Intimacy II (Tampines)"

Acrylic on Canvas
76x101cm, 2026

Inspired by everyday scenes in Singapore, I am particularly drawn to HDB architecture lately and the understated beauty found within ordinary residential spaces. Through careful observation, I focus on composition, geometry, light, and colour to highlight details that are often overlooked in everyday life.

This painting is inspired by an HDB block in Tampines featuring the iconic retro TV test card mural - a design chosen by residents as a symbol of the neighbourhood. I was immediately fascinated by this unique mural featuring strong geometric forms and bold colours, along with repetitive architectural patterns created by the building. At the same time, I was drawn to the intimate human details within the scene: hanging laundry, open corridors, shadows, plants, and traces of everyday routines that soften the rigid structure of the architecture.

In this work, I wanted to capture both the graphic visual impact of the mural and the warmth and familiarity of everyday life taking place around it. Through my paintings, I aim to encourage viewers to look more closely at the urban environments we pass by daily and rediscover beauty, atmosphere, and emotional connection within familiar spaces.