In Her Hands

Breathing Life into Stone

Han Sai Por (b. 19 July 1943, Singapore) is a sculptor renowned for transforming raw granite into organic, evocative forms. Her mastery of stone carving has earned her international recognition, with exhibitions spanning Southeast Asia, China, South Korea, North America, and Europe. In Singapore, her sculptures grace public spaces such as hotels, libraries, and MRT stations, while her works have also found permanent homes in parks across Malaysia, Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Honored with the Cultural Medallion in 1995, Han remains a defining figure in contemporary sculpture.

A Childhood Shaped by Nature and Resilience

Born during the Japanese Occupation, Han was raised in humble circumstances, growing up in a makeshift home of cardboard and coconut leaves in Changi. Despite these hardships, she found joy in the outdoors, sculpting animals from sand at the nearby beach. Her connection to nature became a wellspring of inspiration, shaping the organic forms that define her later works. At ten, a book on Michelangelo’s sculptures introduced her to the expressive power of stone, planting the seed for a lifelong artistic journey.

The Road to Becoming an Artist

Han’s artistic aspirations were initially sidelined by financial realities. After graduating from the Teachers’ Training College in 1968, she worked as a full-time teacher while taking evening classes at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA). Determined to deepen her craft, she saved up and moved to the United Kingdom in 1979, studying at East Ham College of Art before earning a BA (Hons) in Fine Art from Wolverhampton College of Art. To support herself, she took on jobs as a waitress, hotel maid, and cook—grit and perseverance that would later define her approach to sculpture.

Returning to Singapore in 1983, Han helped launch the Arts Elective Programme at Nanyang Girls’ High School. By 1987, she transitioned to part-time teaching at NAFA and LaSalle-SIA College of the Arts, balancing her responsibilities as an educator and artist.

Shaping Stone, Shaping Spaces

Han’s sculptures are found in some of Singapore’s most prominent landmarks, from the Esplanade and Suntec City to Capital Towers and Woodlands Regional Library. Internationally, her works have left their mark in the Portland Sculpture Park (UK), Kuala Lumpur Lake Garden (Malaysia), and Uchinomi-cho Town Hall Garden (Japan). Each piece reflects her fascination with contrast—the interplay of strength and softness, permanence and fluidity.

The Artist and Her Medium

For Han, stone is more than just a material—it is a vessel for emotion and expression. She sources marble and granite from quarries across Singapore, Malaysia, China, Italy, and Japan, often investing tens of thousands of dollars into her solo exhibitions. Yet, for Han, artistic fulfillment outweighs financial concerns. What truly matters is how her sculptures connect with the audience.

Her works embody a poetic tension: the unyielding nature of granite is softened by her touch, shaped into flowing, organic forms. Despite her petite stature, Han carves massive stone blocks with a strength and precision that defy expectations. Her sculptures are not merely static objects but breathing, emotional landscapes.

A Life Carved with Purpose

From her early days in Seletar Airbase to her current home in Wessex Estate, Han has lived by a philosophy of simplicity and dedication. Hard work, an unshakable love for her craft, and an unwavering belief in the power of art define her life as much as her sculptures do.

Smashing, 2009, Ink on paper, 29 x 46 cm

Waiting for Flight, 2019, Marble, 36 x 46 x 17 cm

Tropical Leaf Series M6, 2021, Pulp and acrylic on canvas, 76 x 76 cm

Flower Series M3, 2021, Pulp and acrylic on canvas, 46 x 46 cm

Flora Series 2015, 2015, Marble sculpture, 37 x 12 x 27 cm

Bridging Tradition and Contemporary Art

Born in 1953 in Klang, Selangor, Malaysia, Kumari Nahappan is a leading figure in Southeast Asian contemporary art. Now based in Singapore, she has built an illustrious career that spans painting, sculpture, and large-scale installations. Her work masterfully integrates the language of contemporary international art with a deeply personal visual identity shaped by her cultural heritage and philosophical beliefs.

An Artist of International Acclaim

Kumari’s artistic achievements have earned her numerous accolades, with exhibitions showcased both in Singapore and internationally. Her major exhibitions include the ANIMA MUNDI International Art Festival in Venice, the Tropen Museum in Amsterdam, the Mori Museum in Tokyo, the Museum der Kulturen in Basel, the Seoul Art Centre in Korea, and the Museum Rudana in Bali.

Sculptures in Public Spaces

Beyond galleries and museums, Kumari’s sculptures have become iconic landmarks in public spaces across the world. Notable works include her installation at the G Tower in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and her striking pineapple sculpture at the J.Y. Campos Centre in Manila. Her presence extends to China as well, with a work installed at Zhongshan Park in Shanghai.

Through her bold and evocative creations, Kumari Nahappan continues to shape the landscape of contemporary art while staying true to the cultural narratives that inspire her practice.

Let’s Twist Again: Artist Edition 1, 2015, Bronze, 90 x 180 x 150 cm

Erika: Unique 1/5, 2024, Bronze (High-polished), 20 x 25 x 15 cm

Present: The Present 01-01, 2008, Acrylic on canvas, 107 x 61 cm

About Kanoko Takaya

Kanoko Takaya is an artist from Kyoto, Japan, whose works explore the relationship between the human body, emotions, and self-discovery. She expresses these themes through the use of tactile and organic forms, as well as a vast exploration of materials.

Journey to Self-Discovery

In 2016, Kanoko moved to Bali, where she began to focus on introspection and discovering her inner self as an individual. In the process, she began using a variety of materials in her practice as a medium of self-expression.

Artistic Approach and Techniques

Her works attempt to transcend the boundaries of painting and sculpture through endless experiments and unconventional techniques. Kanoko’s works are characterized by curves and textures that evoke associations with the human body, often offering a sense of familiarity and intimacy to the audience.

Philosophy and Creative Process

At the core of her work is the pursuit of discovering the inner self through intuitive expression and conscious decisions. By engaging with shapes, symbols, and textures in habitual ways, she creates visual rhythms that convey her ever-changing state of mind. Kanoko’s approach embraces her ability to be both emotional and rational in her artistic process.

Un Deux Trois 02, 2022, Acrylic on canvas, 110 x 140.5 cm

Piggyback, 2024, Mixed media on wood, 215 x 82 x 15 cm

Pangkas Rambut (Barbershop), 2020, Acrylic on canvas, 125 x 125 cm