See how these Singaporean artists celebrate the art of living with Roche Bobois

Ang sees that same playful spirit in the collections of Roche Bobois, and curated similarly whimsical pieces of her own to accompany the lively settings. “I think the creative philosophy of Roche Bobois resonates with my own sense of playfulness in my practice. I picked out pieces that induce a sense of play for anyone who picks it up. The double walled vase with various depths allows you to arrange flowers in all sorts of way, it does not dictate that flowers should only come out from a single opening. The large sculpture, on the other hand, can be taken apart and act as two different vases.”

When it comes to his artistic practice, Wong employs a rigorous conceptualisation process for each series: the self-taught painter does multiple drafts and finalises the colour scheme early on, but allows for some elements of unpredictability such that the look of each work evolves during the creative process. In his Dot series, for instance, the 43-year-old artist envisions a ring-like form on the painting, created by splattering controlled dots of acrylic paint onto the canvas; the size of the circle is not pre-determined but is decided when Wong intuitively chooses to rest his brush and deems the work to be complete.

“Architecture teaches me about the beauty of order and symmetry. It also teaches me about the importance of planning; some of my abstract works appear spontaneous but much planning is actually involved,” says Wong, who was awarded the UOB Painting of the Year in 2019 for a painting from his Infinite Oneness series.

He continues to draw inspiration from Hindu beliefs and ancient philosophy, such as the theory of oneness that is represented through the sense of visual harmony in his paintings. “I believe that all beings are connected through interdependence. If we look deeply, stripping away all the masks and outer forms, we would find the same core hidden within every being. The world is increasingly divided but I believe that there is harmony if we see beyond our differences.” 

In contrast to the controlled effect seen in Wong’s work, Jays Phua takes a different trajectory to abstract art with his free and fluid brushstrokes. The 44 year-old left the finance industry to pursue his artistic calling and has not looked back since. His bold strokes appear to be almost dancing atop the technicolour hues he has selected. Phua’s paintings combine a sense of spontaneity with a youthful spirit, as conveyed through his dynamic lines and vibrant layers of acrylic paint.

“Each painting I create is a unique journey, filled with unexpected twists and turns. I am also inspired by the natural world, particularly the way colours and forms interact in the environment,” he shares. “My artistic process involves a deep exploration of colour, texture, and composition. I begin each piece by experimenting with various colour palettes, and layering acrylic paint to create a rich, textured surface. From there, I use a combination of acrylic fluid paints and controlled brushstrokes to build up the forms and shapes on the canvas.”

Phua is delighted to see how his vibrant paintings match the eclectic mix of designer furnishings in the Roche Bobois showroom, picking up on the bright tones and fun shapes of the collections from the French furniture company. “I really appreciate the Roche Bobois aesthetic and its innovative approach to design. I take great pride in my work being showcased in such an environment, and it is a great honour to be associated with the French brand.”

Roche Bobois, 75 Bukit Timah Road, #01-02 Boon Siew Building, Tel: 6513 1918, roche-bobois.com

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