Explore the heritage art of Singapore artist Kelly Ser

As Singapore celebrates 60 years of independence this month, we meet more of the passionate local creatives keeping Singapore’s heritage alive and giving traditional pastimes a modern twist – one bite, brushstroke, and stitch at a time. Read on to meet our cover artist Kelly Ser, and serial hobbyist, Lim Boon Kuan.

“For Singapore’s 60th birthday, the best thing we can do is continue telling stories”

Kelly Ser, a former civil servant-turned-artist, celebrates the country’s natural beauty and cultural identity through vibrant, emotion-led artworks.

“I was born and raised in Singapore, and the island is always present in my work – not in an obvious way, but through mood, palette, and texture. I use art as a platform to promote the history, culture, and heritage of Singapore to the world. I’m proud to be Singaporean, and I want my art to honour that – by celebrating our depth, diversity, and emotional complexity.

My work is abstract, expressive, and filled with colour. Singapore has taken huge strides since independence to become one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, and I want to celebrate that journey and inject a refreshed identity into familiar symbols to spark interest and conversation among locals, expats, and tourists. I paint Singapore icons and landmarks in a vibrant, kaleidoscopic way that has become my signature style. My contemporary approach – and the inclusion of fun historical facts – means my art appeals to a wide audience.

Storytelling is at the heart of what I do. When you see a Merlion artwork, you might just think, ‘Ah, that’s a symbol of Singapore.’ But when you see my Not Just a Little Red Dot collection, you’ll notice the colourful Merlion paired with the year 1972 – because that’s when the statue was built. My durian artwork includes the year 1956, when Lorong Liew Lian in Upper Serangoon was named after the durian fruit – liew lian means durian in Hokkien.

Kelly’s Singapura tea towels and City in Nature bamboo plates

Strong responsibility

I always start a new collection with a deep dive into research, as I enjoy learning more about our history and weaving stories and subtle commonalities into my pieces. In my City in Nature collection, a piece titled Singapore Delights includes our national flower, bird, butterfly, animal (arguably the orangutan), and of course, the Merlion! (See ANZA’s front cover!).

Some of these places I feature are especially close to my heart, like the Peranakan shophouses – my grandparents used to live in Katong. I remember walking around the area, fascinated by their intricate ornaments, carvings, and bright colours which looked so different from the HDB flats I lived in.

I feel a strong responsibility to help preserve Singapore’s heritage through my work. In a fast-moving, digital world, I want people to reconnect with beauty and emotion. If someone sees a flower in one of my paintings and remembers their grandmother’s garden, or wears a scarf that reminds them of their Peranakan roots, that’s a win. For Singapore’s 60th birthday, I think the best thing we can do is continue telling stories. That philosophy goes beyond canvas. Alongside acrylic paint, I create scarves, prints, journals, and accessories. I want art to be lived with – it shouldn’t only be enjoyed by those with wall space.

Switching from a career in public service to becoming a full-time artist in 2021 was a giant step, but one of my first milestones was getting my art and merchandise into a couple of retail stores. In just three years, I’ve built a retail presence in over 20 stores islandwide, including at Changi Airport.

SG60 tray and carryall bag

To celebrate SG60, I thought it would be fun to pair some of my past artworks with quirky facts that even some locals might not know – that’s how my SG60 commemorative bamboo tray and carryall bag set came about. Featuring designs from my Not Just a Little Red Dot and Singapura collections, the set spotlights interesting local trivia and includes popular Singlish phrases such as Shiok lah!

Looking ahead, there are still so many Singapore emblems, neighbourhoods, and untold stories I’m excited to explore. I love food, and like a true Singaporean, I enjoy going to hawker centres with family and friends. My Mo-Hawk collection already honours traditional hawker fare with a dash of avant-garde cooking.

For now, I’m working on an architectural series paying homage to Singapore’s iconic buildings, starting with colonial-era black-and-white bungalows. I hope to include Raffles Hotel, Old Hill Street Police Station, and the Fullerton Hotel, which once housed the Singapore General Post Office. There’s always more to learn, paint, and share. I’m so grateful I get to do that through art.”

kellyseratelier.com
@kellyser_atelier