Japanese artist celebrates Singapore's artisans through paint

She hopes to uncover more skills, traditions that make up country’s cultural identity

- Chin Soo Fang

An unlikely friendship has formed between a Japanese artist and a group of heritage artisans here.

Ms Tsuyumi Miwa, a Nagoyaborn painter, started her Singapore Cultural Series in late 2021 to showcase unique skills here that are at risk of disappearing.

One of her muses is mala (garland) seller Sevugan Ponnalagu, who owns Sri Akilandeswari Minimarts in Serangoon Road.

"She was my fourth subject and before her, it was all men," said Ms Miwa, a Singapore permanent resident married to a Briton here. "I wanted to find a female muse but walking around Little India, I saw that 95 per cent were men." She found out from a tour guide about a female mala flower seller in Little India, and managed to hunt down Ms Ponnalagu after three attempts. After taking photographs of Ms Ponnalagu, she did an acrylic painting of her, which took over two months.

"I'm happy that she has done a good job," said Ms Ponnalagu, 43, looking at the 100cm by 70cm painting of herself. "People always come and take my pictures or ask about my garlands. I'm like an Indian culture ambassador" She takes 10 minutes to make a simple garland, a craft she learnt by observing others over a decade ago. The garlands are used for prayers and weddings, and as hair adornments.