Come one come all to the ArtWalk @ Wessex

The time of year is coming again for the artists at Wessex Estate to fling open their doors to their work lofts, studios and apartments nestled in this tranquil enclave of black and white colonial buildings and beautiful lush greenery. And how lucky for us that is.

This is in my view, a fantastic opportunity to connect with the  20 participating artists, to view their work, understand more about their practices and about this unique and talented community which should be cherished and supported. It’s also a great and rare opportunity to appreciate a variety of fine art disciplines, expertise, methods, practices and influences championed by artists who herald from all across the globe, in a very special setting of nature.

So what exactly is in store at the 24th and 25th March at ArtWalk? Well that’s just what I wanted to find out and so on one fine day, I trundled off up to Wessex Estate to find out just what seemingly endless creative talent lies within the grounds of the pastoral former British army base.

I was very lucky to have had organised the opportunity to spend time with four artists so we could give you a flavour of what to expect. The first was Joyce Loo, a claywork artist. Loo was unique in the artists I met that day because she not only works, but lives at Wessex Estate. Her home is where she not only creates her work, but stores it and displays it.

Quite amazingly, until four years ago, Joyce used to be a stockbroker, after which what was once a hobby and passion became her raison d’etre. Joyce’s work started out with carvings but gradually she became more inspired by nature which is clear to see from her work’s organic, flowing forms. For example, these beautiful forms are inspired by none other than fungi.

There is something incredibly intimate and warming about seeing her studio where she crafts her pieces complete with firing room housing her kiln plus a variety of glazes she makes herself, not to mention her works themselves sit in her place of residence.

Time to hop over to Dick Lim. Lim is another artist who has broken away from the chains of the everyday grind (advertising in Lim’s case) to follow his true love – art. This is Lim’s studio and gallery for his work, which is predominantly inspired by his own memories and those of old Singapore, unleashed and exaggerated on canvas.

It’s obvious that Lim loves to experiment with very different styles including abstract, impressionist, modernist and so forth, as well as different mediums from oil, to acrylic and then to watercolour. He moves from the rustic to the monochrome with different lights and moods resonating from each piece.

Pootling down the way we visit Marisa Keller’s space. Keller – a master printmaker who has been perfecting her art for no less than 20 year – has been integral in organising this year’s Art Walk and for that we say hats off to her.

Specialising in non-toxic printmaking across techniques such as etching and relief printing (i.e. woodcut), her work explores the natural world, it’s constant state of flux, and how it’s elements come together resulting in beautiful, whimsical pieces.

We were fascinated to learn that her studio is only one of two places where the necessary equipment and know-how to learn and practice such techniques in Singapore is available…a sign of how although Singapore is making progress in terms of nurturing art that there is still much to do on this front.

Our final stop for the day was figurative artist Kelly Reedy whose beautiful and feminine works are inspired by her passion for art history and her travels across Europe, India and South East Asia. Everything falls into place as she explains to me how her works are a culmination of her early interest in Byzantine icons and medieval art, and her fascination with Asian folk traditions, rituals and mythologies.



Each piece is not only a fascinating fusion of East meets West symbolism, but also of media with her latest works combining acrylic on paper and collaging techniques.

Having been lucky enough to share a quick cuppa and chat with four of the participating artists, I’m looking forward to now having the chance to immerse myself in the works and practices of the other participating artists for ArtWalk.

This is a rare event in so many ways, so make sure you get your walking shoes on and get down to ArtWalk on one of the days and be ready for a day of mooching, art, and generally getting away from it all, and perhaps even walk away with a piece of art to call your own.

Art Walk is taking place on 24 and 25 March, 11am – 7pm at Wessex Estate off Portsdowne Road at various blocks on Westbourne Road and Woking Road. Art Walk is free and self guided. Maps are available at all studios and it’s advised to start off at Block 28 Woking Road.  For more information see their Facebook page here.

The artists interviewed above are at: Joyce Loo, JoyClay Studio & Gallery, Block 10 Woking Road, 01-01, more information here; Dick Lim, d’Art Studio, Block 5 Westbourne Road, 02-03, more information here; Marisa Keller, Block 28 Woking Road, 03-05, more information here and Kelly Reedy, Studio Arts, Block 27 Woking Road, 01-01, more information here.


Written by Ms Demeanour


Chief Editor

Emily heads the editorial team on City Nomads by being a stickler for details, a grammar Nazi, and a really picky eater. Born and bred in Singapore, she loves cats, the written word, and exploring new places. Can be bribed with quality booze across the board.