​Bold Colours and Cultural Icons

​As part of "What the Brush Remembers" at OCBC, Prestige Gallery presents an artist talk with Kumari Nahappan (b.1953). Kumari is celebrated for her bold colours and symbolic natural forms that traverse culture, faith, and ecology.

​Artist bio:

​Kumari Nahappan (b. 1953, Klang, Selangor, Malaysia) is a seminal figure in Singapore’s art scene, known for interdisciplinary works that weave contemporary aesthetics with cultural narratives. Over three decades, she has built a distinctive visual language rooted in heritage yet resonating globally.

​Trained in interior design in London, she moved to Singapore in 1989 to pursue fine art, earning an MFA from RMIT University. Recognised early at the 12th Shell Discovery Award, she held her first solo exhibition championed by Brother Joseph McNally.

​Nahappan’s practice spans painting, sculpture, and installation, often inspired by natural motifs and her Hindu upbringing. Signature public works—Nutmeg and Mace (ION Orchard), Pedas-Pedas (National Museum Singapore), and Pembungaan (OUE Bayfront)—are landmarks in Singapore’s cityscape. 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. Recent projects also reflect her commitment to sustainability, including The Upcycling Project with Singapore Airlines, The New Floodlights (2023), and Wings of Change (Light to Night Festival 2024).

​Beyond her studio, she mentors artists, contributes to inclusive initiatives, and serves on the Art Advisory Panel for Singapore’s Art in Transit program. Her contributions have been recognised with the Luminary award from the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Artist of the Year at the 2011 Shanghai Art Fair.

​Nahappan lives and works in Singapore.

​鲜明色彩与文化意象

​配合 Prestige Gallery 在 OCBC 举办的展览《What the Brush Remembers》，我们特别呈献 Kumari Nahappan（生于1953）的艺术家讲座。Kumari 以大胆的色彩和象征性的自然形态，探索文化、信仰与生态的交汇。

​艺术家简介：

​库玛丽·纳哈潘（Kumari Nahappan，1953年生于马来西亚雪兰莪州巴生）是新加坡艺术界的重要代表人物。三十多年来，她以跨领域创作，将当代艺术语言与深厚的文化叙事相结合，建立了独特的视觉风格，在本土与国际舞台上皆具影响力。

​她最初在伦敦威尔斯登理工学院学习室内设计，1989年移居新加坡后转向纯艺术创作，并在澳大利亚墨尔本皇家理工大学取得艺术硕士学位。她在第12届Shell Discovery中获肯定，并在拉萨尔艺术学院创办人麦能理修士的支持下举办了首场个展。

​纳哈潘的创作涵盖绘画、雕塑与装置，常取材于自然元素与印度教文化背景。其代表性公共艺术作品包括ION Orchard的《Nutmeg and Mace》、National Museum Singapore的《Pedas-Pedas》以及OUE Bayfront的《Pembungaan》，已成为城市地标。她的重要展览遍及ANIMA MUNDI International Art Festival（Venice）、Tropen Museum（Amsterdam）、Mori Museum（Tokyo）、Museum der Kulturen（Basel）、Seoul Art Centre（Korea）及Museum Rudana（Bali）。近年来，她亦关注环保议题，推出如与Singapore Airlines合作的《The Upcycling Project》、2023年F1夜赛的《The New Floodlights》以及2024年Light to Night Festival的《Wings of Change》。

​除创作外，她也积极参与艺术教育、公共艺术及包容性项目，并担任新加坡陆路交通管理局“Art in Transit”艺术顾问小组成员。她曾获新加坡中华总商会“文化之光”奖，以及2011年Shanghai Art Fair“Artist of the Year”称号。

​库玛丽·纳哈潘现居住并工作于新加坡。