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Curiosity Capsules: Illustrations for Re-Route Festival, as part of Singapore Design Week 2022

Brief: Portraits of people running F&B stalls in Little India. 

Places are made by people, and so presenting the people of Little India. I didn't want to just reflect a single person or the owners, as so many people and processes are involved in giving us the wonderful experience of eating, and often times they go unseen. So even though there's a person I had in mind for each character, they are more of an interpretation and mix of stories and vibes of the collective people behind the scenes, making, presenting and serving the food we eat. Each illustration also come with a poem, which is meant to be narrated by each character.

I had the opportunity to tell stories through these characters, and imagined each of them narrating their own tale. Super fun, super hectic, and super surprising that I actually got free reign on this project.

[whatisaval]

Curiosity Capsules: Illustrations for Re-Route Festival, as part of Singapore Design Week 2022

Brief: Portraits of people running F&B stalls in Little India. 

Places are made by people, and so presenting the people of Little India. I didn't want to just reflect a single person or the owners, as so many people and processes are involved in giving us the wonderful experience of eating, and often times they go unseen. So even though there's a person I had in mind for each character, they are more of an interpretation and mix of stories and vibes of the collective people behind the scenes, making, presenting and serving the food we eat. Each illustration also come with a poem, which is meant to be narrated by each character.

I had the opportunity to tell stories through these characters, and imagined each of them narrating their own tale. Super fun, super hectic, and super surprising that I actually got free reign on this project.

[whatisaval]

Curiosity Capsules: Illustrations for Re-Route Festival, as part of Singapore Design Week 2022

Motion in spaces is the evidence of a place. The large-scale Gachapon dispenses Valerie Khong’s interpretations of lesser-known locations and local businesses around Little India. The gachapon ball redirects people to a different site and location in Little India and generates motion as people explore Little India through an illustrator’s eyes.

For detailed illustrations and concept, click here and here. 

https://reroutefest.com/

[whatisaval]

New pattern to mark the new season in life.

The past few months passed by so quickly - a mix of slowing down and resting, sometimes having my loud and endless thoughts fill a very empty house, and an intense rushing of deadlines reminiscent of architecture days. This period has taught me so much, not quite quantifiable, but very much valuable. I saw how much false security I placed in my (very stable) job, and how difficult thanksgiving was for me. I just turned 28 and while I always joke that I can't wait to be in my 30s or 40s, every year has been different and special in it's own way, a gift! Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations (Psalm 90:1). Indeed it is so, as I reflect on how God is the one that provides, sustains, and stabilises my life. He holds the universe in His hands and I can hope in Him forever, even as the world passes away and I turn back to dust.

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I don't understand pencil skirts. It's like...once worn, forever stuck.

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[whatisaval]

These are val tote bags

Boy Boy...is it lunch yet? This work’s making me sweat If only I’m not in debt Oh wait! Check out that brunette…

Girl Yes, I am a girl I dance and love to twirl I see that boy named Earl He’s so gonna make me hurl…

Man Hello everybody, Earth’s getting hot Don’t blame anybody, We’re all at fault So before Earth cries out “forget-me-not” When you wanna anyhow shop, shout “ABORT!“

Ladies Let’s cross the road Come, hold my hand Rules can be bent But wounds will not mend Right, then left That’s the way Your eyes shouldn’t stray And remember to pray

Rain The sky’s raining again The rain’s flooding the drains The flood’s racking all brains To solve the problem that reigned

Mountain It depicts a mountain Not at all a fountain Yet there’s water Perhaps it’s getting hotter? There’s been a warning But disbelievers are scorning What shall we do? Maybe…start by thinking it through

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Meet Drinking Man, drinking water, inspired by a recent encounter, with a bizarre character.

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They say it takes three days to build a habit (and three days to break one as well).

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So prepare your mind For action and reaction And all will be well

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A random daydream Gives rise to alternative Personalities

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Dressing myself up #2 (ft. some literal statements)

I drink a lot of water Because it’s good for hydration. Pants are most convenient Especially in an air con location. Cotton’s my favourite material For it has a nice sensation. I forgot to draw pockets here Oh! What an observation.

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Dressing myself up #1 (ft. inner thoughts and insecurities)

I’ve never worn a tube dress I wonder if you’ve guessed... Does it ever drop, And is that a source of stress? To me that’s a yes There are dangers to address!!! That’s why I’ve never, Worn a nice tube dress.

[whatisaval]

It feels as though the past two years didn’t quite happen. Time has been zooming by week by week sometimes to my delight, and now my career has come to a screeching halt by my own doing. How exciting! I relish at the endless possibilities that await me yet grapple with the ‘what ifs’ from time to time. In this season I’ve come to realise that life can be so expansive, yet so fleeting, and it brings me so much comfort to know that my life is not at all random, not out of control, not arbitrary, and not in vain! God is sovereign above all and I can stand firm and quietly, ignoring the incessant noise around me and inside me, knowing that He will use my life for good. 

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This is a couple portrait.

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I’ve so many issues with my body that I don’t quite often say. I can never relate to everyone’s desire for weight loss or complaints about their body while I look at them with envy (those arms! those legs! muscles!). Subconsciously this probably began in primary school as I dealt with watch straps that always dangled loose, and shoes that would never fit. What a journey it has been, not quite intentional, but always at the back of my mind. 

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We got married! 

Not one into attention nor fuss so a wedding was always dreadful to think about. But we got it done and dusted, once and for all, and I will always cherish God’s providence, timing and hand in it all.