DISCOVER THE WONDERS OF SOUTHEAST ASIA THROUGH ART

Exploring Southeast Asia with Affandi focuses on the artist who transformed art in Indonesia. Affandi is one of Indonesia's most famous painters. He was born in- Indonesia during a time when people thought that art had to be beautiful and traditional. Through the study of Affandi’s work, readers will come to realise that Affandi is a painter with a unique method—he painted with his fingers instead of a brush. This method ofpainting created a new art style that is unique only to Affandi. In his strokes consisting of swirls and whirls, readers will be able to see why he is an artist with a human touch and the father of modern Indonesian art. Readers will also see how a trip to India inspired Affandi to paint from his heart. They will understand that an artist's journey often takes him away from their home where they observe life and nature that eventually become part of their body of work.

Quek Hong Shin is a Singaporean freelance author and illustrator whose works include picture books like The Amazing Sarong, The Brilliant Oil Lamp and Universe of Feelings. The Incredible Basket, was the winner of Best Children’s Book at the 2019 Singapore Book Awards. He is also the illustrator for other children’s titles like The One and Only Inuka and the Ahoy, Navy! series that was published in celebration of the Republic of Singapore Navy’s 50th Anniversary in 2017.

Jeffrey Say is an art historian specialising in Singapore and Southeast Asian art history. Jeffrey has been instrumental in the development of art history studies at LASALLE College of the Arts, supporting artists to develop a contextual and historical understanding of the evolution of visual arts. In 2009, he designed the world’s first Master’s programme focussing on Asian modern and contemporary art histories. Jeffrey is a public advocate of the importance of art history to Singapore. 

Eva Wong Nava is an award-winning children’s book author. She writes picture books to entertain, engage, and enthral young readers. She is also an art historian. When not writing for children, she meanders art museums and galleries waiting for the next piece of art work to speak to her and inspire another story. She weaves stories from art at CarpeArte Journal. When not writing, Eva teaches the art of picture book creation through her workshops under the brand, Picture Book Matters.