Priscilla Tey

Priscilla Tey transforms her illustrations into a large-scale installation through HP Latex printing

Singaporean illustrator Priscilla Tey has been awarded the top prize in the Site Specific Professional Category at the World Illustration Awards 2025, organised by The Association of Illustrators (a UK based organisation) in partnership with the Directory of Illustration (based in the USA). Her project, It Takes A Village, was selected from more than 4,700 entries across 85 countries.

The project, a life-sized illustrated installation, was presented by National Gallery Singapore in partnership with CapitaLand Investment (CLI) for National Day 2024. It travelled between 3 malls (Raffles City Singapore, Plaza Singapura and CQ @ Clarke Quay) from 1 to 26 August 2024 and was opened to the public.

Inspired by artworks in the Gallery’s collection, namely Liu Kang’s Life by the River (1975) and Jaafar Latiff’s Wandering Series from the 1970s, It Takes A Village invited audiences to explore whimsical depictions of Singapore’s urbanscape and folktales. The work was constructed entirely out of cardboard with the help of Trio Packaging, a local company founded in 1977 as a manufacturer of corrugated carton boxes. The graphics illustrated by Tey were printed on the surface using HP’s eco-friendly water-based latex ink, allowing the installation to be recycled at the end of the event. Amidst the cardboard neighbourhood of familiar buildings, furniture, flora and fauna, were scenes that collectively painted a picture of life in this tropical city, some of which could come alive through Augmented Reality (AR) activations.

With the aim to promote a collective identity, Priscilla Tey centred her modular designs around 3 core
themes: The Community, The Land and The Stories, which she felt were the foundations on which we
continue to build our Kampong Spirit.

Her structures referenced the local architecture in Tiong Bahru, black and white bungalows,
shophouses and HDB void decks, creating a 3D collage of the local urban environment that mall
visitors could explore. Brightly coloured patterns and illustrations of plant and animal life punctuated
the site. The botanicals were inspired by stylizations of flora found in batik fabrics whilst surface
patterns referenced Peranakan tiles. Her whimsical portrayal of wild chickens were a comical tribute to
the absurd but charming presence of these humble animals in the downtown core.

Anchoring the exhibition was a dynamic fountain from which flowed cardboard depictions of scenes from local folktales such as the story of Sang Nila Utama and Redhill (otherwise known as Singapura Dilanggar Todak). At the centre of the entire exhibit was a communal space marked by the iconic blue stone tables commonly found in void decks. It was in this space that visitors could participate in various workshops and activities organised by the National Gallery Singapore and CLI.

In response to the good news, National Gallery Singapore has stated “This award isn’t just a win for the Gallery, it’s a proud moment for Singapore. It shows that our commissions don’t just enrich community spaces at home; they resonate on the world stage, spotlighting Singaporean creativity and storytelling for global audiences.”

CLI also extends warmest congratulations to Priscilla on her remarkable achievement. “Witnessing our community gather and connect through It Takes A Village has been profoundly rewarding. Priscilla’s work has not only transformed our spaces but also sparked joy and a deeper appreciation for the stories that shape Singapore’s cultural heritage.”

For more information and images of the installation, you can reference
https://www.priscillatey.com/national-gallery-x-capitaland