Labour Of Love

We hear you’re the core lead for the programming team at the Light to Night festival and the youth programme, Kolektif, at National Gallery. What do you think young voices bring to a festival like this, and how do you balance guidance with letting them run free?
The empowerment of youth voices isn’t just important for a festival, it’s something that really matters in life, so I’m really grateful to have the chance to work closely with youth in my role. It’s really about understanding what they want to say, and how their opinions and perspectives often tie in to the social issues they care about; and how they resonate and connect with art.

For me, transparency is key: it’s about getting to the heart of the story and meaning behind the topics these youths exploring, and figuring out how that can be conveyed in the best possible way.

Zooming in on Night to Light first, what’s something about putting together the festival that most people don’t realise?
Great question! Most people don’t realise how much trial and error goes into this work. The different ideas we’ve tested, the different artists, materials, formats. There’s a lot of experimentation and discovery that happens internally. It’s not always polished, but the experience is really about exploring art together with our audiences.

We understand you’ve had experience in radio as well before getting into the arts. How did your time in radio shape the way you find your footing in the arts?
Yes, before this, I was a producer at Lush 99.5FM, an indie music station, and also worked on events with 987FM. That honestly introduced and got me to fall in love with homegrown art, artists, and music. It really sparked the interest and connections I have today, where I genuinely appreciate Singaporean and Southeast Asian creatives. Later, I joined an arts agency, made amazing friends, and programmed for major festivals in Singapore. It’s been quite the journey.

With so much of your work centred on creating experiences for the public, what does recharging look like for you these days?
Recharging now has merged quite a bit (laughs). I’m always spending time with family and friends, exploring new experiences together. Whether it’s attending a gig, an interactive exhibition, travelling, or chilling by the beach, it’s really about feeling inspired while relaxing.

We hear you’re also a mum! Tell us more about your son, and some of the things being a mum has taught you.
My son, Vihaan, is my second best friend after my partner. He’s taught me how to balance life, and to remember that life is bigger than just myself. Even though the social issues around us can make it hard to stay optimistic, he gives me faith in humankind, and that’s a pretty big deal.

What’s something you’d tell your younger self, or any young creative figuring out where they belong in Singapore’s cultural scene?
This is a tough question, but I’d say to never change who you are and what you stand for—just remember to do it with empathy. I’ve often heard people describe me as intense and straightforward, but really, I’m just proud of who I am. If I could tell my younger self something, it would be to trust the process and let it be what it is.