If Dreams Could Speak, Stay a Little Longer
Juleen Kay, Resident Writer of Our Hidden Talent by Luwee’s, shares her thoughts after visiting “Home”, our inaugural exhibition at Gallery NaWei (The Fullerton Hotel Singapore) running from 21 to 30 Aug 2026.
The exhibition “Home” marks an inaugural fundraiser for aspiring culinary talents. Somehow, the collaboration between Food and Home is nothing short of serendipity.
Once, a man on the radio was asked what his favourite ingredient was. I still remember a tenderness to his voice, as he recalled the biting fragrance of pepper, the crackly-spattering of sounds over a heated stove back home. His choice was something humble that had innate potential to burst big flavours into bloom.
Often, when we discuss food, it is not unusual to retell an account of unexpected generosity or an unforgettable phase in one’s life.
Essentially, that connection is rooted to what has stood out and continues to energise: it may have been a celebratory period or a bittersweet passage of mixed emotions of fear and doubt.
The exhibition “Home” marks an inaugural fundraiser for aspiring culinary talents. Somehow, the collaboration between Food and Home is nothing short of serendipity.
On opening night, Evy Wee (Co-Founder of Our Hidden Talent by Luwee’s) smilingly let out that the name of their private trust (Luwee’s) was borne in the couple’s home over dinner, inspired by the same enthusiastic friend present in the audience.
Showcased at Gallery NaWei (Fullerton Hotel), the breadth of the 28-piece private art collection by the husband-and-wife duo comprises paintings and mixed-media works (from Batik to Korean paper—yes, Korean paper!) that encapsulate resolve, exploration, and every dreamer’s unwavering gaze on the horizon.
From timeless everyday scenes to enduring landscapes or objects that seem to bear wisdom, each artwork chosen for “Home” contains a link to hope, trust, and secret wishes. Personally, I found myself immune to the passing of time, as I pondered on my own longings.
As we meandered along, my friend and I were also warmly coaxed to enjoy a handful of bananas lovingly laid out on a table of flowers. We also had the pleasure of getting to hear from Chris Kong of Dearborn Breakfast Club in-person, who shared his journey of becoming a chef. Modest and unassuming, Chris, to me, is the official godfather of granola, born out of necessity during COVID.
Speaking of serendipity, the gallery of choice for “Home” is delightfully apt. The recently refurbished space is effortlessly inviting. For a moment, I was transfixed, thinking I had just been transported to my grandparents’ living room.
Thanks to a well-paced layout, anyone is easily charmed into just staying a little while longer. There is such a natural ebb and flow to the way the pieces have been arranged that neither imposes nor leaves one perplexed.
Imagine my joy when I discovered that three pieces I had refreshed repeatedly online were on display, side by side! Lined up together, their arrangement was reminiscent of Orion’s Belt.
Quirky by nature, seeing “27” by Yong Kah Kin (Singapore) up close is such a treat. The piece is incredibly grounding, despite an imaginative setting. Upon closer look, you realise the girl is smiling. Pressed against her chest is a teddy bear. At ease, could the child be finally dreaming? A paper sailboat, a toy many Singaporeans have folded from scrap paper drifts by. Perhaps, it is okay to hold on to what you wish for, even when the very thing you need may be out of reach for now.
Then, there’s “Day Out” by Ling Yang Chang (Singapore), whose strong ink control distils courage and chance. Between the pair of boys, there is no knowing who is the guest on that day out. Maybe both of them were on the way to meet someone important. A car is by the side, almost nearing the edge and becoming one with the shimmery whorls of blue. When you step some distance away to admire the 75cm by 46cm art piece, the mixed media seem to blur into the outlines of a well-woven nest. To gain an adventure (or insight), I guess one must depart from where they began.