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Be Inspired by History
Design Meets Heritage
Sat, 13 Sep 2025
In this vibrant panel, discover how local creatives weave heritage into fashion, handcrafted objects and public art, transforming history into bold new cultural expressions. In their respective creative practices, the speakers will reflect on how art and design can be enriched and enlivened by heritage, and in turn make heritage more accessible, sensorial and engaging. The session will kick off with a series of short presentations, followed by a moderated conversation exploring common themes, challenges and insights. As part of the #NLBInspiredByHistory campaign, audiences will be invited to take part in a content creation activity at the end of the session.
About the Panellists
Afton Chen is the co-founder and lead designer of Reckless Ericka, a Singapore-based fashion label founded in 2009. Her work blends in-house prints, retro-feminine silhouettes and sustainable production, with each piece rooted in curiosity, courage and a distinctly Singaporean point-of-view. Drawing inspiration from heritage, literature and film, Afton reimagines archival and cultural references into contemporary, wearable pieces that celebrate individuality, culture and the art of living boldly.
James Lee founded the leather book covers and accessories design studio ARKADEMIE in 2018. As a practicing interior, furniture and product designer for over 35 years, he is passionate about creating meaningful, durable and timeless objects to "preserve the legacies" of their owners when the objects are handed down from one generation to the next. Notions of history, traditions, heritage and memory are thus integral to every object collection designed and handcrafted. He also teaches at Nanyang Technological University's School of Art, Design and Media (ADM).
Gwen Rae, a.k.a. Gwenster, is an artist whose work is full of energy and heart, inspired by growing up in a traditional Chinese family with strong expectations. Her art playfully melds elements of Chinese mythology with a touch of endearing cuteness. Through bold colours and characters, she also shares her own story and shines a light on the strength of those who feel suppressed – cheering them on and turning quiet struggles into loud, colourful screams of rebellion.
Adapting the Past
Sat, 27 Sep 2025
In this thought-provoking panel, join two acclaimed authors as they explore how memory, imagination and local history intertwine within their fictional worlds. Drawing from their experiences writing The Showgirl and the Minister and Someone is Coming respectively, Felix Cheong and T.A. Morton will reflect on their creative journeys and how the collections of the National Library and National Archives of Singapore have informed their work. The session will begin with short presentations by each speaker, followed by a moderated discussion on the role of history in storytelling and the possibilities and challenges of weaving heritage into literature. As part of the #NLBInspiredByHistory campaign, audiences will be invited to take part in a content creation activity at the end of the session.
About the Panellists
Felix Cheong has authored 31 books across different genres, from poetry to fiction. He has also written eight bestselling graphic novels and three opera librettos. His works have been widely anthologised and nominated for the Frank O’Connor Award and the Singapore Literature Prize. Conferred the Young Artist Award in 2000, Felix has been invited to writers’ festivals in Edinburgh, Austin, Sydney, Brisbane and Christchurch. He is one of the current recipients of the NLB Creative Residency.
T. A. Morton is an Irish-Australian author whose writing explores themes of identity, place and suspense. Her short fiction has been featured in The Lakeview International Journal of Arts and Literature and The Best Asian Short Stories anthology. She holds a Master's degree in Crime and Thriller Writing from the University of Cambridge. In 2020, she was shortlisted for both the Virginia Prize for Fiction and the Bridport Prize. Her novella Someone is Coming was published by Monsoon Books in 2022, and her latest novel, The Coffee Shop Masquerade, was released by Earnshaw Books in 2025. She was also a producer and co-host of The Asian Bookshelf podcast, which spotlights contemporary Asian writing. In addition to her fiction, Morton is engaged in literary research and writing on W. Somerset Maugham, with a particular focus on his life and work in Southeast Asia.
Local Heritage for the Digital Age
Sat, 2 Aug 2025
In this lively panel session, you'll meet the creators behind some of Singapore's most engaging heritage content as they share how they bring history to life for today's audiences. From unearthing little-known stories to crafting compelling digital experiences, the speakers will reflect on their creative journeys and how the collections of the National Library and National Archives have informed their work. The session will kick off with a series of short presentations, followed by a moderated conversation exploring common themes, challenges and insights.
About the Panellists
Lim Yee Hung is a property-turned-software developer. He co-founded HIDDEN SG in 2022, an immersive real-world game played on WhatsApp that enables players to uncover secret histories and interact with independent businesses in their local neighbourhoods.
Ho Yong Min is a passionate heritage educator and founder of The Urbanist Singapore, which has captivated over 70,000 followers on Instagram and TikTok with engaging digital storytelling on Singapore's history and urban design. Yong's journey began with an award-winning honours thesis at the National University of Singapore (NUS), earning the Preservation of Monuments Board's Best Thesis Award in 2009. Combining immersive heritage walks with social media content, Yong makes culture accessible to new audiences. His expertise has been featured in events like Singapore Heritage Fest and Design Week 2024, and he has been recognised by major media outlets. Formerly with Singapore Management University and NUS, Yong brings authenticity and a relatable approach to heritage education.
Benedict Yeo is the founder of @encounter.sg, a content and experience studio dedicated to bringing local heritage to life for the digital generation. An award-winning digital strategist and entrepreneur, he has led marketing and storytelling initiatives for brands like Google, Jeep and EDB. Yet, his passion for heritage is deeply personal — having lost his grandparents at a young age, he never had the chance to hear their stories or learn their dialect. That sense of loss now fuels his mission: to preserve and reimagine culture through digital storytelling that connects past and present.