Orangutan Legacy

By Serene Keen

Serene still holds dear the memory of Ah Meng, our beloved orangutan at Singapore Zoo. Like some foreign talent, they are versatile and playful and could thrive anywhere, yet they choose Singapore. Here, in this home of uprightness, humility, warmth, and quiet strength, much like the bamboo, they find their place. She hopes this cheeky monkey brings blessings of longevity and prosperity, flowing through generations like the enduring roots of the bamboo. Reflection question: 家竹 — What is it that makes a home strong and enduring, like the bamboo?

About

Serene Keen (黄金红) is a calligrapher and storyteller who weaves her bilingual world—thinking in English and feeling in Chinese — into deeply expressive art. Living in recovery from Schizophrenia, she channels her journey into works that balance order and emotion, echoing the Chinese phrase 序中藏狂 (wildness within structure). Serene works with both traditional ink and digital media, exploring themes of connection, nature, and meaning. Mostly self-taught, she is now pursuing formal studies at NAFA and will soon begin a Master’s in Arts and Cultural Entrepreneurship at NUS. Through her art and advocacy work at the Singapore Association for Mental Health, Serene continues to inspire others by showing how creativity can be a powerful path to healing and understanding.

SKU: SERE-003

Medium: Chinese Ink

Dimensions (WxH): 47cm x 59cm