Pomfret Blessings

By Serene Keen

Growing up in a Teochew Chinese household, Serene recalls that the presence of steamed pomfret at the dinner table always carried special meaning. Pomfret, though not inexpensive, but its preparation demands both patience and skill. When her mother served it, Serene understood it as an unspoken act of affection, a day when the family was being cared for with extra tenderness. Through this work, Serene offers a heartfelt reflection on heritage, tradition, and the depth of meaning that can be held in something as simple as a home-cooked dish. Reflection question: 年年有鱼 — why does a wild-caught fish, served with intention, remain such a powerful symbol of enduring blessing across generations?

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-004

Medium: Chinese Ink

Dimensions (WxH): 47cm x 58cm