Sparrow Friends

By Serene Keen

For the artist, sparrows have always been quiet companions. In Singapore, these small birds bring with them a sense of lightness, joy, and unexpected peace. Their presence serves as a gentle reminder to find beauty in the unnoticed. In this work, the sparrow becomes a symbol of everyday grace. Much like treasured mahjong kakis, sometimes fondly called “sparrow friends” (麻雀朋友), they represent shared moments, quiet joys, and enduring companionship. Reflection question: 麻雀朋友 — what are the smallest things in your life that bring the greatest happiness?

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-005

Medium: Chinese Ink

Dimensions (WxH): 47cm x 58cm