Torch ginger paper sculpture, mushroom coffee table: S’pore works debut at Venice craftsmanship show
Words and Photgraphs by: Lim Yaohui
Food has always been a part of the Singapore identity, so it is no surprise that it is the theme of the work of two artists who will represent Singapore at the Homo Faber 2026 exhibition in Venice in September.
Paper artist Koh Pei Li has crafted Torch Ginger, a botanical sculpture over 50cm tall made out of parchment and washi papers, and mixed media, while Ng Sze Kiat, founder of home-grown mycological design studio Bewilder, has created a coffee table made from mushrooms.
Both works are Singapore’s first foray at the fourth edition of Homo Faber, an international biennial exhibition celebrating contemporary craftsmanship.
The exhibition at the Fondazione Giorgio Cini cultural institution will showcase more than 700 handcrafted objects by around 500 artisans from more than 70 countries from Sept 1 to 30.
Paper artist Koh Pei Li using a brush to touch up floral sculptures from her previous installation at Cavenagh Bridge, now on display at ACM.
Koh, 41, who is the founder of art practice PeiPer and co-founder of PeiPer Arts School, will be in Venice for the event, where she will give live demonstrations on Sept 1, as well as to the media and guests a few days before the show opens. Visitors can witness how she processes different types of paper using techniques like watercolour, acrylic ink and pastels to transform them into an art piece.
Koh with the elements that make up her torch ginger botanical sculpture, which will be exhibited at Homo Faber 2026 in Venice from Aug 28 to Sept 1.
Koh and Ng are the first and only artisans to represent Singapore at the exhibition since it started in September 2018.
Koh adding pastels to the bracts of her torch ginger botanical sculpture to give depth to the whole artwork.
Spraying varnish on the bracts for her torch ginger botanical sculpture in her studio on Aug 20.
On why she chose to make a torch ginger sculpture, Koh told The Straits Times: “The torch ginger flower is so beautiful, but nobody really showcases it or talks about it. I also find it very interesting because it’s the flower used in rojak and it is often used in food, which is linked to our heritage, culture and roots.”
Koh shaping a paper Egyptian blue lotus (Nymphaea caerulea) with her fingers before making a giant version for the Lilytopia floral display at Gardens by the Bay, which is on until Sept 27.
A spokesperson for the Homo Faber sourcing team said of Koh: “As an expert artisan who has mastered her craft and now teaches others, she is used to sharing her experiences and explaining the techniques and skills behind her work. She is sure to be an inspiring presence as she demonstrates her craft in this space.”
Koh, whose dream is to have a solo exhibition revolving around paper sculptures, ventured into craft in September 2014, when she started her own wedding business, doing wedding styling and making paper flowers and red packets.
In 2022, she started PeiPer – a play on her name and the material she loves – and PeiPer Arts School, where she conducts craft lessons for children in Mandarin and takes on commissioned works.
Koh’s torch ginger sculpture stands at more than 50cm tall and has a realistic texture.
Dr Jana Leong-Skornickova, keeper of the Herbarium and a principal researcher focusing on gingers at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, visited Koh at her studio at New Bahru on Aug 25 after the artwork was finished and was impressed by what she saw.
Leong-Skornickova said: “For gingers, what is really important is how the bracts and leaf sheaths are arranged, and the arrangement is perfectly accurate. The form, size, proportions and colours look perfect. I am also amazed by the realistic texture conveying its waxy, semi-translucent feel.”
“As a ginger researcher, I’m very happy with the choice of this plant, because torch ginger, locally known as kantan, has a very unique flavour and is used as a secret ingredient in local cooking,” she added, noting that it is one of the most beautiful and iconic plants in the South-east Asian region.
Koh made a trip to the Ginger Garden at the Singapore Botanic Gardens to try to match the colour of the real torch ginger flower to her paper sculpture version.
Ng’s work in the exhibition, An Atelier Alive With The Weight Of Nothingness, consists of mushrooms grown within a mould and directed towards the crystal glass tabletop, with textures controlled through the timing of exposure to air and light.
Known for his work with fungi, Ng, 46, said: “As a design studio/farm that works exclusively with fungi, we are adamant on staying true to the fungal vision and to continue to push and blur boundaries.”
Bewilder, the design studio he founded in 2020, works exclusively with fungi, producing collectible mycelium artworks, fungal bouquets and native gourmet mushrooms.
An Atelier Alive With The Weight Of Nothingness is a coffee table made from mushrooms, showcasing the strength of mycelium as a sustainable material. PHOTO: John Tay
Besides working on the torch ginger sculpture, Koh has been busy with two other projects over the past few months for the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) and Gardens by the Bay.
Koh holding a foam board while spraying her giant flowers for an installation at the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM).
Koh touching up the floral sculptures from her previous installation at Cavenagh Bridge, now on display at ACM.
Echoes In Bloom, consisting of larger-than-life flowers, was installed at Cavenagh Bridge for the ACM from October 2025 for four months. It has since been repurposed and was relocated to the museum in August, for the foreseeable future.
For this piece, each aluminium blossom draws on floral motifs from three objects in the ACM’s collection – a copper and enamel dish, a cotton jacket and a palampore textile.
“We hope Echoes In Bloom encourages visitors to look more closely at our collections and see how historical objects can continue to inspire new art,” said Lum Jia Yi, assistant director (audience, communications and digital) at ACM and Peranakan Museum.
Koh gets her inspiration from observing little details around her, especially when she goes running. She says that running trains her physical and mental strength to work on her art pieces. It also helps her to discover plants for her next project.
Koh using paint to cover up scuff marks sustained by her works when they were transported to the museum for installation.
Koh selecting colours using a Pantone chart for contractors to match the colours of paint used on the giant versions of her art pieces for the Lilytopia floral display.
Her projects always start from small paper models so she can ensure that what she envisions is translated to the final piece. She also explores materials other than paper for her giant outdoor sculptures so that they are weather-worthy.
Koh painting the paper petals of a pink lotus flower before scaling the flower up into a giant version for Lilytopia.
Koh fixing the bracts on Torch Ginger in her studio.
There are marks on Koh’s nose bridge from prolonged wearing of a respirator when she is spray-painting her works.
Koh preparing to give a live demonstration for media, VIPs, and special guests at Homo Faber 2026 in Venice on Aug 28. PHOTO: Symond Lim
Today, her permanent public art installations can be found at Alexandra Hospital and Lucine by LUNA cafe in 111 Somerset.
She added: “I find a lot of joy in sharing my passion with others. I never knew that a pair of hands can create so much.”