The 3.5-meter-high sculpture, patinated with red and green pigment, is caught in a fluid, twisting movement amidst the white angular architecture of Interlace, conveying a playful and pulsating sensation.

Kumari has always been keen on exploring different types of energy. She discovered that, within the spectrum of taste, the chili stands at the top. It became a metaphor for high energy. The Twist evokes the physical, the earthly, and the bodily energy.

The form unfolds images, recognizable motifs, and symbols, speaking of the heritage of South Asian migrant communities that traveled to Malaya and Singapore. Simple yet profound, the artwork represents a confluence—a cultural melting pot of people from the region who put down their roots over time.

The sculpture is inspired by the kudam (Tamil: water pot) used for collecting water in South India. While the flowing lines represent ideas and trade networks, the rings of symbols allude to the cultural associations of the South Asian communities that migrated to Singapore.

Evoking nostalgic childhood memories of stumbling upon galaxies of ruby-like saga seeds nestled in the undergrowth of parks and sidewalks, the saga seed is not gregarious. Instead, it whispers and radiates a pervasive life force, pulsating with power from within its stasis.

The saga embodies internalized energy that transcends space and time. The humble seed prevails, surpassing its modest size and seemingly simple nature. Stemming from the idea that all energy is originally formless, as we all once were, the seeds in nature contain and nurture life, throbbing with an innate vitality and metaphysical energy.

‘Pembungaan’ means ‘blossoming’ in Malay, and as its name suggests, this monumental mural is an ode to the lushness of nature and its timeless rhythms.

Like the themes in her oeuvre, Kumari’s use of a local word for the artwork’s title imbues her work with a strong Southeast Asian identity.

It is a meditation on the eternal rhythm of nature, invoking its cyclical seasons—where each end is also the beginning of a new journey, from germination to fruition.

Inspired by the fleshy interior of the chili pepper and the maze of the nutmeg, the mural’s vegetal motifs weave a flowing design that moves like a wind-borne serenade from the façade of OUE@Bayfront into the building’s main lobby.

A symbol of life and considered the fruit of the earth, the unassuming rice grain is associated with purity and is seen as a blessing from the divine.

Created in a celebratory mood, the form pays homage to this life-giving source.

Saga seeds are deeply rooted in Singapore’s history and heritage. For SG50, Kumari displayed 50 blown-up crimson red saga seeds in fiberglass, scattering them throughout Empress Lawn. Each seed represented a year of Singapore’s independence.

Kumari sought to pay tribute to Singapore’s history as an independent state. The seeds were meant to convey a sense of growth and inspire energy in those who encountered them.

Bearing a rich historical connection to its site, ‘SARANGGONG’ (the Malay name for the stork bird) brings to life the association of a higher spirit. These birds were once commonly seen near the Serangoon River, lending the area its name.

In old-fashioned fairy tales, the stork was known for delivering babies to human beings. As powerful symbols of birth and new life, they also represent protection and motherhood. Their monogamous nature makes them excellent symbols of trust, loyalty, and fidelity.

In Chinese wisdom, being in the presence of a stork is believed to symbolise longevity and prosperity. With the ability to walk, wade, and fly in silence, the stork serves as a profound awakening symbol of life’s values.

The Grey Heron stands poised in graceful elegance, its wings spread wide as if embracing the bustling crowd at Jewel Changi Airport. Like a plane lifting into flight, the heron’s form captures a moment of quiet strength, symbolizing both patience and power. Its presence, suspended between stillness and motion, invites all who pass by to pause and reflect on the beauty of restraint. The sculpture echoes the quiet resilience found in nature, offering a sense of calm amidst the energy of travel.