Art Piece
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Title: Grounding Points: Settling In, 2023
Artist: Aki HassanMedium: Stainless steel, fibreglass
Size: 270 x 120 x 120 cm
Display Location: Eco Garden
Title: Grounding Points: Settled, 2023 Artist: Aki Hassan Medium: Stainless steel, fibreglass
Size: 280 x 180 x 50 cm
Display Location: Eco Garden
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| First commissioned by the Singapore Art Museum as part of its "The Everyday Museum” public art initiative from 2023 to 2025
Singapore artist Aki Hassan created two sculptures that are currently displayed at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH). Originally commissioned by the Singapore Art Museum, these works explore themes of mutual support and connection, having once stood at opposite ends of Duxton Plain Park (29 Apr 2023 – 9 Mar 2025).
Called "Grounding Points: Settled" and "Grounding Points: Settling In", each sculpture combines two different materials that lean on each other for support. While they might look perfectly balanced from far away, up close they signify a sense of reliance and interdependence to remain standing – echoing the way we all need support from others in our mental health journeys.
The artist took inspiration from things we see around us every day – both natural and human-made. The sculptures illustrate how diverse elements can coexist and collaborate, symbolising how our differences can work in harmony through essential support resources such as community and professional care in mental health recovery.
One of Aki's main inspirations was the Indian Rubber tree and its root system. While these roots can be destructive as they spread, Aki sees beauty in how they help hold up the entire tree. It is like when we use wooden stakes to help young trees grow straight – a way of supporting something as it develops. This mirrors how support systems, whether they're family, friends, or healthcare providers, can help anchor and strengthen someone during their healing process.
The works remind us that seeking and accepting support is not a sign of weakness, but rather a natural part of human experience.
These sculptures are on loan to IMH, courtesy of The DUO Collection and Aki Hassan.
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Title: International Women’s Day Punch Needle Embroidery Tapestry
Artist: Co-created by 100 volunteersMedium: Punch needle on fabric
Size: 200 x 200 cm
Display Location: Atrium
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In commemoration of International Women's Day 2025, individuals from all walks of life came together to create this textile artwork. Through the process of punch needling, participants channelled their creativity while raising awareness about violence against women and girls in partnership with key sponsor Zonta Club of Singapore, and advocating for mental wellness alongside beneficiary Institute of Mental Health.
The resulting tapestry demonstrates how individual contributions can weave together to create something greater than the sum of its parts – a visual metaphor for community strength and resilience.
At IMH, we believe in the power of art to heal. Each stitch of yarn represents a voice, a story, and a statement of solidarity. This gift from ELPIS @ Hideout exemplifies how collective creativity can foster connection, inspire dialogue, and create spaces for recovery and reflection.
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Title: Hope After Darkness Artist: Desmond Chin Medium: Acrylic on Paper (framed)
Size: 37 x 48.5cm each
Display Location: Innovation Hub (CHI@IMH)
| | "Birds sing after a storm; why shouldn’t people feel as free to delight in whatever sunlight remains to them?" – Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy
I set out to create a series of paintings that tell an ongoing story, capturing the transition from greyscale to colour. At some point in life, we all face storms – but with time and support, they pass, allowing colour to return to our world.
As for me, I’m still waiting, patiently holding on…
As a child, I was often described as cheerful and bright. When I was nine and my grandfather passed away, something shifted. I began to lose interest in school, acted out, and withdrew. My struggles were not well understood. During my teenage years, I was often misunderstood and blamed for things I did not do. I was seen as disruptive and talentless, and eventually, I started to believe it. At one point, being suspended from school felt like a relief.
For years, I denied the darkness I felt inside. Eventually, I stopped resisting and accepted it as part of who I am. That shift did not solve everything, but it allowed me to stop fighting myself. After missing a school enrolment, I felt lost and directionless. But when I eventually returned to my studies, things slowly began to improve. I made good friends, and for the first time in a long while, I started to feel more stable.
Therapy helped me find words for what I had kept bottled up. Later, I joined art therapy, which gave me the chance to create without being judged. In school, I was made to sit outside during art class. Now, painting gives me focus, release, and a sense of pride. It is not always easy. I hold myself to high standards, and I still doubt my abilities. But making art has become a way to process my thoughts, even when I do not have the words.
I may not be fully healed, and maybe I never will be. The darkness is still there, but I have learnt to live with it. It is part of me, and perhaps it always will be. Hope After Darkness reflects that quiet shift — from denial to acceptance, from pain to creation, from shadow to colour.
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Title: Rainbow Zebras
Artist: Maree DavidsonMedium: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 67cm x 90cm Display Location: Innovation Hub (CHI@IMH) Price: $4,000
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| This piece radiates a sense of grace and sophistication, capturing the essence of the animal kingdom through delicate craftsmanship and vivid colours. It infuses its environment with a vibrant burst of energy, evoking feelings of happiness, joy, and hope. The vivid hues not only breathe new life into their surroundings but also symbolise healing and the promise of renewal. Emerging from darkness, the colours represent the transition to new light, illuminating the path forward with optimism. These colours inspire a brighter, more dynamic atmosphere, fostering a sense of growth and life.
An interpretation by Sabrina Tan and Jasmine Lee, the donors of this piece of art.
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Title: Angel The English Bulldog
Artist: Maree DavidsonMedium: Print on Canvas Size: 50cm x 37cm
Display Location: Innovation Hub (CHI@IMH)
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This piece symbolises the unwavering support of a true companion or partner, reminding us that they will always have your back. In times of hardship and pain, their loyalty, love, and partnership shine through, offering strength and comfort when needed most. It serves as a beautiful reminder that, with the right person by your side, you are never alone—and together, you can overcome even the darkest moments.
An interpretation by Sabrina Tan and Jasmine Lee, the donors of this piece of art.
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Title: A Sky Full of Dreams
Artist: A collaborative work of art by IMH volunteers RH, CY and TMMedium: Chalk Art
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This piece captures the aspirations and hopes for IMH held by our IMH family, each represented by a shooting star floating just within reach. The whimsical humanoids reaching out to “catch” the stars mirror our devotion to continuous progress — always striving for something greater for our society. We hope the burst of colour will serve as a constant reminder that the future is bright, and that there is beauty in striving towards our shared vision for IMH.
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Title: Old Capitol Theatre, Singapore
Artist: Ms Lyn AngMedium: Oils on Canvas
Display Location: Annex Level 4
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Designed in the Neo-Classical style, the Capitol Theatre, located at the junction of North Bridge Road and Stamford Road, was built in 1929 by the British architectural firm Keys and Dowdeswell, who also designed the Fullerton Building and Singapore General Hospital. For decades, the theatre was Singapore's premier cinema destination until it underwent significant renovations in the late 1980s, reopening in 1992 as the Capitol Building for shops and offices. The artist chose to paint the Capitol Theatre as a tribute to the warm, happy memories she shared with her family there, watching movies—moments that continue to inspire her art.
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Title: Keukenhof Gardens, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Artist: Ms Selina SeeMedium: Oils on Canvas (Unframed)
Display Location: Annex Basement 1
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Keukenhof, also known as the Garden of Europe, is one of the world’s largest flower gardens, located in the municipality of Lisse, Netherlands. Opened in 1950, Keukenhof Park spans 32 hectares and features approximately 7 million flower bulbs planted annually. While it is renowned for its tulips, the garden also showcases a variety of other flowers, including hyacinths, daffodils, lilies, roses, carnations, and irises. Inspired by her deep love for nature and flowers, the artist created this painting to share that passion, calling it her “ODE TO JOY.”
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Title: Chinatown Marketplace in the 1980s
Artist: Mr Sim Kah LinMedium: Watercolour on paper
Display Location: Annex Level 4
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Sim Kah Lim lives with schizophrenia and is a self-taught artist. He paints scenes of old Singapore from memory as he has spent most of his adulthood at the Institute of Mental Health. He continues to paint regularly and some of his works have been sold at The Affordable Art Fair, Singapore (2015 and 2016).
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Title: A Homely Charm
Artist: Ms Nie JieyiMedium: Watercolour
Size: 28cm x 38cm
Display Location: Annex Level 4
Price: $800
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This painting beautifully captures a tranquil retreat, bathed in soft light and surrounded by nature’s gentle embrace. The warmth of the house and the vibrant green trees evoke a sense of calm and connection to the natural world, reminding us of the comfort and safety of a welcoming home. It represents a sanctuary, a place where one can rest and restore, a gentle reminder that healing often begins in spaces filled with warmth, familiarity, and peace. For all who view it, may this painting inspire a sense of belonging and the reassurance that they are in a safe haven, one that nurtures both body and mind.
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Title: Loving Flamingos in the Park
Artist: Ms Nie Jieyi
Medium: Watercolour
Size: 38cm x 28cm
Display Location: Annex Level 4
Price: $800
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This vibrant abstract painting captures two loving flamingos in a serene park setting, symbolising the beauty of connection and support in our lives. The bright colours and fluid forms reflect the uplifting energy of nature, reminding us that, like these graceful birds, we thrive in the warmth of love, family, and friendship. This artwork serves as a poignant reminder that, even amidst challenges, the bonds we share can bring light and joy to our journey, promoting healing and hope for all who view it. It embodies the essence of community and the importance of nurturing our mental well-being through meaningful relationships.
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| Title: Gather the Children
Artist: Roy Lim
Medium: Watercolour on paper (Framed)
Size: 38cm X 56cm Display Location: Annex Level 4
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| This watercolour painting by Dr Roy Lim captures the timeless charm of the historic building at 23B Coleman Street, which has served various roles over the decades. Originally constructed as the Anglo-Chinese School and later transformed into the Singapore Philatelic Museum, this iconic structure has recently been reborn as the Singapore Children's Museum. Today, the walls of this building echo with the laughter of children, as they explore, learn, and create.
The painting celebrates the building’s resilience and cultural legacy, with careful attention to its colonial architectural details. The building's elegant, symmetrical facade and traditional red-tiled roof are rendered with precision, paying homage to its heritage while evoking a sense of continuity through time. Despite its numerous roles, the building’s essence remains unchanged, now serving as a beacon for education, wonder, and the joyous energy of childhood.
Through this artwork, Dr Roy Lim invites viewers to reflect on Singapore’s evolving cultural landscape and the enduring importance of preserving spaces that foster learning, creativity, and laughter for future generations.
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Title: Blooming Together
Artist: A Collaborative Work by Patients in Mental Health Recovery Medium: Acrylic on Canvas Size: 5ft x 5ft
Display Location: Block 5 Level 1
Price: $1000
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Blooming Together is a vibrant expression of hope, resilience, and growth created by individuals on their mental health recovery journey. The artwork bursts with life, featuring an intricate tapestry of colours, flowers, and patterns that symbolise the beauty of diversity and unity. The layered blooms and joyful swirls reflect how recovery is not a linear path but a shared experience, marked by both challenges and moments of brightness. Each bold stroke and vivid hue celebrates the artists’ courage to express themselves while highlighting the importance of community, creativity, and support in mental health recovery. Blooming Together invites us to embrace the colourful complexities of the human spirit and reminds us that, like flowers, we all have the potential to grow and flourish, especially when nurtured by compassion and understanding.
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Title: Fields of Growth
Artist: A Collaborative Work by Patients in Mental Health Recovery Medium: Acrylic on Canvas Size: 5ft x 5ft
Display Location: Block 5 Level 1
Price: $1000
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Fields of Growth captures the beauty of healing and transformation through its dynamic array of colourful flowers. Each bloom, painted with care and creativity, represents an individual story—growth, strength, and a renewed sense of purpose. The intertwining stems and leaves symbolise the deep connections formed within a supportive community, where individuals thrive together despite life’s challenges.
The white background offers a sense of openness and possibility, allowing the vibrant colours to shine through as a reminder that recovery, much like a field of flowers, is a process of patience, nurture, and hope. Fields of Growth inspires viewers to see beauty in the journey, encouraging us all to embrace life’s seasons of renewal and possibility.
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 Title: Blooming Through Adversity
Artist: A Collaborative Work by Patients in Mental Health Recovery
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas Size: 5ft x 5ft
Display Location: Block 5 Level 1
Price: $1000
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This artwork expresses hope, resilience, and the complexity of healing. The vibrant colours—reds, greens, yellows, blues, and purples—represent the range of emotions experienced during recovery. The swirling patterns and overlapping shapes evoke transformation and personal growth, highlighting the non-linear journey of healing.
Amid the vivid chaos, beauty and harmony emerge, symbolising how recovery can arise from turmoil. Floral and organic shapes represent renewal and reconnection, illustrating blossoming despite challenges. The painting celebrates creativity as a therapeutic tool, reminding us that within every struggle lies potential for growth and healing.
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Title: Colours of Resilience Artist: A Collaborative Work by Patients in Mental Health Recovery Medium: Acrylic on Canvas Size: 5ft x 5ft
Display Location: Block 5 Level 1
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This piece reflects the journey toward healing, connection, and growth. Bold swirls, colourful patterns, and blooming floral motifs symbolise the resilience of the human spirit and the power of transformation. Each stroke and shape intertwines, illustrating how recovery is both personal and collective.
The rich palette of yellows, greens, reds, and blues evokes joy, hope, and renewed energy, while the layered patterns highlight recovery as a process—a tapestry woven from challenges, support, and moments of triumph. Just as flowers bloom in unexpected ways, this piece celebrates the beauty that arises when individuals come together, express themselves, and embrace their wellness journeys. It is a reminder that mental health recovery is not just about surviving but thriving—finding colour, meaning, and life in every moment.
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