Photos by Shayne

Photography by Qloud Collective & Villa Oasis Collective

Petals of Longevity

2025

Ceramic

19 x 18 x 16 cm

Growing up, I often ate Png kueh, a traditional Teochew rice cake, without realising it is shaped after the longevity peach. Its form always appeared abstract to me, and it was only much later that I came to understand its symbolic reference. Like many others, I had not recognised this connection before. This quiet discovery became a point of fascination and reflection. The experience of finding deep cultural meaning in something so familiar became central to the work.

The peach body in these pieces represents the Longevity Peach, famously known in Chinese mythology as one of the Peaches of Immortality. According to legend, these sacred fruits ripen once every thousand years in the heavens and grant immortality to those who consume them.

Petals of Longevity was created using rare vintage Peranakan Png kueh moulds, discovered in one of the antique shops in Singapore. These moulds embody the symbolic language and humble craftsmanship of folk artisans. To preserve and reveal their intricate details, clay was pressed into the moulds with careful adjustments to thickness and clarity, and then cast in plaster. This process allowed the impressions to be cleanly extracted and repeated, resulting in a deliberate arrangement around the peach body.

Layered with signs, memories, and cultural meanings, Petals of Longevity invites viewers to reflect on what is preserved, forgotten, and rediscovered across generations. Ultimately, this creation is a warm homage to those who celebrate their culture, enchanting all with its rosy hues and timeless myths.