States of Being: Me, You, Us

Watercolour mixed media, 2026

Wang Mo
Nanyang Girls’ High School

This series began in the wake of a personal disruption, a moment that prompted quiet reflection on human relationships and the emotional distances between us.The watercolours explore states of individuality, connection and shared existence. They consider the longing to be close despite difference, the inevitable drifting apart that occurs over time and the possibility that distance, rather than absence, can become a space for self-understanding. In its early stages, the series carried a melancholic stillness, shaped by introspection and a sense of emotional weight.
The trajectory of the work shifted when my daughter encountered the nearly completed paintings. While playing with invisible ink, she instinctively drew onto the surfaces: figures, symbols and gestures emerging through curiosity rather than intention. Visible only under UV light, her additions introduced a parallel, hidden world within the compositions. What once felt restrained became playful. Her marks animated the landscapes with warmth, spontaneity and joy, transforming the emotional register of the series.
This unexpected collaboration reframed the work, revealing how play can soften contemplation and how shared presence can coexist with solitude. The series now reflects a dialogue between quiet yearning and childlike imagination, holding space for both reflection and delight.
*Invisible ink drawings by Lee So Hee, 7 year-old (in collaboration)

What surprised you when you allowed yourself to start with play?

When I started with play, I discovered that letting go of control allowed meanings to surface that I could not plan or design.

What is one play hack you would like to share to help fellow teacher-artists experiment and create without expectations?

One play hack I would like to share is to pause before correcting and allow interruption, accident and curiosity to become part of the work.

Click here to view the artists’ process!

Read more about ►EDGE 2026 and the existing artworks.