The Chic Home: Reflections of life in Singapore through artist’s paintings

SINGAPORE – Before Russia-born British artist Irina Forrester moved to Singapore from Britain with her family more than seven years ago, she took a hiatus from her art to raise a young family.

With the relocation and her sons – now aged 23 and 20 – all grown up, the 56-year-old took the opportunity to pick up her brushes again.

On how she familiarised herself with art again, Forrester says: “I attended a series of short courses at Lasalle College of the Arts and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. I am an active member of some of Singapore’s life figure and portrait drawing groups, which helps me keep my eyes sharp.”

In the last three years alone, she has exhibited in more than 40 shows and art fairs. And her artworks take pride of place in her Singapore home, a condominium in Scotts Road.

The apartment, which is about 2,000 sq ft, checked all the boxes for the couple. Its four bedrooms offered space for their master bedroom; a guest bedroom for their sons – who are living in Europe – when they visit; a studio space for Forrester; and a home office for her husband known only as John, 59, who is a partner in a law firm.

As the couple are renting the apartment, Forrester focused on decorating the interiors instead of renovating in a big way.

Most of the key furniture pieces and furnishing items moved with the family when they relocated from Britain.

Others – such as tableware, decorative vases, cushions and faux flowers – were bought from Tangs Homeware, Takashimaya, Hooga, Iuga and Island Living, to reflect the family’s life in Singapore. She spent about $5,000 on these and took a few months to decorate the apartment.

The experiences of the past seven years are also captured in Forrester’s paintings that fill the apartment – scenes of the Botanic Gardens and Fort Canning, local flora and still-life pieces with local fruit.

On a sideboard in the living room, wooden hand-carved decorative durians from Island Living – the only specimens Forrester allows at home – sit alongside family photos, which add a touch of warmth to the space.

The apartment’s overall look of the interior is modern and contemporary, with plenty of textures and muted tones, as well as natural materials, wood and glass.

In the master bedroom, for instance, taking centre stage is wood furniture pieces including a bed frame, side tables and a chest of drawers.

Complementing the ensemble are pops of colour from the textiles, throws and cushions, along with portraits of the couple’s sons when they were younger and life drawings on the walls.

Like the rest of the rooms, Forrester’s studio is blessed with abundant natural light. The space is kept flexible, so she can move her easel and work area around according to her needs.

“I wanted to create a home away from home, a place which reflects my aesthetics and filled with familiar objects and new additions that we collect living abroad,” she says.

The Chic HomeDesign and LivingDesign