Kumari Nahappan (b. 1953, Klang, Selangor, Malaysia) stands as a seminal figure in the Singaporean art landscape. Celebrated for her interdisciplinary artworks that seamlessly blend contemporary flair with profound cultural narratives, her practice over the past three decades has engaged in international contemporary art dialogue while remaining deeply rooted in her heritage and beliefs. In reconciling these two worlds, she has crafted a visual identity uniquely her own, establishing an oeuvre shaped by a vocabulary rich in cultural nuance that resonates with a global audience.
Graduating in interior design from Willesden College of Technology in London, Nahappan brought her keen understanding of space back to Malaysia, where she embarked on a career in teaching at the college with a practice in parallel design.
After relocating to Singapore in 1989, her artistic trajectory underwent a significant transformation, leading to her transition into the realm of fine art. She studied at LASALLE College of the Arts before earning a Master of Fine Art from RMIT University in Melbourne. Her decision to pursue art full-time at the age of 37 was swiftly validated when she was recognised as a promising artist at the 12th Shell Discovery even before her graduation. The late Brother Joseph McNally, founder of LASALLE, championed her first solo exhibition upon graduation.
Nahappan’s body of work encapsulates a dynamic blend of painting, sculpture, and installation, often drawing upon natural motifs and her traditional Hindu upbringing. These rich narratives, expressed through form, colour, and texture, invite viewers to contemplate phenomena that have fascinated humanity for millennia—especially time, space, and ritual. Chili peppers, saga seeds, nutmegs, and other natural elements have become mainstays in her visual lexicon, serving as symbols of life’s vibrancy and potential. Extending beyond the confines of galleries and museums, her iconic commissions have become defining elements of the urban cityscape. Notable examples include Nutmeg and Mace at ION Orchard, Pedas-Pedas at the National Museum Singapore, and Pembungaan at OUE Bayfront.
In recent years, Nahappan has also turned her attention toward environmental advocacy initiatives such as The Upcycling Project with Singapore Airlines (SIA), Art in the Night Race in 2023 called The New Floodlights, which was a repurposing of the floodlights into sculptures, and Wings of Change at the Light to Night Festival 2024.
Beyond her studio practice, Nahappan has played a key role in mentoring and collaborative projects. She has contributed her expertise to various programs, including speaking engagements and teaching positions at educational institutions in Singapore, engagement initiatives with home-schooled children during the COVID-19 lockdowns, and the development of artworks for the Singapore Art Museum Touch Collection for individuals with disabilities. She is also a member of the Art Advisory Panel for the Art in Transit public art program of the Singapore Land Transport Authority.
Nahappan was awarded the Luminary designation by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry in recognition of her contributions to the arts and culture and was named Artist of the Year at the 15th Shanghai Art Fair in 2011.
Kumari Nahappan lives and works in Singapore.