London-based illustrator Tess Smith-Roberts is making her solo debut in Singapore with a pop-up exhibition titled "Hello Singapore!" at the newly opened Heartware Store & Gallery in Joo Chiat, running from 25th April to 25th May 2025. The free-entry exhibition features a whimsical collection of colorful artworks, sculptures, silkscreen prints, and merchandise, all centered on playful motifs of animals, fruits, and food. Smith-Roberts, known for her bold and humorous style, has previously exhibited in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Seoul, and during the opening weekend she drew live portraits of visitors.
The exhibition matters because it introduces a distinctive international illustrator to a Singapore audience in a novel, community-oriented space that blends art gallery with vintage knick-knack store. The Heartware Store & Gallery, inspired by the founders' collection of "odd joys," offers an accessible, free-entry venue that encourages casual art appreciation. This event reflects a growing trend of pop-up exhibitions in non-traditional spaces, making contemporary art more approachable and integrated into everyday local culture.