Building and Visualising An Illustrator’s Life: An Honest Conversation for Aspiring Illustrators
PanelChloe Chang, Felishia Henditirto, Philip Giordano | Moderator: Melissa Candrasaputra
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An honest conversation with illustrators on building sustainable careers in a region that often undervalues creative work. Covering creative opportunities, financial realities, and unconventional paths, this panel offers practical insights and encouragement for aspiring illustrators navigating a life that demands resilience, adaptability, and self-defined success.
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Chloe Chang (Singapore)
Chloe Chang is an award winning illustrator based in sunny Singapore, where she spends her time reading, drawing, and applying sunblock lotion. Chloe has since worked in both television and print as an illustrator and character designer. She was awarded the inaugural Illustrator of the Year in 2024.
Felishia Henditirto (Indonesia)
Felishia Henditirto is an Indonesian illustrator specialising in children’s literature. Her work combines whimsical storytelling with vivid illustrations that explore everyday life and meaningful moments. Felishia’s recent publications include Maya Loves the Sun by Disha Mathur, Forest Bath by Jen Barton, and Sometimes We Pray by Mary Wagley Copp (2026), Her illustrations have been featured in the Asian Festival of Children’s Content (AFCC) in Singapore and the Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava (BIB) in Slovakia. Passionate about inspiring young readers and fellow artists, Felishia is dedicated to bringing stories from imagination to life, offering insights into the creative process and contemporary children’s literature. Felishia is represented by Astound US Illustration Agency.
Philip Giordano (Italy)
Philip has illustrated for major publications including The New York Times, Monocle, and The Boston Globe, designed toys for the renowned French company Djeco, and created large-scale installations for public spaces such as Lotte and IFS shopping centres in Asia. Despite this diverse experience, picture books remain at the heart of his artistic practice. Known for simple, colourful shapes, iconic characters, and graphic landscapes, his style transforms stories into vivid visual journeys. His techniques range from digital collage to traditional painting on wood.
His work has been featured in American Illustration, Communication Arts, and has earned prestigious awards, including the Bologna/SM International Illustration Prize, a Silver Medal from the Society of Illustrators NY, the White Raven Award, selection at the Biennial of Illustration in Lisbon, and the Prix des Adultes and Prix des Médiateurs – Figure-Future at Montreuil. He has served on juries for major events such as the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, Chen Bochui International Children’s Literature Award (CICLA) / Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair, and Sharjah International Book Fair.
Melissa Candrasaputra (Singapore)
Melissa Candrasaputra is an author-illustrator and freelance creative. She loves print media so much that you will likely find her reading a paperback or a magazine at the kopitiam under her HDB block. Melissa co-authored and illustrated “Our Feelings” bilingual series, and was shortlisted finalist of 2025 Illustrator of the Year. She is also the overall creative force behind the book SITE.MA: Singapore in the Eyes of Mother Artists (2024). Melissa was born in Semarang, Indonesia, before moving to Singapore at the age of fifteen.
Programme dates and times are subject to change.