The Worlds We Share — Peace and Friendship Through Picture Books
PanelThe Cabin Company, David Liew, Michiko Matsukata, Priscilla Tey
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What can a picture book say that words alone cannot? To open the exhibition "Peace and Friendship: An SJ60 Picture Book Exhibition from Singapore and Japan" commemorating the 60 years of diplomatic relationships between Singapore and Japan, curators and artists from Singapore and Japan come together to reflect on how art made for children can carry the weightiest of themes: peace, friendship, and the worlds we want to build. Joining the conversation are Singaporean illustrator, Priscilla Tay, and Oita-based Japanese artist duo The Cabin Company (Kentaro Abe and Saki Yoshioka). A rare opportunity to hear from some of the most distinctive picture book makers working across both countries today.
“Peace and Friendship: An SJ60 Picture Book Exhibition from Singapore and Japan” is co-organised with JCC and Chihiro Art Museum, and supported by Naomi Kojima.
readingwritingillustrationworldbuildingstorytellingmultiplatform adaptation
The Cabin Company (Japan)
THE CABIN COMPANY is an art unit consisting of Kentaro Abe (1989-) and Saki Yoshioka (1988-), and mainly writes picture books. They also have many other paintings and three dimensional works. They formed the unit in 2009. They graduated from the Faculty of Education and Welfare Science, Oita University in 2011. Their solo exhibition titled DodoSanka toured five cities in Japan from 2024 to 2025. They are currently working on a closed school as an atelier.
David Liew
David Liew, an illustrator of children’s books, also crafts miniature worlds. Formerly a junior college teacher, he transitioned to professional illustration. His works include series like Ellie Belly, The Plano Adventures, and Change Makers. Liew instructs Picture Book illustration at the National Institute of Early Childhood Education and teaches art at Republic Polytechnic. He serves as Regional Advisor for the Singapore Chapter of the Society of Children’s Books and Illustrators.
Michiko Matsukata (Japan)
Michiko Matsukata is a curator at the Chihiro Art Museum since 2003 and has curated exhibitions such as Contemporary Picture Book Illustrations from Korea, Polish Picture Book Artists, Ib Spang Olsen: The Soul of Denmark, and most recently, Józef Wilkoń, Painter at 96- Master of Poland. She also was in charge of exhibitions of Chihiro Iwasaki and Japanese Picture Book Artists held in several Asian countries. Besides curating exhibitions, her responsibilities include looking after the museum library as well as the educational programmes.
Priscilla Tey (Singapore)
Priscilla Tey is an award-winning illustrator, multimedia artist and author. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), she works with a variety of media from watercolour, to digital illustration and large scale installations. Priscilla is internationally known for her books In-Between Things, and Counting in Dog Years (Candlewick Press), which have received praise from The Wall Street Journal and The New York Public Library. Her book The Vicious Cycle will also be published in late 2026 by Macmillan Publishers (US).
Programme dates and times are subject to change.