EMMANUELLE WONG

Emmanuelle likes making art using oil paint, charcoal and Photoshop. She enjoys painting landscapes and nature. She loves illustrating animals too!

In Pintu Pagar of Baba House, Emmanuelle reimagines the ornate Peranakan doorway as both barrier and bridge. Through expressive acrylic brushstrokes and rich jewel-toned layers, she captures the craftsmanship and intimacy of domestic heritage. The floral motifs and shifting hues suggest voices from generations past — memories etched in wood, revived through colour and light.

For Emmanuelle, this work also marks a turning point in her creative journey. “Drawing, and other art forms, used to be a struggle for me until I started on this painting,” she reflects. “My approach, in this instance, was to enjoy the process.” That openness and rediscovery of joy can be felt in every brushstroke, inviting viewers to step closer and sense the warmth of stories that continue to live within these doors.

The pintu pagar (“fence door” in Baba Malay) is a half-height swing gate found in Peranakan terrace houses, positioned in front of the main door to allow air circulation while maintaining privacy and security. Some are elaborately carved on both sides with Chinese and European motifs, signalling the wealth of the homeowner.