Kelly Bassett, an American artist and long-term Singapore resident, has had a lifelong passion for plants and gardening. She earned a Certificate in Botanical Illustration from the RBGE in 2019 and will complete the diploma programme in 2025.

Kelly is active in the Botanical Art Society of Singapore, promoting Southeast Asian native plants through workshops and outreach programmes. She also belongs to the Indonesian Society of Botanical Artists and the American Association of Botanical Artists.

Her preferred media are graphite and watercolour. 

Title of the project

Taman Singapura

About the project

Taman Singapora, which means Singapore Garden” in Malay, is a heartfelt tribute to a garden I lovingly planted and cared for. Its a place where my children grew up, played, and discovered the wonders of nature - from caterpillars and butterflies to the many plants that filled it.

As we are moving to another home, we must sadly leave the garden behind. These paintings are my way of preserving the memories of our favourite plants, keeping the spirit of the garden alive with us! 

Artwork

 

 

Bamboo Orchid, Arundina graminifolia, 2025, Watercolour on paper, 29.7 x 42 cm

 

Lipstick Palm, Cyrtostachys renda, 2025, Watercolour on paper, 29.7 x 42 cm

 

Hanging Lobster Claw, Heliconia rostrata, 2025, Watercolour on paper, 29.7 x 42 cm

 

Frangipani, Plumeria rubra, 2025, Watercolour on paper, 29.7 x 42 cm

 Walking Iris, Trimezia steyermarkii, 2025, Watercolour on paper, 29.7 x 42 cm

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