05/04/2026

ON SUNDAY April 5, 2026 theSunday Special VIII Embracing the unsettling beauty

A RT is not merely limited to perfection or beauty. It can also be dark, raw and even disturbing because the whole point is to evoke thoughts and feelings, even if it makes us uncomfort able. If we look hard enough, there is beauty in these odd and peculiar pieces of art. For Joey Wong of D’peculiar, she has often found herself drawn to imagery and FRQFHSWV WKDW GR QRW TXLWH ¿W LQWR FRQYHQ tional categories. D’peculiar represents Wong’s acceptance of those instincts and her decision to embrace peculiarity rather than suppress it. It became a way for her to create without self-censorship, allowing her inner world to take visual form. “D’peculiar began as a deeply personal outlet where I could freely explore ideas that felt strange, surreal and instinctively my own. Before adopting the name, I of ten found myself drawn to imagery and FRQFHSWV WKDW GLGQ¶W TXLWH ¿W LQWR FRQYHQ tional categories. My style sits somewhere between surrealism and playfulness, with an undercurrent of subtle eeriness. “ $W ¿UVW JODQFH WKH ZRUN PD\ DSSHDU humorous or whimsical, but there is often a quiet discomfort beneath the surface. I enjoy creating contrasts, cute versus unsettling, light versus heavy, EHFDXVH WKDW WHQVLRQ UHÀHFWV KRZ HPR tions often coexist in real life. The work invites viewers in gently, then lingers in their thoughts,” Wong explained. Wong is drawn to surreal and unusual imagery, as it gives her the freedom to express emotions, thoughts and inner FRQÀLFWV WKDW DUH GL̇ FXOW WR FRPPXQLFDWH through realism alone. BY HANNEF ESQUANDER

At first glance, the work may appear humorous or whimsical, but there is often a quiet discomfort beneath the surface.”

She is fascinated by subtle psychologi cal moments rather than dramatic events and she often builds visual ideas from these small emotional triggers. “I switch between illustration and sculpture. It all depends on how the idea wants to exist. Some concepts feel complete as a flat image, where com position and symbolism are enough. Others demand physical presence, such as weight, texture and space, when sculpture becomes essential. “Sculpture allows the work to occupy the same space as the viewer, creating a more intimate and sometimes confronta tional experience,” Wong shared. Earlier in her career, she was experi menting and searching for direction, but now she has a clearer understanding of her visual language and themes. She has OHDUQHG WR UH¿QH KHU LGHDV UDWKHU WKDQ over-explain them, trusting simplicity and restraint. The evolution of her artwork has been less about changing style and more about deepening clarity. “The response has been surprisingly open and encouraging, particularly among younger audiences who resonate with unconventional and emotionally driven work. There is a growing appreciation for art that challenges norms and explores personal narratives. “While surreal and slightly dark themes are still niche, I’ve found a community that is curious and supportive,” Wong pointed out. As an artist, Wong faces one of the biggest challenges: Balancing creative IUHHGRP ZLWK ¿QDQFLDO VXVWDLQDELOLW\ She often feels the pressure to cre ate commercially viable work, which FDQ FRQÀLFW ZLWK PRUH H[SHULPHQWDO RU personal directions. Staying true to her artistic voice while building a sustainable practice is an ongoing process. “Moving forward, I want to explore sculpture more deeply and push emotional storytelling further. I’m interested in creating work that feels more immersive and psychologically layered, whether through form, scale or narrative. “Ultimately, I hope to continue devel oping a body of work that feels honest, unsettling and quietly resonant,” Wong ended the conversation on a positive note.

Wong … “I’m interested in creating work that feels more immersive and psychologically layered.”

Some feelings do not have a clear narrative or logical structure and surreal imagery allows them to exist without explanation. It becomes a visual language for ambiguity, intuition and subcon scious experiences. These are things that are deeply human yet often left unspoken. “My art focuses a lot on human forms and body parts because to me the human body is something we all recognise, yet it can become unsettling when isolated, distorted or fragmented. I’m fascinated by that duality. “By focusing on faces, hands or body parts, I can explore themes of identity, vulnerability, intimacy and emotional exposure. These elements feel familiar enough to connect with viewers, but DOWHUHG HQRXJK WR SURYRNH UHÀHFWLRQ RU unease,” Wong said. W RQJ ¿QGV LQVSLUDWLRQ IURP LQWHUQDO sources such as her personal thoughts, GUHDPV ÀHHWLQJ HPRWLRQV DQG PRPHQWV of quiet observation. It could be an HYHU\GD\ VLWXDWLRQ WKDW IHHOV VOLJKWO\ µR̆ ¶ or a feeling she cannot quite name.

Some feelings do not have a clear narrative or logical structure and surreal imagery allows them to exist without explanation.