Art has always walked alongside the life of Tsuyumi Miwa—from her early years immersed in calligraphy and painting, to her time gracing the screen as an actress and delivering words as a broadcaster. Today, she continues this lifelong dialogue with creativity through her work as a visual artist.
Having lived in Japan, Italy, Australia, and now Singapore—her current base—Tsuyumi’s experiences across cultures have shaped a distinct artistic lens. With brush in hand once again, she explores the intersection of personal memory and the collective memory of Singapore, a land where diverse ethnicities and cultures coexist in vibrant harmony.
In this new column series, Story of Art, we begin by diving into Tsuyumi Miwa’s recent body of work, the Singapore Cultural Series. This ongoing series shines a spotlight on the unsung everyday heroes who form the backbone of Singapore’s multicultural society.
Let us begin by unraveling the story behind the painting that initiated this journey.
1. “Kopitiam” – The Heart of Singaporean Coffee Culture
Scattered across Singapore’s neighborhoods are the beloved kopitiams—traditional coffee shops that are far more than mere places to sip coffee. They are cultural anchors, where daily lives and decades of history meet. The aroma of kopi, the local coffee, is steeped in stories passed down through generations.
Among the many kopitiams across Singapore, Tong Ah Eating House stands out as a true icon.
At the heart of this painting is Ah Wee, the iconic owner of the famed Tong Ah Eating House. Originally established in 1939, this heritage coffee shop once stood in a curved, four-story building on Keong Saik Road. Though now relocated on the same street, its soul remains intact—unchanged in taste, atmosphere, and spirit.
Ah Wee is not just a coffee vendor—he is, in every sense, an artist of kopi. His coffee, made with condensed milk, sugar, and specially roasted beans, is crafted with skill honed over decades. The mid-pour technique, performed with metal kettles and cloth filters, is an elegant choreography of practiced hands—each movement almost meditative, like a quiet dance.
Tsuyumi’s painting captures this very moment—the rising steam from the kettle, the worn tools of the trade, and Ah Wee’s focused expression. It is a slice of morning life, a visual poem to craftsmanship passed through time.
Tsuyumi Miwa
Having studied calligraphy and painting in Japan, and built a career in acting and broadcasting, Tsuyumi now embraces the tropical climate of Singapore with vibrant acrylics. Rather than hyper-realism, she uses color and light to evoke emotion, translating atmosphere into art.
“Kopitiam” is more than a painting—it is a tribute. It distills the heritage of kopitiams and the quiet dignity of those who keep traditions alive. Through Tsuyumi Miwa’s eyes, we are invited to feel the warmth, hear the quiet hum of morning bustle, and witness the beauty in everyday rituals.
Story of Art will be updated every full moon.
Stay tuned for the next installment on Friday, July 11, 2025.
