THE GRASS IS GRIMMER ON THE ODDER SIDE

Some of the greatest lessons are learnt from the journeys we did not plan for. To carry with us the imprints of our unfounded paths and to move ahead courageously is a loving act to oneself. And as student entrepreneur and founder of art label, Chirashi Bomb, would say, that is happiness.

Si Hui is not your typical student. She manages her dreams and aspirations for her future like an adult, while her petite frame is donned in a mishmash of at least five colors — with yellow being the primary one. She parades around the school exhibition and presents eloquently, even though she is still a penultimate student. She can illustrate creatively, and she understands, also, how to monetize and communicate her brand.  

Si Hui's pop-up at the Singapore Art Book Fair.

Founder of Chirashi Bomb, Si Hui.

In an unexpected tide of events, her love for sushi evolved into a passion-fueled business. Chirashi Bomb began with a keen interest in all things Japanese, and then made its way into the hearts and eyes of an international audience that delights keeping a physical copy of her works. Beginning in March 2016, Chirashi Bomb is Si Hui’s solo foray into the creative scene — one in which she least expected will monetize, much less teach her about letting go.

The same year she took to Instagram to showcase her love for sushi was also the same year she accidentally missed the opportunity to enroll in a local university. In the turn of events, she spent that ‘accidental gap year’ designing her prints, attending various pop-ups and sourcing for printing services. She also mentioned that she was already earning the salary of a fresh graduate before entering university, but she decided to enroll in design school to upgrade her skills.

Chirashi Bomb is
Si Hui’s solo foray into the creative scene — one in which she least expected will monetize, much less teach her about letting go. 

Some of the works under Si Hui's first creative label.

She hopes to move out of this creative shell to explore other themes. What was once her world is now confining her, and she admits that she has outgrown that phase in her life. 

Having managed Chirashi Bomb for close to three years, she has been through seasons of growth in many ways possible — creativity, finance, time management, expectations and maturity. But what she has learnt from this venture, also, is to let go when time is up. She acknowledges and understands that the brand revolved around a lot of Japanese-inspired themes from sushi to architecture to landscapes, and she hopes to move out of this creative shell to explore other themes. What was once her world is now confining her, and she admits that she has outgrown that phase in her life. And so, she intends to stop the production of prints under Chirashi Bomb and begin a new creative label. This is a lesson about letting go. 

Moving forward, Another Afternoon will be Si Hui’s second foray into the creative scene, introducing concept-driven art works ranging from cards, to stickers, to notebooks, to zines. Newer mediums include video art and performance art, and she is expanding the possibility of 3D products as well. This new venture will be merging both narrative and concept into one, allowing magic in the mundane. It could be simply another afternoon where people get to come in touch with the wonders of art with her.  

Through this chanced experience, she has also learnt a lesson on happiness.

Art has always been about being happy for her. By having complete creative freedom, she gets to experiment with various mediums, styles and concepts that intrigue her. Which also explains why she is embarking on another unexpected journey of starting Another Afternoon — a refuge for all her creative juices. True to this pursuit of happiness, she also chose to immerse herself in an environment to hone her skills. Si Hui graduated from a Mass Communication diploma, which also meant that the Visual Communication degree will be her first professional design-related education. For Si Hui, this degree meant more opportunities to develop her skills and expose herself to more artists.  

Personal works of Si Hui.

A school project, titled 'The Grass Is Grimmer On The Odder Side'.

She has no regrets for the first venture, because with whatever capacity she had, she says she has put in her best effort. She will move on because of — not in spite of — her first label. 

Starting afresh, Si Hui doesn’t wish to erase what was once a lovely memory, hoping that her audience still remembers Chirashi Bomb for what it is and represents. Yet, being able to move forward arrives from an absence of regret. She has no regrets for the first venture, because with whatever capacity she had, she says she has put in her best effort. She will move on because of — not in spite of — her first label. Mentioned sporadically, she says how her work is ‘for Art’s sake’, meaning what she hopes to achieve is to simply do a good piece of art.

One day when she sees sushi on print, she may be reminded of a past loved, fought and preserved. There is enough faith for her to march ahead, and to imagine the impossibilities of herself in Another Afternoon. 

Si Hui at her current school — the School of Art, Design and Media (NTU).

Photo contribution by Ho Si Hui (@chirashibomb)