When Estella and Liquan of Ripple Root talk about their art, they finish each other’s sentences. Their partnership is more than collaboration—it’s a conversation, a rhythm that moves between them like brushstrokes across a shared canvas. “We make every single piece together,” says Estella. “It’s four hands and two brains.”
Based in Singapore, the duo has been creating together for more than a decade, blending painting, mural work, and design into a single fluid practice. “My background is in painting, and he did design,” Estella explains. “So I think we have that nice intersection of art and design. It’s primarily paint on surfaces, but it always carries a design sensibility—and we like catering to clients.”
Watch: Ripple Root’s Singapore installation with ATP.art.
Liquan describes their dynamic in poetic terms: “Our work is very symbolic of our names—Ripple Root. Estella represents the ripple: the movement, rhythm, and energy in our strokes. I’m the root—bringing in context, meaning, and atmosphere. We always connect the work to nature or history. Ripple Root is really the embodiment of duality—two people, two perspectives, one voice.”
Process, Rhythm, Optimism
Ripple Root’s practice is grounded in motion and exchange. “It’s always rippling—always moving,” Estella says. Their collaboration is physical and conversational: “Our process is like a dance—constant interaction and response,” Liquan explains.
They work quickly and intuitively. “We have a great friendship. When we paint, the art almost creates itself. We don’t try to control it—it’s bigger than us. We’re just vessels for it,” Estella says. When asked who makes the first stroke, Liquan smiles: “Estella always does. It’s her nature—she’s the go-getter.” Estella laughs. “I just jump in first. Like jumping into water.”
They lean into discovery, viewing mistakes as opportunities. “We don’t see them as mistakes—more like happy accidents,” says Liquan. “A splash might end up being the most organic, spirited part of the piece.” “Yes, definitely,” Estella adds. “We keep the drips and spills—they give character. Perfection is overrated. The small imperfections add edge and authenticity.”
That exchange continues even as their work scales up. “We don’t discuss the art while painting. We talk about everything else,” Liquan says. Estella puts it simply: “It’s really four hands and two brains… We loosely follow a sketch, but it’s organic.”
Above all, they want the work to feel optimistic. “Keeping the viewer in mind is a big part of our practice,” Estella says. “We want whoever interacts with the work to take something home from the experience.” She pauses, then adds, “With the title, optimism—like starting a new workday full of potential.” Liquan agrees: “It just puts a smile on your face. There are lots of light, bright colors.”
The BlackRock Collaboration
That sense of optimism found a new scale in Traversing Through Bold Horizons, one of two recent commissions with ATP.art for BlackRock’s Singapore headquarters. The mural, installed in the company’s corridor, captures the flow of movement, culture, and growth that defines both the city and the firm.
Traversing Through Bold Horizons (2025). Ripple Root’s mural for BlackRock’s Singapore headquarters celebrates movement, culture, and optimism through vibrant color and form. Blending Peranakan motifs, shophouses, and landmarks like Changi Airport, the work channels the rhythm of modern Singapore—joyful, rooted, and always in motion.
“When we first heard from ATP.art about this beautiful space they found for the client, we were really excited about the possibility of injecting our whimsical style into it—a space that’s usually seen as quite corporate and stiff,” says Liquan. “We wanted to bring in a Southeast Asian identity—something cultural and rooted, yet reflective of the rhythmic, business-like buzz of modern Singapore.”
“The strokes are fresh and contemporary, so even as you’re working, there’s that pulse you can feel,” Estella adds. “It’s not just soothing—it has action, rhythm, color, and motion that keep the energy alive.”
They approached the commission with the people in mind. “We knew there would be office workers and clients coming in, so we wanted a strong representation of Singapore,” says Liquan. “We titled the artwork Traversing Through Bold Horizons—blending Peranakan culture and heritage with something modern. We incorporated landmarks like Changi Airport and the Jewel Fountain to express Singapore’s ‘garden city’ energy while honoring its history. We wanted to show Singapore in a way that doesn’t feel cliché.”
For Ripple Root, the process with ATP.art was fluid from the start. “We met with the curator from ATP.art, who was instrumental in keeping things on schedule despite the time difference,” says Liquan. “We appreciated that ATP gave us full creative freedom to research and express ourselves. That trust was invaluable.” Estella adds, “They already understood our style, so there wasn’t any pressure to change it. They chose past works that fit this direction, and everything went smoothly. ATP coordinated the panel deliveries, meetings, and logistics, which made the process seamless given the distance.”
Life Along the Singapore River (2025). Ripple Root layers expressive color and gesture over archival imagery of Singapore’s riverfront—bridging the city’s trading past with its present-day rhythm. The mural captures movement, connection, and cultural continuity in a place where history still flows through everyday life.
Even through challenges, the collaboration stayed upbeat. “Overall, it was smooth,” says Liquan. “The main challenge was waiting for materials and logistics, but ATP.art was incredibly responsive and kept everything moving.”
A Shared Sense of Joy
For Ripple Root, optimism isn’t just a theme—it’s part of how they work. “We always explore optimism,” says Liquan. “It’s crucial to our practice—we’re optimists.” Estella adds, “Being joyful and expectant about what’s ahead, whether it’s the day or the year. That’s what we hope for the piece. Everyone has things they’re dealing with; day to day, we want the artwork to lift you a little. You don’t need more stress—just a moment to let go and focus on the positive colors and energy of the piece.”
Their collaboration with ATP.art reflects that same spirit of trust and openness. “Yes, a lot of it was done on Zoom, so trust was key,” says Liquan. “It made the whole experience unique.”
Learn more about Traversing Through Bold Horizons and the broader Singapore collection featuring Ripple Root, Ben Qwek, Ian Woo, and Tan Zi Xi. The short film captures how ATP.art brought together five Singapore-based artists to reimagine a corporate space through creativity, culture, and collaboration.
Film by ATP.art Media Services. Presented by Artrepreneur.
