Some places stay with us long after we leave them.
They live in the architecture we remember, the streets we know by heart, the food we associate with home, and the everyday scenes that might seem ordinary to someone else—but mean something entirely different to us.
Threads of Home was born from that feeling.
A new collection from Journey2Asia, Threads of Home is a celebration of Singapore through the eyes of Singaporean artist Zhu Hong—capturing the city's architecture, streets, heritage, and everyday moments through his distinctive artistic language.
Launched in conjunction with Singapore's National Day, the collection is a personal tribute to a place that continues to inspire, while introducing the visual character and cultural stories of Singapore to art lovers and collectors in the United States.
Singapore, Seen Through an Artist's Eyes
Singapore is a city of contrasts. Historic shophouses stand alongside modern skyscrapers. Traditional food stalls coexist with the energy of a global metropolis.
It is this relationship between architecture, people, movement, and everyday life that makes Singapore such a compelling subject for art.
For Zhu Hong, these elements have been a central part of his artistic practice.
With a background in architecture, Zhu Hong brings an architectural understanding to the way he observes and interprets the city. His work is known for expressive brushstrokes, vibrant colors, dynamic angles, and playful distortions of architectural forms. Rather than simply reproducing a building or street, he captures its spirit and atmosphere, encouraging viewers to see familiar places from a fresh perspective.
That distinctive approach is at the heart of Threads of Home.
Meet Zhu Hong: From Architecture to Art
Born in China and based in Singapore since 1997, Zhu Hong studied architecture before working in interior, architectural, and event design. He eventually devoted himself to art full-time, bringing his understanding of structure, space, and perspective into his paintings.
His artistic practice spans multiple mediums, including watercolor, oil painting, and digital art.
His watercolor and oil works are particularly recognizable for their energetic lines, vivid color, and unconventional perspectives. His architectural background is evident in the way he deconstructs and reinterprets buildings and city streets rather than portraying them strictly as they appear.
But perhaps one of the most fascinating chapters of Zhu Hong's artistic journey is the way he embraced something far removed from the traditional canvas: the smartphone.
When a Smartphone Becomes the Canvas
Not every masterpiece begins with a paintbrush.
As smartphones and touchscreen technology became increasingly sophisticated, Zhu Hong began exploring the mobile phone as a creative medium. He developed a process of creating artwork directly on a touchscreen device, turning a tool more commonly associated with communication and photography into his canvas.
His digital work isn't about simply applying a filter to a photograph or reproducing an image mechanically. Instead, the smartphone becomes another instrument through which he can interpret the world.
His digital artworks retain many of the characteristics found throughout his traditional work—expressive lines, bold colors, unusual perspectives, and an instinctive approach to capturing a scene. His exploration of mobile-phone painting became an important part of his artistic journey and led to works and publications centered around this medium.
And that is what makes Zhu Hong's digital artworks created using smartphone particularly intriguing for today's collectors. It sits at an interesting intersection between traditional artistic expression and contemporary digital creativity.
Why "Threads of Home"?
The name came from the idea that home isn't always a single place.
Sometimes it is a collection of memories, places, people, colors, sounds, and experiences woven together over time. Owner of J2A; Rukzana, is a Singaporean herself who moved to the United States a few years ago. As such, this collection is deeply personal to her as it evokes memories of the places and everyday moments that she experienced throughout her life.
Through this collection, she hopes to share some of those threads with a wider audience.
Singapore Art, Now Available in the United States
With Threads of Home, Journey2Asia is bringing Singapore-inspired artwork to collectors and design enthusiasts across the United States.
The collection is intended for those who appreciate Asian art, contemporary art, cultural storytelling, architecture, and distinctive pieces with a sense of place.
Each artwork in the collection is produced as a limited edition of only 50 prints worldwide, making the collection intentionally small and collectible.
Bringing a Piece of Singapore Home
At Journey2Asia, we believe the most meaningful pieces are often the ones that carry a story.
Threads of Home represents our growing commitment to bringing Asian creativity, heritage, and artistic voices to new audiences.
This collaboration with Zhu Hong is the beginning of that journey.
Whether Singapore is a place you call home, a city you've visited, or somewhere you've always wanted to discover, we invite you to explore Threads of Home and experience Singapore through art.