Come listen to those involved in picture book creation, and dive deeper into the exhibition Peace and Friendship: An SJ60 Picture Book Exhibition from Singapore and Japan, currently on display at JCC.

Curator David Liew and artist Priscilla Tey, both from Singapore, as well as curator Michiko Matsukata, who will make a special online appearance from Japan, will talk about picture book production in each country and reflect on how art made for children can carry the weightiest of themes: peace, friendship, and the worlds we want to build.

This event is part of the official celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Japan (SJ60).

Date:

Saturday, 6 June 2026

Time:

3pm – 4pm (Registration starts 2:30pm)

Venue:

Japan Creative Centre (JCC)
4 Nassim Road Singapore 258372

Admission:

FREE (Registration required)

David Liew, an illustrator of children’s books, also crafts miniature worlds. Formerly a junior college teacher, he transitioned to professional illustration. His works include series like Ellie Belly, The Plano Adventures, and Change Makers. Liew instructs Picture Book illustration at the National Institute of Early Childhood Education and teaches art at Republic Polytechnic. He serves as Regional Advisor for the Singapore Chapter of the Society of Children’s Books and Illustrators.

Michiko Matsukata is a curator at the Chihiro Art Museum since 2003 and has curated exhibitions such as Contemporary Picture Book Illustrations from Korea, Polish Picture Book Artists, Ib Spang Olsen: The Soul of Denmark, and most recently, Józef Wilkoń, Painter at 96- Master of Poland. She also was in charge of exhibitions of Chihiro Iwasaki and Japanese Picture Book Artists held in several Asian countries. Besides curating exhibitions, her responsibilities include looking after the museum library as well as the educational programmes.

Priscilla Tey is an illustrator, multimedia artist, author and winner of the 2025 World Illustration Award (Site Specific Category). A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), she works across a variety of media from watercolour, to digital illustration, packaging to large-scale installations. Priscilla has created artwork for various brands and is also internationally known for her books In-Between Things, and Counting in Dog Years (Candlewick Press), which have received praise from The Wall Street Journal and The New York Public Library. Her latest book The Vicious Cycle will be published in October 2026 by Macmillan Publishers (US).

Is this your first time to Japan Creative Centre? Follow the map below to Japan Creative Centre now.

Getting to Japan Creative Centre
4 Nassim Road Singapore 258372
Tel: +65-6737-0434

By Public Bus:
Bus services: 7, 36, 77, 105, 106, 111, 123, 132, 174, 174E, 502, 502A, 502B (Alight in front of Delfi Orchard)
For latest information on bus routes and fares, please refer to SBS Transit.

By the MRT:
You may also take the MRT to the nearest MRT station, Orchard (NS22).
Train fares, travel times and route maps are available on the SMRT website.

Driving to JCC:
Nearest parking is at Orchard Hotel, Delfi Orchard and Orchard Rendezvous Hotel.