The Beginning and Growth of Printmaking

Introduction

After a quiet period during the COVID pandemic at the Valley of Hope, local artist Mr Yeoh Lian Heng proposed a woodcut print class. Elderly residents with an average age of 78 joined with curiosity and enthusiasm. Within six months, their works—raw, whimsical, and expressive—won acclaim. Volunteers helped with the printing, and an old carpentry workshop was transformed into the Valley of Hope Art Studio. The first exhibition showcased 35 black-and-white woodcut prints.

In early 2023, the first Chinese New Year Print Exhibition was held at the studio, marking the first time that residents celebrated the Lunar New Year with their own woodcut artworks. In 2024, they went on to showcase their talents at the Jakarta Biennale, bringing global attention to the Valley of Hope. By May 2025, the Carving the Buddhist Affinity exhibition featured 24 Wesak-themed prints and, for the first time, a large-scale Heart Sutra woodcut print was completed through an intergenerational collaboration.