Samantha Chua at The Crucible: Eye of light and animated dreams
Anime series can be about high-school swordsmen or interdimensional pop idols with trauma issues and space boots, plus oversized, over-lit eyes that broadcast adolescent angst. But there is also a quiet side to anime not saturated with neon. Here, light isn’t just light, and specks of dust in an abandoned garden or a single raindrop on a window of a lonely room convey a thousandfold emotions. It’s all about strolling into a still lake and finally being able to gaze into one’s true self.
Looking at Samantha Chua’s pieces for her show that opens at The Crucible Gallery on July 8, one gets the impression that the artist is using the anime aesthetic in her art to express the light within.
“I create with the hope of bringing warmth to those around me,” begins Samantha—or, as her tag goes, “Tata Rae”—reflecting on early experiences illustrating greeting cards in school. These humble origins have profoundly shaped a practice now characterized by heartfelt storytelling and subtle realism, woven together through an anime-inspired aesthetic that still manages to feel unmistakably personal.
“At first glance, people often say that my characters look like anime figures,” the artist acknowledges, “but there’s actually a subtle realism in them — especially in their anatomical structure and the way I render clothing folds.” This distinctive approach merges a childhood fascination with anime series such as Haikyuu!!, One Piece and Solo Leveling, with the artist’s deep-rooted cultural experiences, creating an expressive style defined by vibrant colors chosen “based on intuition and emotion rather than strict palettes.”
Eyes, the most arresting feature in her works, convey silent narratives of warmth and vulnerability. “I believe that when we look at someone, our gaze naturally goes to their eyes—it’s where we first search for meaning,” she explains. This careful attention transforms her characters into vessels of quiet yet profound emotion.
Thematically, the artist explores “the blurry line between dreams and reality,” capturing the nuanced, fragile emotional exchanges that occur within human relationships. Works like “Reflections of Dreams” and “The Heart of the Sunflower” subtly convey personal struggles, not through explicit narrative but through sincere emotional resonance. “I wasn’t trying to tell a story directly,” the artist clarifies, “but I was trying to express something honest. That honesty often becomes the bridge to emotional connection.”
Initially trained in traditional mediums such as colored pencils, her transition to digital art began out of necessity. “Digital art started becoming mainstream, and I felt that if I didn’t learn it, I might be left behind,” she candidly shares. Now, digital tools have allowed her greater flexibility to amplify emotional atmospheres and visual impact. While traditional methods might carry intrinsic warmth, digital art facilitates the powerful mood and polished finish that have become her hallmark.
The artist’s journey resonates strongly with younger audiences navigating similar intersections of traditional expectations, personal passion, and contemporary pop culture. Memorable interactions with local fans further validate the universality of her artistic expression: “Some have told me that seeing my art made them feel comforted or reminded them they’re not alone in how they feel. Moments like that are really meaningful to me.”
Looking forward, the artist dreams of expanding her storytelling into a longer form, perhaps through a webtoon or short manga series. “Animation is also a dream,” she muses. “Being able to see my characters move and breathe would be magical.” For now, however, she remains grounded in the immediate, allowing each emotional idea to guide her creative journey organically.
In bridging anime aesthetics with fine art sensibilities, her practice remains deeply anchored in emotional honesty, gently reminding viewers of the profound connections found within quiet moments and subtle glances.
Yes, sadness does bloom in the crush of candy colors: screaming in some pieces (“The Mask of the Cage,” for example), while subtle in most. There are flickers of light, though. Proof that gentleness has gravity. And, fragility becomes a force of its own. Like in so many anime worlds, redemption lingers; not as certainty, but as possibility.
Perhaps, a dream away.
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Samantha “Tata Rae” Chua’s “Painted Dreams” is on view from July 8 to 20 at The Crucible Gallery, fourth floor, SM Megamall A, Mandaluyong City. Follow the gallery on social media for information.