Book excerpt: One of Singapore's most prominent artists, Georgette Chen forged an artistic vision that till today continues to enchant and inspire. Chen's remarkable story that spans wars and revolutions, triumph and tragedy, loves lost and enduring, is told here through her very own words, selected from an extensive archive spanning five decades. Together with her paintings, they constitute a compelling portrait of the artist's gentle spirit that avails itself both to readers who are already familiar with the artist, as well as those discovering her for the first time. The Artist Speaks series presents an intimate look at artists through their words and works, tracing the ideas, influences and experiences—as told by artists themselves—that inspire artistic creation.