Global — November 2, 2026 — ANewswire — Singaporean author living with aphasia collaborates with fellow stroke survivor Wendy Lim to transform Brokenness Becomes Beautiful into a sculptural art installation combining poetry, AI-recreated voice and ceramics.
What began as a collection of deeply personal poems about life after stroke has evolved into an award-winning audiobook and, most recently, an immersive art installation at Flower Field Hall, Gardens by the Bay, in Singapore.
Singaporean author and stroke survivor Terence Ang, who has lived with aphasia since suffering a haemorrhagic stroke in August 2020, presented Five Vessels | One Journey | Still Me, a collaborative installation with fellow stroke survivor and ceramic artist Wendy Lim.
The installation was showcased as part of the Survivor Arts Exhibition at Stepping Out for Stroke 2026, organised by the Singapore National Stroke Association (SNSA) on Saturday, 31 October 2026.
The event marked the culmination of SNSA's 30th anniversary celebrations, bringing together stroke survivors, caregivers, families, volunteers and community partners in recognition of three decades of supporting Singapore's stroke community.
For Ang, the exhibition represented another significant milestone in his journey of rediscovering his voice, identity and purpose after stroke.
Brokenness Becomes Beautiful: From Written Words to a Recreated Voice
Ang's journey into creative expression began following his stroke in August 2020, which left him with right-sided physical disabilities and aphasia, an acquired language disorder affecting the ability to communicate.
Once accustomed to expressing himself freely, Ang found that speaking, reading and writing had become enormous challenges.
Writing eventually became an important means of communicating the thoughts and emotions he struggled to express verbally.
His experiences inspired several internationally recognised books, culminating in Brokenness Becomes Beautiful: Inspiring Pieces of Poetry, a collection exploring self-discovery, self-acceptance, healing, resilience and personal transformation.
In June 2026, Ang took an unconventional step by releasing an audiobook edition narrated using an AI-generated recreation of his own voice.
Created using voice-cloning technology, the audiobook enabled Ang to give an audible voice to his poetry despite the communication difficulties caused by aphasia.
The achievement represented more than a technological innovation. For Ang, it was a deeply personal affirmation that losing the ability to speak fluently need not mean losing the ability to be heard.
The audiobook subsequently won the 2026 New York City Big Book Award in the Audiobook: Poetry/Memoir category. Its international recognition culminated in a Times Square billboard appearance in New York on 10 October 2026.
Just three weeks later, Ang brought the same literary work into an entirely different artistic medium.
When Poetry, Voice and Sculpture Come Together
Inspired by Brokenness Becomes Beautiful, Ang collaborated with Wendy Lim to create Five Vessels | One Journey | Still Me, an installation exploring the emotional landscape of life after stroke.
Wendy created five ceramic vessels, each representing a different stage of the recovery journey — from life before stroke and the sudden disruption of illness to the challenges of rebuilding, finding strength through community and embracing hope for the future.
Their cracks, imperfections and kintsugi-inspired details symbolised the belief that brokenness need not diminish beauty, dignity or worth.
Complementing the sculptures were Ang's poetry and explanatory panels, creating a dialogue between written words and physical artistic expression.
A distinctive feature of the installation was the integration of QR codes that allowed visitors to listen to selected excerpts from Ang's award-winning audiobook.
By scanning the codes with their mobile devices, visitors could hear his poetry narrated through his AI-recreated voice while viewing the sculptures inspired by those experiences.
This combination of sound, literature and visual art offered visitors different ways to engage with the emotional journey of stroke recovery.
For Ang, the connection was especially meaningful.
"My poetry gave words to experiences that are sometimes difficult to express. Wendy's sculptures gave those emotions a physical form. And through my AI-recreated voice, visitors could actually hear the words that inspired our collaboration," Ang explained.
"In a sense, something that began with my struggle to communicate has now found different ways of reaching people — through writing, sound and art."
The collaboration also held personal significance for both survivors. While Ang rediscovered his voice through writing and poetry, Wendy found renewed confidence and rekindled her passion for ceramics.
"Her sculptures brought my poetry to life in ways I could never have imagined. There was pain in the clay, but there was also courage. There was brokenness, but there was beauty," Ang reflected.
"Together, we created something neither of us could have achieved alone."
Beyond their own collaboration, Ang saw the Survivor Arts Exhibition as a whole as a powerful demonstration that recovery is not solely about regaining lost abilities. It can also involve discovering hidden talents, exploring previously unrecognised potential and developing abilities that survivors may never have imagined they possessed.
Sylvia Lim's Personal Sharing Resonates with Ang's Aphasia Journey
Another meaningful moment during Stepping Out for Stroke 2026 came from Guest of Honour Ms Sylvia Lim, who shared her personal experiences of her late father, Mr Lim Choon Mong, and his stroke journey.
She spoke about her father's love of conversation, particularly their spirited discussions about politics and current affairs, and how his ability to communicate was subsequently affected by stroke.
Her account resonated deeply with Ang, who understands the emotional and psychological impact of losing the ability to express oneself freely.
"Her father was someone who loved communicating and sharing his thoughts. I could relate to the profound loss that comes when someone who once expressed himself so freely can no longer do so," said Ang.
Aphasia is often misunderstood because its effects are not always immediately visible.
Although individuals may struggle to find words, construct sentences or participate in conversations, their thoughts, memories, knowledge and emotions remain.
The consequences can extend beyond communication, affecting relationships, social participation, independence, employment opportunities and the ability to regain a meaningful sense of purpose.
For Ang, Sylvia Lim's sharing reinforced the importance of greater public understanding and empathy.
"Aphasia does not mean we have nothing to say. It means the world needs to learn how to listen."
He hopes that initiatives such as the Survivor Arts Exhibition will encourage people to recognise the abilities and contributions of stroke survivors, including those who may find conventional forms of communication difficult.
StrokeConnect: Strengthening Support Beyond Rehabilitation
Stepping Out for Stroke 2026 also marked a significant milestone for SNSA with the official launch of StrokeConnect, its survivor-led helpline.
The initiative connects stroke survivors and caregivers with trained befrienders who can provide a listening ear, peer support, encouragement and guidance towards relevant community resources. It also offers a way to stay connected with the wider stroke community.
The launch included recognition of the pioneering group of StrokeConnect befrienders, whose lived experiences will help support others navigating the challenges of stroke recovery.
The StrokeConnect helpline can be reached at 1800 890 9966.
The initiative reflects the continuing need for emotional support, social connection and community participation beyond hospital discharge and formal rehabilitation.
Art From the Heart: Beyond Stroke, Beyond Words
For Ang, the significance of the Survivor Arts Exhibition extended beyond the artworks themselves.
"The exhibition was not simply about displaying what we had created. It was about creating opportunities for stroke survivors to be seen, heard and recognised for what they can do, rather than being defined by what they have lost."
He hopes that the Survivor Arts Exhibition will continue to grow as a platform for creative exploration, confidence-building and community participation.
Through Five Vessels | One Journey | Still Me, Ang and Wendy have demonstrated how adversity can inspire unexpected forms of creativity, collaboration and personal growth.
What began as Ang's struggle to find words after stroke eventually became poetry.
That poetry found a voice through artificial intelligence.
And that voice, together with the emotions behind the words, has now found another expression through art.
For Ang, this continuing evolution captures the essence of Brokenness Becomes Beautiful.
"Stroke may change the direction of our lives, but it does not have to determine how our stories end."
From brokenness to beauty. From silence to expression. From surviving to discovering what is still possible.
About Terence Ang
Terence Ang is a Singaporean author, poet and stroke survivor who experienced a haemorrhagic stroke in August 2020, resulting in right-sided physical disabilities and aphasia.
Despite significant communication challenges, he has authored several internationally recognised books documenting his journey of recovery, resilience and personal transformation.
His published works include A Cry in the Dark, Emerging From the Dark, Strength in Motion, The Boy & The Man, Thunderstroke and Brokenness Becomes Beautiful: Inspiring Pieces of Poetry.
In June 2026, Ang released an audiobook edition of Brokenness Becomes Beautiful, narrated using an AI-generated recreation of his voice. The audiobook won the 2026 New York City Big Book Award in the Audiobook: Poetry/Memoir category and was featured on a Times Square billboard in October 2026.
Through his writing, art and advocacy, Ang seeks to raise awareness of aphasia and other invisible disabilities while encouraging greater understanding, inclusion and recognition of the potential of stroke survivors.
About Stepping Out for Stroke 2026
Stepping Out for Stroke is the flagship annual community event organised by the Singapore National Stroke Association (SNSA).
The 2026 event, held on 31 October at Flower Field Hall, Gardens by the Bay, Singapore, marked the culmination of SNSA's 30th anniversary celebrations and featured the Survivor Arts Exhibition, stroke awareness activities, community engagement and the official launch of StrokeConnect.