A Gallery for the Things We Take for Granted

Spoons. 100 of them. That was the entire premise behind Chinese artist Du Yu’s recent exhibition, simply titled 100 Wooden Spoons, at Late Morning Gallery.

Why would anyone devote an entire exhibition to an ordinary, everyday object like a spoon? In Du’s hands, though, each one becomes a miniature sculpture. Some come with kooky lightning-shaped handles, others are shaped like a thumb, all lovingly carved out of golden nanmu wood. There are, of course, more “normal” ones, but each is made with a respect for the wood’s natural colours, grain and textures, and a childlike sense of curiosity.

It’s a fitting introduction to the Late Morning universe.

Founded by Belinda Chen, Late Morning began as a lifestyle and homeware shop along South Bridge Road in 2023, with a thoughtfully curated selection of pieces from brands that were then harder to find here, such as English cutlery specialist David Mellor and whimsical Japanese homeware label Marumitsu Poterie.

A tiny cafe called Living Room was eventually added at the back of the store, with perhaps enough room for eight people. Think of it as a little spot for visitors to take a breather.

Now, with the new addition in Late Morning Gallery, Chen is expanding that universe of well-made objects, albeit with a slightly different focus.

“I’ve always believed that the objects we live with can influence how we experience our everyday lives,” she says. “It doesn’t necessarily have to be something expensive or particularly special. Sometimes it’s a simple handmade object that brings a different kind of appreciation to an ordinary moment.”

The gallery opened this July in a second-floor unit a couple of doors down from the original store. Chen has presented five exhibitions so far, exploring everything from wooden spoons to textile dyeing and ceramics, with artists from across East Asia, including Japan, Korea, China and Taiwan.

“I enjoy seeing how different people approach materials, and how their cultural backgrounds and individual experiences influence the things they create,” says Chen.

“What draws me to these works isn’t necessarily whether they fit into a particular category. It’s more about the thought, sensitivity and perspective behind them. A sculpture and a handmade wooden spoon might serve very different purposes, but both can reveal a great deal about the maker’s relationship with materials and the process of making.”

It’s a way of thinking that applies through most of Chen’s projects - including a past turn as a YouTube content creator known for her home and lifestyle videos, offering glimpses into thoughtfully designed interiors, domestic routines and the objects that make a house feel like home.

Now with the gallery, Chen has the opportunity to bring to life more of an artist’s vision, in ways that a retail setting might not always allow. But the 30-year-old sees the store and gallery as complementary ways of introducing people to art and craft.

"Because the store and gallery are part of the same wider idea, we can introduce people to creative practices through different entry points,” says Chen. “Someone might first discover us through an object they want to bring home, then become interested in the artist or the ideas behind the work.”

Come year-end, Chen will be setting up ちょっと Chotto (Japanese for a small amount, a short duration, or a mild degree of something), an appointment-based dessert and tea experience within the space.

Chotto brings together Chen’s love of coffee, tea, desserts, cooking and hosting, with a focus on seasonal treats and the wares they’re served in. Rather than simply admiring the objects at Late Morning, guests will get to use them too, eating and drinking from the cups, plates and other pieces. After all, a cup feels quite different when it’s in your hands, holding your tea or coffee. It becomes part of a little ritual, a shared moment and the experience of being together.

There are plans for more intimate gatherings with visiting artists and craftspeople too, giving people the chance to learn directly from them, rather than simply encounter their finished work. Ultimately, Chen hopes Late Morning Gallery will become a place people feel comfortable returning to, even when they don’t know exactly what to expect.

As she puts it: “Whether they come for an exhibition, to discover a maker or to spend an afternoon over tea and dessert, I hope each visit offers a different way of connecting with objects, art and the everyday.”

Late Morning Gallery is located on the second floor of 228A South Bridge Road. It’s open 11am - 7pm on weekends, by appointment only from Tuesdays - Fridays (closed on Mondays).