Oo La Lab is delighted to announce the selected artists for its inaugural Artist-in-Residence program in Singapore and Dubai. This program marks a significant step in the brand's mission to foster creativity and explore the intersection of art and scent. The residencies, running from February 10 to May 10, 2025, promise a captivating fusion of artistic vision and olfactory innovation.

The selection process, following an open call, yielded two exceptional talents poised to redefine the boundaries of scent as an artistic medium.

Meet the Artists

Singapore Residency: Benjamin Ong

Ben, a Creative Director at Wild Studio and Mix Media Visual Artist, will be taking the Singapore residency to explore "Fast Art" through the underutilized medium of scent. His project aims to create an immersive experience that bridges the gap between sight, smell, and emotion, inviting the audience to engage both their visual and olfactory senses. Ben's concept celebrates raw, unfiltered creative energy, uncovering the hidden connections between scent, instinct, and the art of creation. 

Ben has gathered a diverse portfolio of creative projects, from initial concept to final execution, across animation, illustration, and graphic design. He has worked at global companies such as Lazada and R/GA Singapore, and he was Head of UI Design at PropertyGuru Group. Ben holds a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communications and Graphic Design from Middlesex University.

Dubai Residency: Maisoon Al Saleh

Maisoon Al Saleh, a celebrated Artist and Author, will bring her perspective to the world of scent at the Oo La Lab Dubai Design District location. Maisoon Al Saleh, an Emirati artist born in 1988, has garnered international acclaim for her thought-provoking art. A graduate of Zayed University with a degree in Arts and Design, Al Saleh has participated in approximately 100 art exhibitions across 20 countries, with nine solo shows to her name. Her work has been displayed at prestigious venues such as the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris and Art Dubai, as well as in the United States, Spain, Italy, and Greece. 

Her art dives, sometimes literally, below the obvious meaning residing on the surface of stories and accounts of the past. Al Saleh focuses on bones and skulls as a means of telling stories that transcend age and gender.

A Commitment to Creative Exploration

Through this Artist-in-Residence program, Oo La Lab aims to cultivate a vibrant dialogue between artists and the olfactory universe, inspiring them to explore and expand the boundaries of their creativity. The selected artists will have access to Oo La Lab's studios and resources to create unique scent-inspired artworks, fragrances, or installations. Their work will be featured in Oo La Lab stores and across the brand's social media channels, connecting them with a community of scent enthusiasts. The program also provides a monthly stipend, full access to fragrance materials, mentorship from in-house scent artists, and an exhibition opportunity at the end of the residency.

"Scent is not just a sensory experience; it is an art form that connects us to our emotions and memories," said Dan Terry Jacobson, Creative Director at Oo La Lab. "Through this Artist-in-Residence program, we aspire to cultivate a vibrant dialogue between artists and our olfactory universe, inspiring them to explore and expand the boundaries of their creativity".

Oo La Lab invites the public to witness the evolution of these groundbreaking residencies and experience the transformative power of scent as art.

About Oo La Lab

Founded with a mission to revolutionize the fragrance industry through immersive experiences and cultural storytelling, Oo La Lab has become a leader in bespoke perfumery, inspiring consumers to embrace the art of scent as a form of self-expression. Known for its customizable fragrance workshops and exclusive niche perfume lines, Oo La Lab brings the concept of “human chemistry” to life by allowing individuals to design scents that reflect their personalities, memories, and creativity.