Artist Statement
Biblical Ideologies has always been the focus in my practice; using reference mostly from the Torah in the Bible. Torah is commonly known as the first five books of the Bible; from the Book of Genesis to the end of the Deuteronomy, written by Moses. It is also known to be the teaching of Law; primary source for information about the nature of God. I see it as a foundation of my concept and practice as it creates a dialogue about religion.
I endeavour to traverse and interpret the ideologies through mediums such as canvas, metal and fabric. Apart from Biblical Ideologies, incorporating various individuals' experiences into my works which creates a relatable encounter for my audiences. While conveying such ideas and knowledge through my work, I tend to keep them subtle, which leaves room for interaction and dialogue between the piece and my audiences, regardless of our ideology.
Mahtohk Machaceh (Sweet Refuge), מקלט מתו
Acrylic on Rice Paper, Mounted on Canvas
To be joyful in hope and patient in affliction, requires one to experience the process of breakthrough. Through having an intimate relationship with God, His grace breaks the bondage of affliction, transforming us from nothing to a gem. The process is rather exquisite.
Using the metamorphosis of a butterfly; we often see the final stage of the butterfly as the importance of the transformation story, we strive to be that butterfly. The caterpillar melts itself and digests everything within, paving the way for the butterfly’s metamorphosis.
Likewise, we are the same, to fully experience the process of breakthrough. We allow ourselves to be gracefully broken by God and shaped again by him to renew and restore every aspect of our broken lives so that we can stand blameless before him on the day of Jesus Christ’s return.
When we are willing to surrender and understand the hope in God, we are ready to transform into a renewed person that is joyful always, knowing that in His tabernacle and under refuge of wings, there will be true love and peace.
𝙵𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚂𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚘𝚗 𝚂𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜
Watercolour on paper
𝙼𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚍𝚢𝚗𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚢 𝚂𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜
Acrylic Painting on Oyster shells
Collaboration with The Oyster Cart.
𝙿𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚊𝚔𝚊𝚗 𝚂𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜: 婉鳴，尋蕊，曉夢，暖夏
Acrylic Painting on Oyster shells
Collaboration with The Oyster Cart.
𝙰 𝚍𝚒𝚏𝚏𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝙲𝚊𝚗𝚟𝚊𝚜 - 𝚂𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜
Acrylic Painting on Oyster shells
Collaboration with The Oyster Cart.
Silence
Metals and wire mesh
Femininity qualities were conventionally attributed and associated with women; it is considered undesired because it reflects the weakness within one. In a way, the masculine qualities that women adopted throughout the different seasons in their lives are like a protective layer or a remedy to shield and heal themselves in silence. However, excessive utilisation of masculinity could result in rustiness in the self.
Often, females hid their personal sufferings deep within themselves and tried to heal in silence. From the authentic beauty to the rustiness of the metal pieces shows a transition of time it takes for the metal to rust completely; how a person corrodes as the time passes. The entire piece illustrates how women looked at their unworthiness from a sole perspective which neglected the beauty, healing and hope that emits within the afflictions where the shadow is cast.
You're always here...
Oil paint on canvas
'You're always here...' speaks about the notion of a pursuit. When one pursues an objective, the person will often recount their past. Similarly, when one pursues the wonder of God, they will recount of the good that God has done in their life. The piece depicts the different phases that a person would go through in life as their life is recounted from the start of their life. The balloons represent hope and positivity, the balloon carries the dreams and aspiration while being a symbol of positivity as it brings joy to people. The empty balloons are for the audiences to fill it up with their dreams as they examine this piece.
Silence, 2020 (Experimental)
Zinc, Aluminium, Mirror, Tree bark, oil paint
Before the betrayal in the book of Genesis, God’s creation was perfect. Sufferings became part and parcel of our lives after the act of betrayal. The rust symbolises the sense of unworthiness that woman tends to see in themselves. Rust corrodes and destroys an object; this also represents the decay and corrosion of someone’s life. It tarnishes the beauty and wholeness, corrupting the body and mind.
The form takes the shape of a foetus suspended by the amniotic sac as they are often seen as precious, pure, beauty and the symbol of hope. The metal strips encasing the foetus symbolises the womb. The base represents “Fumi-e” where suspect Christians in the Edo period are made to step on it to denounce their faith. “Fumi-e” is more than just a piece of metal made for stepping, but rather it is a reflection of ourselves, being worn out after going through the many trials of life. The entire piece represents how a woman looked at their unworthiness from a sole perspective. They tend to overlook how beautifully and wonderfully they are made; carefully woven into who they are today. Gradually, due to the corrosion of unworthiness that is surrounding them, it became an entirety in their perspective.
By viewing at different angles towards the mirror, you can see a different perspective of the foetus from the different pieces of the broken mirror.
Reminiscent of Grains, 2020
Burlap Fabric, Acrylic Sheets, Rice, Light
Focusing on the sentiment of recollection of its very origin; merging the roots of Singapore alongside with the origin of Bras Basah Road. The objective of my project is simply to allow people to be reminded of the history and as for the younger generation that does not know about the history, they could get a glimpse the simplest way to convey it.
Chia-谢, 2020
Rice Paper, Bamboo, Ink
The only time my grandma was seen outside of the kitchen during the day was when she took a break from cooking to rest on the rattan rocking chair in the house. To me, the rocking chair is an embodiment of her and my most fond memory of her ever since her departure from me 6 years ago. The tenacity and resourcefulness of my grandmother can be seen in the rice paper and method used to hold it together is an example of an idea my grandmother used to earn money for the family where she glued pieces of newspaper together as an alternative to a plastic bag.
Another material used that exemplifies the mentioned qualities is the piece of cloth, she would use many pieces of scrap cloth and sew them together to create what is known as the “百家被”, Bai Jia Bei. The bamboo is light yet strong, dense yet flexible, they are extremely resilient. An Asian Woman is very much like bamboo, often portrayed as meek and docile, they are the ones behind the scene that keeps the family running and everyone well-fed while the husband is out earning money to provide for the family. The flexibility of bamboo is reflected on my grandmother’s resourcefulness a seen by how she makes use of all the resources she has at hand to make sure none is wasted and making innovative items to sell to provide for her large family.
Chasm, 2019
Canvas, Suture thread, oil paint
Women is cursed with loneliness due to relational heartache, the urge to control, and the need to dominate men. A Woman’s deepest worries and heartaches are always connected to someone, there is an emptiness in women that we continually try to fill. They tried to hide their true selves, control their own world in hopes of having some sense of security, as they despised their vulnerability. “Left alone to die a death of the heart”, “Am I loved? Do you see me? Are you captivated by what you found in me?” As we continue down that path by doing whatever we can to secure a sanctuary for ourselves in a dangerous and unpredictable world.
Studio Practice
Ink Painting: Studio Practice
Innate Beauty, 2019
Studio Painting - 2019
Studies on Human Features and Anatomy
Malak, 2018
Oil on canvas, thread
The hummingbird is depicted as the messenger of positivity, sometimes considered as the “Messenger of heaven”; working to spur us on and release burdens that can no longer shackle us down. Using it’s needle-like beak, it sews up the rift that has been torn apart by negative thoughts and emotions with positive emotions that is represented by the blue thread which is a colour that is closely connected to tranquility, calmness and sincerity.
They are a vessel of tenacity and endurance as a hummingbird is known to travel up to 2000 miles in order to reach their destination. It’s ability to fly omnidirectional is a reminder for us to stay adaptable and embrace changes with a joyful heart. The wings of a hummingbird moves in the pattern of an infinity shape, this symbolises continuity of the positive emotions that they invoke.
Still-Life Study
Gracefully Broken, 2018
Oil on canvas
Grace is defined as the force that gives us power go withstand the winds and forces of opposition.
Gracefully Broken is to be broken by God so that He can take you to a new level with him, to be broken so that God can put you in a place where you can experience a new blessing, to be used and filled by Him.
Explorations
through mediums, concepts etc
Exploration on Metals
