Unlikely Dwellers of the Urban
Are we looking closely enough at the things around us?
Inspired by how nature sometimes creeps up upon urban structures such as historical buildings, fantasy mythological creatures are imagined as having invaded the spaces in the Heritage Institutions.
Drawing inspiration from the artefacts unique to each Heritage Institution, the artist creates yarn bombs that add an unexpected and totally random pop of fun to the locations. This mini disruption to the ordinary makes you take a second look and think, what is the story behind something I’ve gotten so used to seeing, that I’ve never wondered about its past?
This yarnbomb installations ran from 27th May 2017 to 3rd July 2017, in collaboration with the National Heritage Board as part of the Children's Season 2017 at Indian Heritage Centre, Malay Heritage Centre and Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall. Each location had 2 sites, with one of them being in a more visible area to peak the curiosity of the visitors. Two workshops were held preceding the installations, teaching basic crochet and arm knitting. The end products were used as contributing pieces for part of the installations.
Completed with the assistance of Hanie Kuar
Indian Heritage Centre
At the Visitor Services counter, visitors are immediately greeted by fluorescent flowers 'floating' above the 10.5m long light structure. Inspired by the floral garlands in Little India, this deconstructed version spreads out on 'invisible' strings, making the flowers look as if they have been frozen in mid-air, spinning slightly on the spot.
Taking the elevator to the 4th story, the legendary bird Garuda greets you in a visual burst the moment the doors open. While the usual image of this distinct icon in Hindu mythology is quite intimidating, this version of Garuda shows his friendly side. With feathers flying forth, you can feel the power and grandeur of Garuda, almost as if he is in mid-flight! The lattice fringe gives the installation more depth, as it seems to separate Garuda from the viewer, before we enter his realm.
Materials: Cotton yarn, Acrylic Yarn, Rattan, Chicken wire, Nylon string
Malay Heritage Centre
The external site is the popular 'pondok' (shelter) in the garden of the Heritage Centre. Lie back and relax in the shelter while looking through the layers of knit. Like how this shelter is a common rendezvous place, the art piece aims to bring about conversation, pulling together different people to one convergence point.
Enter the film gallery screening old Malay films and watch the old films through a frame knitted out of stripped Malay fabric contributed by the community, while sitting in chairs with monster flowers creeping around them. Inspired by traditional Malay Batik, these fantastical flowers burst forth from a crochet patterned lattice, almost as if they have a life of their own.
Materials: Upcycled Malay textiles, Cotton yarn
Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
Taking inspiration from the ongoing special exhibition, Stitches of Love- which showcases hand-sewn children garments from ancient China- the pieces here take on a rather whimsical colour scheme. Visitors can easily spot 'From The Lion's Mouth' in the Veranda, an interactive photo opportunity for the children. Inspired by the ancient lion hat and the Lion Dance we are so familiar with, the friendly lion allows one to pose with its paws while looking out through it's mouth.
Enter the Education Gallery, where the Tiger Trio has made into their home. Inspired by the tiger collarpieces of the exhibition, Each tiger has a unique colour scheme and motifs of its own.
Materials: Cotton yarn, Acrylic Yarn, Rattan, Metal rack