Do you have memories you would like to keep forever?
In Childhood, small clay figures on a suspended branch represent our thoughts, experiences and memories. Each figure carries a unique meaning, personal to its sculptor.
This sculpture takes reference from Zakaria Omar’s Fossils of Shame: The Pillars, an artwork intended as an heirloom to be held in safekeeping for future generations. Likewise, we hope our tiny hand-made sculptures will serve as heirlooms, preserving our memories and reminding us to cherish the innocence and playfulness of our childhoods.
Treasures and Memories is our way of capturing Singapore’s long-gone treasures. This video is inspired by Dawn Ng’s artwork Mamashop, which drove us to find out more about objects once cherished by Singaporeans. We began this process of discovery by talking to our families about things from their past that brought back fond memories of significant moments in their lives. Some of these objects, ranging from toys to telephones, or even places may no longer exist, but they continue to live on in the hearts and minds of many Singaporeans.
Isabella Gonzalez Dhillon, Hernandez Aleeza Jane Suing, Hernandez Athena Jade Suing and Nicole Stephen
This majestic royal crown was created for our friend Isabella, who was named after the famous Spanish queen! The crown was constructed using metal tealight holders, pipe cleaners, feathers, plastic toothpicks, paper and fabric flowers. The colours blue and white are the perfect combination for our crown. We also created a necklace for our queen to finish the look! Making this crown brought us a lot of joy as we had fun working as a team.
Dhia Aishah Binte Azman , Kwon Nayoun, Cherilyn Leow Xuan Ni and Annabelle Lim Ming Ru
This headdress was created with a garden theme in mind, and was inspired by Singapore’s National Flower, the orchid. We used materials such as paper, pipe cleaners, clay and a hair band, while colourful peacock feathers were added as a finishing touch. The combination of these different elements remind us of the places in Singapore surrounded by nature such as the Mandai Zoo and Gardens by the Bay.
Gwyneth Ng Hui En, Liew Ying Rou, Nagarajan Prithika and Nico Yap Zi Qi
This magical garden hat is beautifully decorated with fluttering butterflies that glow in the dark, as well as bright red ladybugs. We pieced these butterflies together using thin wire to create the illusion that they are fluttering in the wind. The base of the hat is made from a colander, and the layers of grass on top from green crepe paper. Beads, sequins and pipe cleaners also serve as additional touches to the magical garden hat!
Mischa Naiara Budiarto, Elys Nyla Binte Mohamad Helyano, Angel Wathida Lim, Malyala Tanvi and Faith Yip Hui En
This headdress was inspired by the bright colours and patterned details in the costumes worn by Chinese dragon dance performers. The colours we chose were red, yellow and purple. The materials we used include tissue boxes, crepe paper, pipe cleaners, ribbons, egg cartons and paint. At first, we wanted to include the entire body of the dragon, but we eventually decided that the head of the dragon was the perfect size for our heads.
Thais Elizabeth Goh, Oveya Tarshani D/O Lechimanan, Park Jungmin and Sushvita D/O Ganeson
Inspired by local hawker food, we used styrofoam plate and other found materials to create a fishball noodle hat! We transformed materials such as red and green straws into cut up slices of chilli, rolled up masking tape into fish balls, and yellow pipe cleaners, loom bands, buttons and beads into ingredients for our fishball noodles. We had such a great time making our hat, and we shared many laughs while photographing it!
Chia Min Heng, Li Jin Fang, Abby Low Yi Xin and Janice Tan Zi Jun
One of our classmates took a trip to a water theme park during the holidays, and we were inspired to create a headdress based on her trip. It reminded us that one day, we will be able to travel again and take part in all the activities that we love. The choice of materials was crucial as they had to be the right shape for constructing a water slide for the headdress. With our teacher’s advice, we used materials such as paper bags, fruit netting, popsicle sticks, coloured paper, crepe paper, drink coasters and a big, silly pair of sunglasses. We hope that when people put on this headdress, they will feel like they are on holiday!
Khloe Goon, Kyra Tan Hzin Ee, Sharianne Toh Xiu Qi and Zhu Yixuan
Dream catchers and the colours of nature inspired us to create this headdress. We used origami paper, pompoms, feathers, crepe paper, string, cardboard and a hair band. This crown was also inspired by tribal headdresses we saw from examples that our teacher showed us. Putting the different materials together was a challenge as they kept getting tangled up with the string. However, it all worked out when we used a stronger glue. We think that our colourful dreamcatcher headdress turned out well. We hope you like it too!
Anindita Dutta, Cyntheria Khin, Serin Narisa Binte Mohammed Shabirin and Sarah Sim Jia En
The headdress we created was inspired by the traditional head wear worn by empresses in China in the past. We spotted them in Chinese TV dramas! We used recycled materials and found objects like cardboard, straws, pipe cleaners, paint, paper, ribbons, and an old headband. At the start, we put together different colours and it looked too messy. We then decided to use just two bright colours, yellow and red, which not only suited our chosen theme but also made the headdress look stunning and attractive.
Erina Binte Rizal, Andrea Fritzi Ernesha, Omisha Yi Xuan D/O Rajasingam and Shivaani Laakshmmii Squires
This headdress is inspired by our love for nature and humankind. We created it to bring awareness to global warming and how it is affecting our environment. By taking care of our natural environment, we are also taking care of our future. The plants in the headdress represent nature and if you look closely, you will notice tiny human figures! Putting this headdress together did not require many materials, and we realised while making it that less is sometimes more!
Mikayla Chow Ting Hsuan, Adrina Lim Le Yi, Sim Qian Yi and Tan Rae Qi
Our headdress was inspired by outer space and the galaxy. We also came up with the story behind it!
The story goes like this: a long time ago, our ancestors created a mystical hat. This powerful hat contained the whole universe in it. As a result, some of our ancestors fought over the hat and eventually it disappeared.
500 million years later, a girl traveling through space found the hat and took it home! Soon after, she realised that it contained the whole universe.
We used a colander as the base of the hat, and layered paint on it to ensure that it would be fully painted despite its many holes. We then added tiny planet figurines, and sprinkles of glitter to represent stars. Lastly, we used beads and colourful twine for the finishing touch. We worked hard to create this mystical hat and are very proud of our creation!
We thought that having an Alice in Wonderland theme would be whimsical and make our headdress special and different! We created a tall “Wonderland” hat using materials such as a pack of old poker cards, a big plastic container, fake flowers and metal wire, transforming poker cards into butterflies that flutter above it. While we faced challenges working together at times due to the many ideas we had, we learnt to compromise and listen to each other’s opinions. With this strong teamwork, we managed to combine all our ideas to create our crazy, tall “Wonderland” hat!
Our Wonderful, Fantastic Eclectic
2020 Mixed media Dimensions variable
Our Wonderful, Fantastic Eclectic is a series of fantastical headpieces inspired by the world around us, from the wonders of our local food and culture to the COVID-19 pandemic.
We took reference from artist Khairullah Rahim's use of commonplace objects in his artwork Intimate Apparitions, assembling found objects and upcycling materials to create headpieces that illustrate our ideas and stories.
Can you guess the inspirations behind these headpieces? Which one is your favourite?
CHIJ Our Lady Queen of Peace, Primary 4 students
THE PEOPLE
Everyday Heroes and Heroines – Part 1
2020 Single-channel video, 1:35 mins
Mayflower Primary School, Primary 4 students
Student Interview: Zhang Qi
Student Interview: Julia Yip
Student Interview: Emilia Sumano
Everyday Heroes and Heroines – Part 1
2020 Single-channel video, 1:35 mins
The coronavirus may be a sneaky villain that has turned our world upside down, but we want to show that there is no need to fear when our community works hard to keep our nation safe!
Everyday Heroes and Heroines – Part 1 is inspired by Jing Quek’s artwork Singapore Idols, a series of photographs capturing people from all walks of life in Singapore. Likewise, our video work is a tribute to nurses, doctors, delivery workers and many other everyday heroes and heroines who lead in our fight against COVID-19.
We believe that everyone has an important part to play in the battle against COVID-19. In Everyday Heroes and Heroines – Part 2, we imagine ourselves in the position of Singapore’s frontliners who take on bold responsibilities for a greater cause.
The artwork comprises a series of hand-drawn paper dolls and various types of clothing. These paper figurines may don the different uniforms of our frontliners, representing the multiple identities they hold. Enjoy this display of unity and selflessness, where ordinary folk transform into everyday heroes and heroines!
2020 Mixed media sculpture, Modroc, wire and cloth Dimensions variable
Haig Girls’ School, Students from 4 Humility
Student Interview: Emily Koh and Vivian Rose
Our Idols
2020 Mixed media sculpture, Modroc, wire and cloth Dimensions variable
Inspired by the artwork Singapore Idols by Jing Quek, Our Idols celebrates the importance of family and reminds us of the close relationships we share with our parents and grandparents.
Our sculpture comprises figurines of our family members displayed on a cuboid framework. We stitched unique clothes for each figurine to reflect their individuality. These outfits and their unique poses help to express the essential stories of our families. Read our accompanying appreciation notes on our idols here to find out more about them.
2020 Recycled materials, plastic mannequin, steel wire, and acrylic paint 80 x 50 x 25 cm
Haig Girls’ School, Students from 4 Charity
Student Interview: Walia Hasya
Student Interview: Sage Angel
We Are All Heroes
2020 Recycled materials, plastic mannequin, steel wire, and acrylic paint 80 x 50 x 25 cm
We Are All Heroes is a tribute to Singapore’s heroes who work in the background and silently persevere to protect our country against various threats amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
This artwork resembles a cape, akin to the battle armour worn by iconic superhero characters. While the cape represents our desire to soar above challenges, it also signifies the power bestowed on the wearer. It is made entirely out of reused materials such as scraps of cardboard, cut into colourful leaf-like shapes inspired by Vicente Delgado’s We Are Family. These leaf-like shapes represent the frontliners protecting Singapore and keeping its citizens safe.
2020 Watercolour and mixed media on paper 29.7 x 42cm each
Haig Girls’ School, Students from 4 Joy
Student Interview: Kate Ngai
Student Interview: Kaira Khanna
Fashionable Frontliners
2020 Watercolour and mixed media on paper 29.7 x 42cm each
Our series of ten artworks reimagine practical and alternative protective garment designs for our medical frontline workers, who have played a critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic. While comfort is the priority in these designs, we hope that the different colours of the garments will put a smile on the faces of healthcare professionals in these challenging times.
This work is inspired by the sense of unity and spirit of community in Vicente Delgado’s We Are Family. We hope it encourages all to continue to “do the right thing,” not just for ourselves and those close to us, but for the frontline workers who have put the lives of others before their own.
This artwork is dedicated to these frontliners who work long hours and make many sacrifices to protect us.
Singapore Frontliners: Superheroes challenges the idea that superheroes exist only in comic books or movies. In this collage, our superheroes wear different types of masks and capes; in fact, they are ordinary citizens who do extraordinary things in times of need.
This artwork is inspired by Jing Quek’s Singapore Idols, a series of photographs capturing people from all walks of life in Singapore. In our fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, Singapore’s frontliners are the new superheroes who take centre stage in protecting our country from the threat of the virus. They are our true superheroes.
Inspired by artist Jason Wee’s Self-Portrait (No More Tears, Mr. Lee), this artwork is a collection of portraits we made of ourselves wearing unique masks. Before the pandemic, masks were not commonly worn, but people from all walks of life now share this experience.
Despite the difficulties of adjusting to new habits we must learn to cope with the pandemic. We want Singaporeans to know that they are not alone. To get through this, we must help one another and do our part by wearing masks and practicing social distancing until the pandemic is over.
St Anthony’s Primary School, Primary 4 students
THE SPACES
Everything you want to do can be done right here!
2020 Watercolour on paper Dimensions variable
Haig Girls’ School, Students from Primary 4 Kindness
Student Interview: Araina Pandey
Student Interview: Sophie Lim
Everything you want to do can be done right here!
2020 Watercolour on paper Dimensions variable
Everything you want to do can be done right here! explores the idea of Singapore as our “home” and re-discovers the parts of our neighbourhoods that are special and memorable. We took inspiration from Dawn Ng’s Mamashop, which showcases nostalgic and familiar elements in Singapore’s landscape.
Our work takes an intimate look at four different places in our neighbourhoods from the hawker centre to East Coast Park or a playground that remind us to appreciate the different sights, sounds and experiences that are unique to our home.
Haig Girls’ School, Students from Primary 4 Kindness
Our HDB Corridors
2020 Mixed media and ceramics 90 x 120 cm
St Anthony’s Primary School, Primary 4 students
Student Interview: Ashvatta Gopalakrishnan and Zoey Ng
Our HDB Corridors
2020 Mixed media and ceramics 90 x 120 cm
Do you know your neighbours? They may live just next door, or on the floor above or below you if you are living in a flat, but have you actually spoken to them, or even seen them in person?
Inspired by Dawn Ng’s HDB Corridor, our artwork imagines the lives of these neighbours we never seem to meet through the objects left outside their homes and along our common corridors. These objects reveal their personalities, preferences and identities. Each item in Our HDB Corridors was created with our own unique experiences in mind.
This artwork is a reminder to pay attention to the details, and to observe and learn about the people around us. After all, our heartlands are brought to life not merely by the presence of new fancy buildings, facilities, or amenities, but the community living within these spaces.
2020 Mixed media video with sound Dimensions variable
CHIJ Our Lady Queen of Peace, Primary 4 students
The Forest that Came Alive
2020 Mixed media video with sound Dimensions variable
How can we imagine the world around us through sound?
The Forest that Came Alive is our multi-sensory and playful response to artist Zai Tang’s sound installation, Escape Velocity III. It is a reminder that we can play a big part in shaping our environment by closely observing the changes happening around us.
To bring our imaginary forest to life, we moulded colourful pipe cleaners into organic shapes replicating the texture of forests. We then added drawings of people, animals and monsters to the work to create a sense of mystery. Finally, we used our bodies’ movements and classroom materials as instruments to create an enveloping soundscape, completing the immersive experience.
CHIJ Our Lady Queen of Peace, Primary 4 students
We are family in quarantine
2020 Digital photography Dimensions variable
St Anthony’s Primary School, Primary 4 students
“I chose my favourite blanket and my stuffed toys which I have had since I was young. I like them as they are very soft, and I can play with them to bring back fun memories.” - Angelin
“I chose a Toy Story jigsaw puzzle and toys, a Dora the Explorer blanket, a Tottenham Hotspurs scarf, my rabbit and souvenirs from my adventures. Toy Story and Dora are my favourite shows and I also love animals, travelling and sports.” - Ronnieca
“I chose to lie among snacks because during the COVID-19 pandemic last year, I was quarantined for quite a few weeks with many home-based learning assignments that I did not complete. Snacking helped me to ‘bite’ away the stress of having to strain my eyes all night looking at my devices.” - Jazlyn
We are family in quarantine
2020 Digital photography Dimensions variable
We are family in quarantine is a series of photographs depict us in our safe havens at home during the Circuit Breaker period in 2020. Inspired by Vicente Delgado’s We Are Family and Gregg Segal’s Daily Bread, our photographs capture seemingly small and trivial objects like snacks and soft toys which served as our anchors during this time; they were silent comforts that reminded us to be calm amidst the pandemic raging beyond our four walls. Each item tells a story of hope in a time of crisis.
Do you have an item you hold close to your heart? What is it and why is it special to you?
St Anthony’s Primary School, Primary 4 students
THE HOPE
Circuit Breaker: Everything you ever NEEDED is right here
Circuit Breaker: Everything you ever NEEDED is right here
2020 Photography and ceramics 59.4 x 42 cm each
Which items do you never leave home without?
Circuit Breaker: Everything you ever NEEDED is right here is an artwork created in response to Dawn Ng’s Mamashop. Upon our return to school from the nationwide Circuit Breaker period, all students were asked to carry a care pack consisting of items needed to get through a school day safely during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as a thermometer, wet wipes, a packet of tissue, an extra mask and hand sanitizer.
We chose to reimagine these packs through ceramics, as the durability of the material is apt in reflecting our endurance during the pandemic. The bright and vibrant colours also represent the hope and zeal we have in getting through this pandemic.
Geylang Methodist School (Primary), Primary 4 students
Student Interview: Cheyenne Koh
Student Interview: Emberlyn Ho
Student Interview: Ong Gia Boi
Student Interview: Kaius Sim
Student Interview: Yawini. S
Light
2020 Plasticine on cardboard 220 x 170 cm
Who lights up your life?
Inspired by Jing Quek’s artwork Singapore Idols, this work celebrates the people we admire: from individuals in our community to members of our family who light up our lives and propel us to shine more brightly.
The lighthouse peeking out from the background symbolises a beacon of hope and the ability to make a difference even in challenging times. Each tile conveys the story of an individual whom we admire and appreciate. We hope Light will encourage others to continue radiating their light out in the world to make it a brighter and better place.
Geylang Methodist School (Primary), Primary 4 students
Fearful Freedom
2020 Mixed media 150 x 80 x 80 cm
Haig Girls’ School, Students from 4 Grace
Student Interview: Nur Mischa
Student Interview: Lauren Melia
Fearful Freedom
2020 Mixed media 150 x 80 x 80 cm
The battle against COVID-19 is far from over and we are all adapting to the new normal. Fearful Freedom recounts our struggle as students navigating through the uncertainty of the pandemic.
The drawings inside plastic baubles express the worry and anxiety we felt during Singapore’s Circuit Breaker period. They reflect our feelings of entrapment as we were unable to go out like we used to. Meanwhile, the red yarn and pins within the same baubles symbolise the presence of the deadly virus.
Our installation resembles inflated balloons waiting to be released into the air. The base holds the masks that we hope to put away and not have to wear again one day. We yearn for freedom to get out and about and travel around the world!
Where would you like to visit once it is safe to travel again?
No More Fears! Is our optimistic and playful interpretation of the COVID-19 virus. Our artwork comprises small pieces of paper cut, folded and shaped into various forms. These textured spheres represent enlarged virus particles.
The butterflies on the spheres symbolise rebirth or renewal, and the paper chains represent togetherness and our continuous endeavours to keep the virus at bay. The colour white represents peace, purity and new beginnings. The work expresses how we will choose not to be intimidated or fearful, instead looking closely to find the good within.
