WOMEN HOLD UP HALF THE SKY (2022)
Artist Collective
Crabs in Clams
Alya Rahmat
Charlene Ramos
Isabel Lim
Kenenza Michiko
Sarita Abeyesundere
Wan Oi Yin
As part of an Allegory of Fourths'
The BA Fine Art Year 2 exhibition held at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Studio' Tower Block Level 9.
This exhibition showcased the work of five artist collectives.
This Installation was brought to life in two parts and space, the research installation was made up of the publication alongside the installation of the thrifted clothes at the NAFA studio. The main tapestry was showcased at the Singapore Council of Women's Organizations.
Our journey with SCWO began with several visits to the thrift store. The clothing from the store was used for all aspects of our work as a way of repurposing and transforming, giving these clothing articles a second life. The thrift store is one of the main resources of funding to the SCWO Center.
Articles chosen from SCWO's 'One Voice publication were re-appropriated and edited to better fit the context of today. The publication was screen printed on textile swatches.
The clothing on the laundry poles contained slogans from the articles. The research installation references SCWO’s roots of starting out at an Housing Development (HDB in Singapore) void deck at Penang Lane and Outram Park at which people would hang their clothes. This work captures a collection of voices and strength in community.
Coming together as a female collective, we hoped to bring awareness to the SCWO space and address it as one in which women can foster a sense of community, seek refuge and share lived experiences. We showcase this through the making of a tapestry. Tapestries, known as a woman’s craft, in itself have a long and rich history. The act of participating in the making of a tapestry creates a communal sharing point. Through this work we hope to stand in as mediators that make way for further discussion that could change narratives and rewrite history.
