B. 1975 Singapore
Lives and works in Tokyo and Singapore
A handwritten copy of Singapore's National Pledge resides within a glass vitrine, sheltered by a blue sailcloth awning - a remnant from Dennis Tan's self-constructed kolek featured in the Singapore Biennale 2019 commission, Many Waters to Cross. The Pledge, written with two pens at once, results in a "doubling" of the text, giving the illusion of an image out of focus. In bringing these elements together, The Contracts pays homage to Singapore's maritime roots, while alluding to the challenges of nation-building and the aspirational nature of the pledge. The work was commissioned and presented at a group show: For the House; Against the House, curated by John Tung as part of Singapore Art Week 2022, supported by the National Arts Council (NAC).