Female Gaze
〰️ Agnes Christina x Lizzie Wee 〰️
Female Gaze 〰️ Agnes Christina x Lizzie Wee 〰️
Female Gaze
What defines the Female Gaze? This online exhibition documents and explores the initial conversation and exchange between Indonesian artist and dramaturg, Agnes Christina, and Singaporean artist, curator, and designer Lizzie Wee. In bringing together 12 works each from Agnes’ Women of Java and Lizzie’s Unlit Matches, both coincidentally works on fabric, along with one new work from each artist, this showcase aims to shift perspectives on what it means to be a woman in the contemporary art world. With their vastly diverse interests and talents, Lizzie and Agnes engage in conversations surrounding the experience of being multi-hyphenates exploring parallel themes which run through both women’s individual practices, like ‘living’ on the internet but constantly moving house, exploring the societal roles and expectations of the Southeast Asian woman, and working with identity, traditions, and texts.
Agnes’ Women of Java is a series of works depicting 35 different types of women described in the Primbon Jawa, a text popular in Java for its practical and mystical advice and fortune-telling, not unlike Feng Shui. Lizzie’s Unlit Matches is a series of fabric works using responsive texts to her experiences with online dating. In using humour and their perspectives on the absurdities of two social traditions and institutions still utilised today, the Primbon Jawa and Online Dating, Agnes and Lizzie contemplate what the female gaze holds, questions, and how it shifts. Rather than solely focusing on judging and thus subverting the male gaze, the artists invite you to an intimate discussion of how to be critical and thoughtful of traditions of our heritage that we still uphold today and institutions of the present that may still reflect the past, without dismissing them entirely. The female gaze might simply be about looking indirectly by subtly exerting the soft power we have been socialised to wield.
webpage designed & curated by Lizzie Wee
Installation view of Agnes Christina’s Women of Java
Women of Java
In many cultures, there usually is a study of reading someone’s physical features to understand the characteristics of a person. In Javanese culture, there is something similar to it called Ilmu Katuranggan.
Ilmu katuranggan literally means study of horses, but it could also mean study of bodies.
In Primbon Betaljemur Adammakna (Javanese version of farmer’s almanac), ilmu katuranggan is elaborated in depth. There are so many types of Javanese women explained in Primbon, but very little explanation on men.
The classification of women in Primbon is mainly directed towards the desirability level of women to be a wife. And overall, women that belongs to the highly desirable to be married to are those who has good body figure proportion, submissive towards men, doesn’t talk much, dilligent in housekeeping and brings fortune for the family. This leaves very little types of women to fall under the “desirable ones” and many types of women under the “undesirable ones”. How fair. But this is no surprise, since Primbon was written by men, and the Javanese are very patriarchal in nature.
Ilmu katuranggan, in essence, is one stage of our lives where we try to understand other organism in order to align with them. When the rider and the horse is united and have the same destination, then the concept of who is riding and who is being ridden disappear. What’s left is just the wind as their trail. However, human, being human, tend to not be wise. In the end, Ilmu katuranggan becomes a tool to judge others based on their looks.
To understand someone’s character, the first thing we can see is the physical appearance. But to know someone in depth, we have to observe their relation with their environments. Most importantly, for us to exist and be, we don’t need any approval from anyone.
— Agnes Christina
Unlit Matches on view at I_S_L_A_N_D_S Gallery
Unlit Matches
Exploring the seductive potential of connections made online, Unlit Matches delves into the delicate and humorous poetry of the failure to connect.
Spending the last few years researching the platforms of online networking and social media, the best way I knew how, by directly engaging and using various dating apps, for both research and pleasure.
By trying to make sense of dating and meeting new people in the age of dating apps, I’m interested in the prose of potential suitors and my newly acquired learned skill of reading between the lines of the profiles put online, both on the apps where we intentionally seek romance, and on social media, where we all simply want to be liked.
Routinely commenting on the profiles that stick out to me and posting them on my personal Instagram stories, with identities scrubbed, became a way to connect to others also on this dating journey. It was easy to commiserate and comforting to know I wasn’t alone. I had many conversations in order to understand why we relate so deeply to the struggle of trying to make a love connection in the present day.
Is it that we simply have too much choice or that we are too picky, as the media might question. I posit that instead we are raising our baseline and are aware of the potential of having a healthy, loving, and emotionally mature relationship (which might not look conventional) and won’t settle for less.
In cataloguing the most interesting (or mostly both funny and sad) profiles, I reflected on the adventure so far and wrote what might seem like flippant quips and affixed them to these fabric ‘flags’ reminiscent of the red and green flags we often talk about in relationships, but by using other colours and textures, I speak directly on my personal experiences and the grey areas of pondering the unlit matches of the past (either by luck or by choice) or the possibilities of potential future matches.
— Lizzie Wee
If there’s a spark would we catch aflame?, Lizzie Wee, 60cm x 92cm, Medium: Glitter, fabric glue, batik printed cloth.
The first part of the couplet that gave the name to this series: “If there’s a spark, would we catch aflame? All I am is an unlit match.” A musing on the ‘spark’ we often speak about when meeting new suitors; if we are all unlit matches, I imagined that a tiny spark of connection might set relationships in motion, aflame with passion and perhaps mutual understanding, which I believe to be the beginning of all good things.
Price: $350
If the purchaser is in Singapore, an in-person pick-up can be arranged. Each purchase includes a signed Certificate of Authenticity by the Artist.
Menjangan Ketawan, Agnes Christina, 42cm x 42cm x 20cm, Medium: canvas, water-based paint and lightbox.
Menjangan ketawan means a wounded deer. This figure of a woman on the wounded deer represents all of us who are healing from the traumas we may have gone through. She runs like crazy, ignoring anything around her, just to get rid of her pain. People think she is selfish, but really, we do need to be selfish at times in order to get back on our feet on our own terms.
Price: $350
Inclusive of shipping to Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Each purchase includes a signed Certificate of Authenticity by the Artist.
What does the Female Gaze mean to you?
Lizzie
The female gaze might seem to be obviously the opposite of the male gaze - which is prevalent in most mainstream media of the past and even some of the present. So first, defining the male gaze would be that it presupposes a male point of view, and that female characters and women are often sidelined or not fully explored. The opposite would be for it to be a female protagonist and male characters to be the ones to be sidelined, but I think rather than direct opposition to the male gaze, I believe the female gaze focuses more on negative spaces left by the male gaze - the characters in the periphery and giving space and agency to women in and out of the spotlight.
Agnes
I believe it is a perception that liberates us, women, from the judgement of the other gender, giving ourselves some space to just be ourselves without the fear of being judged.
Durga Ratu, Agnes Christina, 42cm x 42cm x 20cm, Medium: canvas, water-based paint and lightbox.
Durga Ratu means the queen of Durga. She is very loud and will make sure everyone hears her. People accuse her of being oppressive towards others because of the information that she brings to light. I’d like to think she is a female activist. Being loud doesn’t necessarily mean being oppressive. Being a woman, sometimes we have no choice but to be super loud to make our voices heard. If you feel oppressed because of her voice, then maybe you are the one hurting her the most.
Price: $350
Inclusive of shipping to Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Each purchase includes a signed Certificate of Authenticity by the Artist.
Nihilists need not apply, Lizzie Wee, 31.5cm x 36cm, Medium: Glitter, fabric glue, velvet, pompoms.
Somehow a number of people’s profiles referenced nihilism and I’m unsure when this trend began, but I am opposed to being so pessimistic in life. Dating is subjective and what one might see as a personal ‘red flag’ might be another’s ‘green’ one. I’m also enamoured with a sentiment I saw in a meme once, emblazoned on an image of our Lord and saviour Cher, “you can’t call yourself a nihilist if you believe in life after love.” And I do, I believe in life after love and that simply means that nihilists need not apply to date me.
Price: $250
If the purchaser is in Singapore, an in-person pick-up can be arranged. Each purchase includes a signed Certificate of Authenticity by the Artist.
Female Gaze Exclusive Work
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Female Gaze Exclusive Work * ~ *
Looking at me, looking at you, Lizzie Wee, 14.8cm x 21cm, Medium: limited edition print on paper. Edition of 20 + 3AP
In contemplating the meaning of the female gaze, I felt like it was about observation of neglected areas, and the ways in which by identifying ourselves we often look around us as how others identify themselves. This phrase came to mind when thinking about how I approach my own research of Southeast Asian female roles in media and pop culture. The centring of the female identity is humble, in my experience, it isn’t always proudly and loudly taking up space in the forefront. It is rooted in many kinds of looking, which might be quiet at first, before confidently constructing and performing femininity.
Price: $50 each
If the purchaser is in Singapore, an in-person pick-up can be arranged.
What a relief! (Edition 1/10) Agnes Christina, 29cm x 42cm, Medium: limited edition polyester thread embroidery on canvas.
We, as women, have so many must-s, don't-s and can't-s imposed on us by the male gaze. Through the process of thinking about and preparing for this Female Gaze exhibition, this artwork was born from just one simple conclusion that I derived from what I define as crux of the female gaze. The ultimate thing for women to do is to just be and to take up space. I hope that we could unload all the expectations, (the must-s, don't-s and can't-s) that have been burdening us inside and be relieved that eventually, we can be whatever version of us that we want to be.
Price: $100 each
Note: each edition will be unique due to the nature of production and can be viewed below. Inclusive of shipping to Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.
Do you feel like you are at a disadvantage because you are a female artist?
Agnes
I’ve never really felt that way, actually. I feel I have the same chance as male artists in terms of opportunity. maybe I am privileged to live around people who make me think that way… but I think in the art scene if you want to see it as a competition, it is a competition of whose life experience is richer and how skilful you are in translating your thoughts into your works. that is if you want to see the art scene as a competition, though. I do not want to see it as a competition, as it will kill the joy of creating art for me.
Lizzie
There have been specific moments when I feel like the art scene can be a bit of a boys club, but rather than being at a disadvantage for being a woman, lately I think it’s more that If you don’t know the right people. In fact, I think there might be times when I will be asked to join a show about the female experience or curate a women-only show, or a show about femininity, and I’m more worried about being pigeonholed into a specific style or topic forever. I’m a champion of women’s issues and the female experience, but I’m also concerned with many intersectional issues I hope to explore in future works.
Sri Tumurun, Agnes Christina, 42cm x 42cm x 20cm, canvas, water-based paint and lightbox.
Sri Tumurun means the Goddess Sri who descends from heaven. She brings fortune to her partner and takes care of her partner well. But she is very sensitive and might get offended easily.
Price: $350
Inclusive of shipping to Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Each purchase includes a signed Certificate of Authenticity by the Artist.
God’s gift to women was probably vibrators, sorry hun, Lizzie Wee, 30cm x 29.5cm, Medium: Glitter, fabric glue, embroidered tissue holder.
This sentiment came to mind when I was scrolling through some profiles and saw one which proclaimed that they were “god’s gift to women.” Besides inducing an incredible eye-roll and an audible scoff, it also gave me the thought which birthed this piece.
Price: $250
If the purchaser is in Singapore, an in-person pick-up can be arranged. Each purchase includes a signed Certificate of Authenticity by the Artist.
What roles do you play as a woman?
Agnes
I play many, many roles. Even in terms of jobs, I do various things from theatre to visual art, and I run a clothing line and sometimes do translation for an extra hustle. I tend to quickly adapt to whatever role I am in my jobs/projects, but I really, really find it hard to fit into the community that I live with every day, i.e. neighbours. Especially since I recently moved to a village. Most of the women in this village are stay-at-home mothers, and anytime during the day, they might pop up at your house and try to have some chit chat. It's a very pleasant surprise to have them visit you, but i struggle with the chit chat. I am just not good in having light, menial conversation, and apparently, it is an art that all women should have in their blood.
Lizzie
I think I play many roles, much like the women around me. I am a daughter; I always speak about ‘eldest daughter energy’ with my friends and peers, and it’s this understanding of the role of an eldest daughter (she doesn’t have to be the eldest child), as the person in the family who takes on the most emotional labour and mediation. I am a friend; I think often I’m known to be not very judgemental and thus a good listener. I’m also my many jobs and passions as an artist, curator, designer, etc etc. I’m also known as a single girl - I make work about my dating life and complain and laugh about it on my Instagram stories. I’m sometimes worried that I’m cemented into these roles and that I’ll be pigeonholed into them even if I want to grow beyond them.
All I am is an unlit match, Lizzie Wee, 60cm x 89cm, Medium: Glitter, fabric glue, batik printed cloth.
The second part of the couplet that gave the name to this series: “If there’s a spark, would we catch aflame? All I am is an unlit match.” If we are all unlit matches, I imagined that a tiny spark of connection might set relationships aflame with passion and perhaps mutual understanding, which I believe to be the beginning of all good things.
Price: $350
If the purchaser is in Singapore, an in-person pick-up can be arranged. Each purchase includes a signed Certificate of Authenticity by the Artist.
Padmasari Leledhang, Agnes Christina, 42cm x 42cm x 20cm, Medium: canvas, water-based paint and lightbox.
Padmasari Leledhang means a swaying lotus. This woman is easily pleased by the little things in life. She is as happy as a blooming lotus in a murky pond, and she sways whenever and in whichever direction that the breeze flows. Her motto in life must be “don’t sweat over small things” because just as she sways in the breeze, she seems to bend easily without breaking.
Price: $350
Inclusive of shipping to Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Each purchase includes a signed Certificate of Authenticity by the Artist.
What was a turning point in your practice?
Lizzie
I worked for a few years in the art business world, and was deciding between studying and focusing on design, fine art, or art history. After taking a visual design course (which actually gave me the confidence to do much of the web and graphic design work I take on now), and showing my digital illustrations at an art fair in Shenzhen, I realised that I could have the best of all worlds by returning to art. I always found myself creating; from learning video editing at my production job, I created my first video work for the art fair to just gauge people’s interest and the limits of my own technical skill. I simply brought all the skills I learnt from design, production, and elsewhere to my practice, and I have never looked back.
Agnes
I'd like to think that it was during The Substation's Directors' Lab programme in 2013. During the programme I was given such a luxury of time to research and learn from mentors to create a performance. In those 18 months, I met a lot of people, and got a glimpse of how they produce their art, and most importantly I could focus all my time on my performance.
When did sleeping become a hobby, Lizzie Wee, 31.5cm x 37cm, Medium: Glitter, fabric glue, velvet, pompoms.
The number of times I saw the words “tired” or “sleeping” on profiles, whether to refer to their preferred activities, ways to spend their weekends, or simply to describe themselves, was absurd. I knew Singapore was voted the most fatigued country in the world, but do people have to prove it in their dating profiles?
Price: $250
If the purchaser is in Singapore, an in-person pick-up can be arranged. Each purchase includes a signed Certificate of Authenticity by the Artist.
Mutyara, Agnes Christina, 42cm x 42cm x 20cm, Medium: canvas, water-based paint and lightbox,
Mutyara means pearl, and just like a pearl, this woman is captivating, yet quite introverted. She is protected by a shell and she is careful with her words, but when she does open herself up to you, her personality shines like a fresh pearl.
Price: $350
Inclusive of shipping to Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Each purchase includes a signed Certificate of Authenticity by the Artist.
What is something that is overlooked in your practice?
Agnes
I did dabble in making a bit of film-based work in the past. I never really stopped thinking about making more film work, but for now it is just too costly to make… and it’s a lot of hassle for the distribution and funding.
Lizzie
I’m not sure that many people know that my background is actually in sculpture - I concentrated in sculpture at NYU for my undergrad and worked as a wood shop monitor for 3 years. I’m also quite a decent painter and used to work with pencil drawing in high school lol. I actually heard someone say that many of my generation of artists don’t know how to draw or paint or aren’t very good at it, which is why we make digital works. Although my typical medium is performative video, I don’t think it is an accurate analysis of me and my peers. I think we’re all just familiar with more than the traditional mediums and I choose to use the medium that best reflects the message I’m trying to convey.
Durga Sari, Agnes Christina, 42cm x 42cm x 20cm, Medium: canvas, water-based paint and lightbox,
Durga Sari means flower Durga (female deity or goddess). As a flower goddess, she will make sure that you see her in the best light, as the best bloom possible. She desires to present the best appearance and wants you to only know her at her best. In a way, she is very mysterious, as we do not know what goes on behind her blossoming facade.
Price: $350
Inclusive of shipping to Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Each purchase includes a signed Certificate of Authenticity by the Artist.
How can you like me when you don’t even know me, Lizzie Wee, 42cm x 90cm, Medium: Glitter, fabric glue, batik printed cloth.
There are way too many people who express that they’re simply seeking someone who is “alive,” “breathing,” or “on time,” when I think these are just the bare minimum. There are also people who simply state that they’re looking for “you” without any specifics or thought. People who aren’t particularly interested in the individuals they’re trying to date and are just looking to get into a relationship with just about anyone, aren’t really getting the assignment of dating if you ask me.
Price: $250
If the purchaser is in Singapore, an in-person pick-up can be arranged. Each purchase includes a signed Certificate of Authenticity by the Artist.
How many side hustles do you have and what are they?
Lizzie
Aside from being an artist, I’m also a designer, video editor, videographer, art director, social media creator/consultant, food stylist, executive assistant, curator, writer, and illustrator, so that’s like10 different side hustles. I don’t do all these jobs at once, but they definitely intersect. However, this isn’t anything impressive for a creative freelancer in today’s gig economy, where we are all expected to do our own PR, copywriting, social media, documentation, and design on top of researching and creating the work that is being featured.
Agnes
The majority of my works are still theatre-based. In the past, I used to act, but now I limit myself to directing and writing. When the things I want to say is too complicated for words, I turn into visual art. For a more consistent income, I run a clothing line called @leafthief.id. Sometimes I write scripts for short animations, campaign advertisements and also I do translation jobs, between English and Indonesian.
Lintang Karahinan, Agnes Christina, 42cm x 42cm x 20cm, Medium: canvas, water-based paint and lightbox.
Lintang Karahinan means the star who rises late. This woman represents all mothers everywhere. People judge her for always looking tired, forgetting things and making stupid decisions. But that is motherhood. Deep in her heart, no matter what people say, she will prioritize her children, and all her decisions, no matter how stupid they are, are meant to nurture and teach her children.
Price: $350
Inclusive of shipping to Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Each purchase includes a signed Certificate of Authenticity by the Artist.
Baby’s first existential crisis, Lizzie Wee, 30cm x 47.5cm, Medium: Glitter, fabric glue, cotton.
I came across a few profiles which showed signs of certain people clearly just beginning to contemplate their existence on this mortal coil. Not meant to be entirely condescending, I aim to be celebratory that this level of introspection and contemplation of one’s life purpose and drive is still happening, because better late than never!
Price: $150
If the purchaser is in Singapore, an in-person pick-up can be arranged. Each purchase includes a signed Certificate of Authenticity by the Artist.
Why do you do art?
Agnes
Because I have stories and thoughts that I think are worth sharing with everyone. And when my audience relates to my work, I find comfort in knowing that I am not alone in this world.
Lizzie
I’ll be honest, I actually didn’t dream of being an artist when I was a kid. I actually had so many interests and talents that I found myself being pretty good at that it was hard to decide where to devote my time to (I’m not trying to humblebrag this is my genuine truth lol). I started to focus on art when I realised everyone has a different understanding of the same thing. I was really interested in the conversations people had about art, and how it could inspire people to think about things differently, or depict a time long past, and even then that we could share the same ways of thinking, or humour! It showed me a new way of building community and kinship - and I wanted to continue to make work that helped foster a sense of understanding, because I believe it to be the beginning of love. We could all use more of that in the world.
You don’t even make sense, Lizzie Wee, 28.5cm x 28cm, Medium: Glitter, fabric glue, plaid fabric.
This is a thought that unfortunately floats through my mind whenever I come across yet another unintelligible profile, or get confused by the flow of some conversations. Bad grammar and poor word choice are only scratching the surface for some of the problematic examples I can think of.
Price: $250
If the purchaser is in Singapore, an in-person pick-up can be arranged. Each purchase includes a signed Certificate of Authenticity by the Artist.
Kunci Kencana, Agnes Christina, 42cm x 42cm x 20cm, Medium: canvas, water-based paint and lightbox.
Kunci Kencana means golden key. A woman who is perceived as very submissive to her partner, very old-fashioned and easy to manipulate. I imagine it might just be her decision to be non-confrontational with her partner to keep the peace, regarding conflict as beneath her.
Price: $350
Inclusive of shipping to Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Each purchase includes a signed Certificate of Authenticity by the Artist.
How do you choose the medium of your works?
Lizzie
I usually choose my medium depending on the concept or idea i want to convey, lately that usually involves video, performative video to be exact. But for this work, Unlit Matches, I went with fabric, because it resonated with me as a medium that evoke the softness of femininity with the subtle movement I could create with wind to make them feel alive, like shimmering thoughts that floated in my brain while I was on the journey that was online dating haha. I can be practical and also factor in the storage after the work is made and shown, but if the medium doesn’t resonate with the concept I’m trying to deliver, I usually will favour what the work demands of me versus the logistics of the aftermath, although this approach has led me to destroy some of my more ambitiously sized works from my college days (RIP).
Agnes
My first consideration would be what am I trying to portray in my work. Then my second consideration would be whether I have the resources, e.g: do I have the right actors? or do I have the right fabric or paint? Then the third consideration is storage space.
Gedhah Seta, Agnes Christina, 42cm x 42cm x 20cm, Medium: canvas, water-based paint and lightbox.
Gedhah Seta means white porcelain. This woman is the epitome of the Southeast Asian beauty standard. This standard typically is defined as being of fair complexion, having a proportionate figure, and also symmetrical facial features. The issue with being regarded as a ‘perfect beauty’ is that people tend to only focus on the outer shell, and thus don’t seem to care about what’s inside, which some might argue is the mark of ‘true beauty.'
Price: $350
Inclusive of shipping to Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Each purchase includes a signed Certificate of Authenticity by the Artist.
Dancing stars are not solely born of chaos, Lizzie Wee, 62.5cm x 99cm, Medium: Glitter, fabric glue, satin.
This was a response I had to seeing an original quote by Nietzsche on a profile which read, “one must have chaos in oneself to give birth to a dancing star.” This can be interpreted in a few ways, one of which is that in order to create art, one should suffer or experience tragedy. I wanted to subvert this line of thinking, because while pain can result in art and beauty, we shouldn’t seek it out simply to turn it into art. Dancing stars can be borne from joy too in my opinion.
Price: $350
If the purchaser is in Singapore, an in-person pick-up can be arranged. Each purchase includes a signed Certificate of Authenticity by the Artist.
What or who influences you the most in your practice?
Agnes
I’m inspired by my daily life experience, for sure. Somehow, even though I write scripts, I cannot speak fluently on issues that i have no direct experience with. I can do deep and thorough research on various things, but when I have not experienced it directly, it will lack some soul, so I am very careful with that. Another influence is Chinese songs. I do not understand mandarin, but I grew up listening to Chinese songs, so they are like my comfort songs. Whenever i find a song that I like, I will google the lyrics, find the translation and every once in a while you can find really good translation. I do adore how skilfully these Chinese songwriters use symbols and sometimes play-on-words in their lyrics in order to illustrate a point.
Lizzie
My process usually begins with a question I ask myself, whether that’s a reaction to something I’ve experienced or encountered, and then leads to research and testing. What probably influences my process from there are the conversations I have with my friends, peers, and family; I like to bounce my ideas and initial stage sketches with other people to see if I’m missing any facet or could be overlooking a key component of the work. I judge from people’s reactions whether I’ve made my work accessible enough to my friends outside of art, and also if it has enough layers of meaning to intrigue and entice those in the arts to linger longer with my work. I appreciate work that goes beyond just novelty and strive for that in my own practice.
If this was an audition, sorry sweetie, there won’t be a callback, Lizzie Wee, 118cm x 80cm, Medium: Glitter, fabric glue, tweed.
This line was inspired by a retelling of an unfulfilling encounter which became a one night stand, purely because after talking it up, they simply could not walk the walk. So, what was a potential longer-term friends-with-benefits situation became a failed audition.
Price: $350
If the purchaser is in Singapore, an in-person pick-up can be arranged. Each purchase includes a signed Certificate of Authenticity by the Artist.
Tasik Madu, Agnes Christina, 42cm x 42cm x 20cm, Medium: canvas, water-based paint and lightbox.
Tasik Madu means the sea of pleasure. This woman is described to have a distinct physical characteristic of a prawn-like hunched back. She is always the centre of attention in any event, with her celebrity-like persona, and she is always bringing pleasure to anyone around her.
Price: $350
Inclusive of shipping to Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Each purchase includes a signed Certificate of Authenticity by the Artist.
What do you want to achieve in the next few years? Any short-term missions or goals?
Lizzie
In the next few years I’d also like to have a solo exhibition, and accomplish some pipe-dream projects I’ve been planning for a while, both as a curator and artist, but I actually have broader goals I think, that concern not just my career in art. I want to stop feeling shame or guilt associated with either missing deadlines for applications for the huge amounts of open calls and residencies I’ve been applying to, or my declining rate of production in making works and showing them. I am only human and I only have so much time (I don’t know who else needs to hear that but there you go). I also get amazing opportunities at the right moments, like this one, so I should also embrace the whole “I don’t chase, I attract” mantra, for real. I also want to make sure I have time to dedicate to some passion projects outside of the art scene, I’m illustrating a children’s book with a friend, and I’m also planning to travel and work on my production job in the near future. I know that these things recharge me and fuel my practice so I hope to stop feeling FOMO about taking breaks from my practice.
Agnes
My very very short term goal is to have a solo exhibition for my visual artworks hahaha. I’ve been toying with the idea of having one, but I haven’t found the right time and place for it.
Pleasure should not be guilty, Lizzie Wee, 42cm x 83cm, Medium: Glitter, fabric glue, fabric.
Guilty pleasures is a phrase that we use often, but it hints at being a bit ‘kink-shamey.’ Why can’t people just like what they like without society dictating what we should feel guilty about? Just form your own opinion on things. I’m not here to yuck anyone’s yum. I believe that pleasure should not be rooted in guilt. Unless your thing is a little shame or humiliation, then who am I to judge?
Price: $350
If the purchaser is in Singapore, an in-person pick-up can be arranged. Each purchase includes a signed Certificate of Authenticity by the Artist.
Durga Ngerik, Agnes Christina, 42cm x 42cm x 20cm, Medium: canvas, water-based paint and lightbox.
Durga Ngerik means a Durga (goddess or female deity) that makes a sound like an insect. She is carefree and likes to splurge. People criticize her for being irresponsible with money, but who are we to criticize her and deny her pleasure? Especially if it is her own money. Her financial matters are none of our business.
Price: $350
Inclusive of shipping to Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Each purchase includes a signed Certificate of Authenticity by the Artist.
Pedharingan Kebak, Agnes Christina, 42cm x 42cm x 20cm, Medium: canvas, water-based paint and lightbox.
Pedharingan Kebak means an overflowing rice container. This woman is a personification of a kitchen, the place where rice is often stored and can be seen as a symbol of abundance. The kitchen represents a place in the household, which generously keeps providing those who live within it with what they need. This woman constantly provides, like an overflowing container of rice.
Price: $350
Inclusive of shipping to Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Each purchase includes a signed Certificate of Authenticity by the Artist.
You promised not to drown me, but I’m actually a good swimmer, Lizzie Wee, 57.5cm x 58cm, Medium: Glitter, fabric glue, polyester.
This was my response to someone’s very unusual opening line, in which they promised not to drown me in deep conversations. This relationship didn’t really start but this conversation stuck with me not just because of the borderline pretentious prose, but also the bizarre situationship they were proposing to me.
Price: $250
If the purchaser is in Singapore, an in-person pick-up can be arranged. Each purchase includes a signed Certificate of Authenticity by the Artist.
What is the next project you will be working on?
Agnes
Currently, I am co-writing and doing costumes for a show titled 'Kepaten Obor' that will be presented in Esplanade during Pesta Raya the Malay Festival of the Arts from 26-29 May 2022. Other than that, I am in the early stage of discussion with a friend of mine who is a writer and researcher to create a small series of works about women's various jobs or roles. It is still in a very early stage, so we don't know yet when and where it will be presented. Hopefully, we can find the right venue for it. There is also a comic book that I have been working on, but it has been put on hold for a while to add a few more pages to it. This process of participating in 'Female Gaze' has also opened up new possibilities 🤣🤣. I really hope to collab more with Lizzie! Check out my Instagram @reading_centhini for artwork and life updates!
Lizzie
I have a couple of video projects I’m in the process of planning and researching, but I’m also working on another project for the substation for the upcoming Sept Fest 2022, and have been speaking to some artist and curator friends about some future shows but nothing is concrete as of yet. I will be travelling later in the year for my other work, assisting on some shoots in Malaysia, and hopefully will travel at some point to visit and meet Agnes in real life! I’m also finishing up some passion projects I started but haven’t finished yet due to time constraints. I have a children’s book I’m illustrating and a podcast I’m a part of that is still in the research and planning stages. You can keep up with my work and practice on my Instagram @lizzieweee and stay tuned! You might see a collab between me and Agnes in the future 💖
catch us online, how bout dat
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catch us online, how bout dat 〰️
Lizzie Wee is a Singaporean multidisciplinary artist, curator, designer, illustrator, art director and video editor. She received her BFA from New York University, and her MA in Fine Arts from the Goldsmiths programme at LASALLE College of the Arts. Her present practice-based research investigates notions of identity and belonging; through an examination of archetypal female roles found in Southeast Asian pop culture and visual media. Her works are expressed through video, performance, text, and fabric installation works of late. Her works have been shown in New York, Shenzhen, Taiwan, Szczecin, and Singapore. Apart from her artistic practice, Wee has worked with Sotheby's Hong Kong, and Kitchen Hoarder, a woman-run production team focused on lifestyle and food culture.
Lizzie Wee |Instagram @lizzieweee| |website: www.juicypeche.com|
Agnes Christina is a multidisciplinary artist who is interested in the struggle that people face in life, and more importantly, how they deal with the struggle. Focusing on the rhythm that is created by humans in everyday life, Agnes presents her stories through various media such as theatre, performance, painting, embroidery, and fashion.
Her theatre scripts have been published several times, and her visual artworks have been featured in exhibitions such as Bazaar arts Jakarta, Artjog and Jogja Biennale (Korean Pavilion). Her fashion line, @Leafthief.id is growing to be a cult favourite around Indonesia and Singapore.