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In the tiny former courtrooms of City Hall, Singaporean artist Donna Ong is creating installations that she hopes will inspire and kick-start the imagination of the many viewers expected to attend the Art Biennale this September.
If you happen to be one of them, don’t expect a conventional display of artwork – instead be prepared to crouch down, walk around, look above or stand on tip-toes to view the abstract pieces of narrative Donna has put together using curious objects and contraptions.
“I grew up surrounded by lots of objects… my father never threw anything out – things were constantly being rearranged, thrown around and accumulated… I guess you develop an affinity towards the objects,” recalls Donna, of her childhood days.
With objects she has collected from the Salvation Army and other charity and second-hand shops, the 28-year-old is in the process of creating four ‘fantasy’ rooms – each of which will reveal ‘the other life’ of interesting people.
“In each room you will find a narrative that is the secret life of a fictional character. This is their private space where dreams and fantasies are allowed to take reign,” Donna explains.
For example, in the first room the character is obsessed with crystal caves; another, who loves planes, converts a desk into a flying machine; someone makes dolls come to life in a converted laboratory; and a music-lover turns their room into an instrument.
As well as her vivid imagination, Donna draws inspiration from books and films. She considers her art as a form of method acting where she is trying to be the character that she is creating, and looking at things he or she might like.
This is the third major exhibition Donna has taken part in since graduating from Goldsmiths College (London). Her first solo exhibition at the Arts House (Singapore) in 2003 was received with critical acclaim, and she also took part in the Singapore Art show in 2005.
Her ambitions include curating a show for her friends, developing her work further, and completing a Masters degree. Donna strongly believes that she will only get better if her work is critiqued by others, something she hopes to achieve through further education.
You can get more information about the Singapore Biennale 2006 here. |
What audiences can expect
