61 x 61 cm (2014), acrylic on canvas with collage elements, framed
With the ritual-laden Peranakan wedding as the central theme, Cinta (Baba) and Cinta (Nyonya)Â were conceptualized as a complementary pair: they maintain their unique individuality while sharing a common grounding.
“Ties That Bind” Series
I see weddings and first month birthdays as auspicious beginnings of lifelong bonds rooted in love, wonderfully set against ties to age-old traditions.
This three-part series is my fanciful take on the interesting iconography associated with these family milestones. In contemporary times, we often struggle to define what is faithful to our heritage along with the natural inclination to express our individuality. With interpretations evolving, I have taken liberties at bringing the many Peranakan elements together. Drawing parallels with my own culture, I feel that somehow, in our crazy, topsy-turvy family gatherings and as colorful and intricate as the personalities that make our own families, we manage to make these celebrations our own.
altered state by arlyn 