xiao mei mei

32.2 x 8 x 5.6 cm/piece x2

Epoxy Putty, Cloth, Gloss Card, Spray Paint

Drawing from the gentrification of heritage landmarks, the work is inspired by how social media influencers (also known as xiaomeimeis) tend to focus on aesthetic appearance. They often use these landmarks as mere backdrops to photograph themselves, neglecting their cultural significance. Thus, by repurposing the motif of the Barbie doll toy, I comment on Singaporean youths’ ignorance of their heritage. By crafting the dolls from scratch, the work also reflects the superficiality of reconstruction when historical sites are modernized, and the cultural dilution it engenders.