VEINS, GRAINS, AND STRIAE, 2025 (commission project)
Veins, Grains and Striae
2024
127cm by 137cm
Charcoal on paper mounted on aluminium di-bond, tembusu wood, pyrography
Bank of Singapore collection
What nurtures strength, resilience, and persistence in a body, a family, or a nation-state? Inspired by the heritage Tembusu tree, famously depicted on Singapore's five-dollar bill, this work departs from its iconic representation and shifts focus to the marks of age and growth etched into its bark.
Crafted using Tembusu wood for the frames and flanks, the piece features a charcoal portrait capturing the fissures and scars on its trunk—testaments to years of expansion and survival. The side-leaning tree branch is burned into the wood, extending the narrative of endurance.
‘Veins, Grains, and Striae’ contemplates familial kinship and generational wealth, drawing parallels between the tree’s flourishing and the growth of a family. A family is grounded by deep roots and harden through resilience, while scars are a testament to challenges overcome. This work reminds us that the scars on any family’s body tell a story of care, persistence, and a journey toward growth and light.