Mama on Palette, Singapore’s first community for mother artists, eagerly announces the launch of its landmark art book, “Singapore in the Eyes of Mother Artists,” on 12 May 2024 at South Beach Tower. Also referred to as SITE.MA, the book presents a rich tapestry of experiences from 28 talented mother artists, explored through nine themes: Mind, Home, Food, Romance, Work, Friends, Places and Movements, Nature, and Future.
The 28 featured mother artists, meanwhile, emerged from a pool of over 100 applications that were reviewed by an esteemed panel of judges: Mae Anderson (Chair of the Board of Directors, Art Outreach Singapore), Zak Lo (Founder, LivingwithArt Singapore), Fang Jiayun (Sustainability and Social Impact Professional), Haslinda Putri Harun (Founder and Honorary Secretary, Harun Ghani Education Fund), Alicia Altorfer-Ong, Ph.D. (Deputy General Manager, Ray of Hope), and Yoko Choi (Registered Art Therapist).
SITE.MA shines a light on each of these mother artists, highlighting their distinct identities beyond motherhood and revealing their unique and diverse spirits. Page after page, readers are prompted to engage with the artists and explore the artworks with empathy and curiosity, pondering over questions like: What is the impetus behind her work? What thoughts occupy her mind? What are her goals and visions for the future?
Each chapter transports readers through different fragments of Singapore, depicted through various art forms ranging from paintings, sculptures, to even lifelike baby dolls. Each fragment is accompanied by an artist’s story that draws the readers in as if they were having a casual chat with the artist over afternoon tea.
Amanda Ruiqing Flynn, SITE.MA editor and featured artist, shares,
“It has been an honour and pleasure for me to unify three driving forces of mine—visual arts, literary arts, and motherhood—to edit as well as to feature in this unique and much-needed art book featuring mother artists who encapsulate life in Singapore through their artistic visions and stunning visual representations.”
SITE.MA is not only a tribute to the multifaceted lives of mothers in Singapore, but also a rare insight into a vital component of Singapore’s artistic landscape. The book allows readers to feast on the stunning visuals as well as gain an insight into the minds and inspirations of these artists. Readers can blend their own memories of Singapore with the artists’ distinct visions, creating a layered, dynamic rendering of a rich, complex and beautiful life, right here in Singapore.
“As we mature as a society, art increasingly becomes an important part of our cultural fabric,” underscores Luzanne Chong, Project Director of SITE.MA and Board Secretary of Mama on Palette. “SITE.MA captures how our mother artists perceive the Singapore of today. Their art, along with their stories, reflect the times we live in, a key lens from which to capture a snapshot of Singapore’s history.”
SITE.MA also champions diversity in the art world, showcasing works by mother artists, both professionally trained and self-taught, thereby elevating respect and confidence within this creative community. Melissa Candrasaputra, SITE.MA Creative Director, muses,
“Having worked on SITE.MA for one year, diving into each artist’s journey of motherhood and art, one thing has become clear to me: there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to being a mother or being an artist.”
The inception of Mama on Palette, inspired by founder Alice Yu Yuebo’s journey through postpartum depression, underscores the therapeutic essence of art and the need for a support system for mothers. SITE.MA, being the first book of its kind in Singapore, aims to remind our society that mothers are multifaceted and multitalented, with aspirations and dimensions beyond their familial roles, and deserve to pursue their careers and passions.
Join us on 12 May 2024, from 12pm to 2pm, at the fourth Mother’s Day Art Exhibition by Mama on Palette, held in the L1 Lobby, South Beach Tower, Singapore 189767. This event marks the official launch of “SITE.MA: Singapore in the Eyes of Mother Artists.”
Pre-orders for “Singapore in the Eyes of Mother Artists” are available until 25 April 2024. The book will officially launch on 12 May 2024 at the South Beach Tower Main Lobby, 38 Beach Road, Singapore. For more details and to place your order, visit mamaonpalette.com/site-ma.