This work investigates the function and representation of domestic spaces and objects. How is a house to be expressed as a statement of community and history? What symbolic attributes are emphasised and why? What does the accumulation and consumption of material items reveal about the inhabitants of the house? Lee explores a plethora of Peranakan symbols and motifs, mostly auspicious in nature and provides plausible interpretations to their readily accepted symbolic values. Visitors are invited to explore the first two floors of the house with all its decorative iconographies intact and ascend the 3rd floor Gallery to make cross references within their personal observations and general experiences. What can we ascertain about the Peranakan’s innermost or expressed desires? What sort of anxieties built up during the course of elaborate celebrations, rituals and festival observances? A question of the real and imposed, the speculative and the imagined come to a head as the artist peels away the layers of iconographic values, rich colouration and confronts the bare truths. Using book craft, Lee carefully considers Peranakan preferred psycho taxonomies within nature, the animal world included, myriad mythological characters and deity within everyday domesticities of the home.

Gallery Walk-ins
In conjunction with Singapore Biennale 2008
11 September – 16 November
Wed and Thurs      12-1pm
Friday    10-11am, 12-1pm
Sun                        1-2pm   

Artist Walkthrough
Friday, 12 September 2008
10-10.45am and 11.00 – 11.45am
Free Admission

The Psychotaxonomy of Home
by Michael Lee Hong Hwee

Visits to the Gallery only (3rd floor) are FREE and by appointment. Limited to 15 pax. To visit levels 1 and 2 of Baba House, a tour fee of $10 applies.

Join Michael Lee Hong Hwee as he shares how this inaugural exhibition took shape at the Gallery @ Baba House. Limited to 12 pax. Please register early.

Address
157 Neil Road
Singapore 088883

For bookings and further enquiries, please contact:
T : 6227 5731
F : 6227 8743
Email : babahouse@nus.edu.sg