Cairnhill Courtyard
With frame: H148.5 x W148.5 cm
Without frame: H143.5 x W143.5 cm
Acrylic Painting, Silkscreen Printing, Foiling on Linen Canvas
The original image for this artwork was taken on a day out exploring. 92 Cairnhill is a heritage home that is located in a road just off Singapore’s well-known Orchard Road. The overgrown foliage surrounding this particular home is what initially drew me to this image. I love the way the blue gate is framed by large tropical plants; it reminds me of the story of the secret garden. I think Singapore’s historical homes have many stories to tell and this is just one of them. These patterns re-emphasizes the unique mix of cultures that are visually displayed in Singapore’s Shophouses.
This artwork also features Peranakan Tiles in the bottom right. These six different Peranakan Tiles were found and photographed during hikes at Bukit Brown, a heritage site. In the 1900s, these tiles were imported from Britain, other European countries, or Japan.