Erika Tan, Halimah-the-Empire-Exhibition-weaver-who-died-whilst-performing-her-craft

Unfolding over a period of three weeks is a special project by London based, Artist-in-Residence Erika Tan (Singapore). Focusing on the forgotten historical figure of Halimah the Malay weaver, Tan will revive her through a series of footnotes and instigate a process of collective labour towards the understanding that history is an effort built by many.

Halimah lived and worked with 19 other Malayans in the 1924 Empire Exhibition in London essentially engaging not only in the production of woven material but also symbolically reproducing Britain’s capital (its colonial subjects). During the day Halimah demonstrated her craft and sold products on one side of the Malayan Pavilion and at night lived behind the displays, cooking, eating and performing everyday life.

This project seeks to liberate Halimah from her textual existence and re-insert her into a contemporary dialogue around nation, art and value – or place, labour, capital. The Lab will be used in a triad of layers – as an exhibition space, a film studio and the site of a live “broadcast” debate with debaters, Meiyi Chan, Annabel Tan, Loh An Lin, Abigail Wong, Sara Ng and Geetha Creffield. They will be joined by filmmakers Lor Huiyun and Jolinna Ang.

Residency (6 July – 3 August 2015)

NTU CCA Residencies Exhibition: Erika Tan, Halimah-the-Empire-Exhibition-weaver-who-died-whilst-performing-her-craft (14 Jul, Tue 2 Aug, Sun)

Performance / debate / film (25 July 2015)
As part of the residency/exhibition a live performance debate/film shoot took place. 6 female debaters were employed to argue 2 propositions in which the 'forgotten weaver' was its primary subject. The debate was filmed and a live audience was present.

Motion One:
This House would actively repatriate excluded artists like Halimah back into the Singapore art canon.

Motion Two:
This House would insist that the National Gallery should incorporate excluded indigenous cultural
production such as Halimahs' (Malay female crafts people) as part of the national canon.

Participants:
Meiyi Chan: Halimah 1
Annabel Tan: Halimah 2
Loh An Lin: Halimah 3
Abigail Wong: Halimah 4
Sara Ng: Halimah 5
Geetha Creffield: Chair
Lor Huiyun: AD/Producer
Erika Tan: Artist
Individuals attending the event: Audience
Eliza Tan, Nora Taylor: Specialist Respondents

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