Lament for the Anthropocene

2025
Brigette Teo & Nicky Tjandra

Mixed Media Installation work presented at Boundless: ADM GRADSHOW 2025

Winner of the Thomas Clarkson medal, global winner, Global Undergraduate Awards


Lament for the Anthropocene is a fibre art installation which reflects on the ever expanding and evolving world of art and technology, where one is expected to keep up with the whiplash between advancements and obsolescence. It draws inspiration from the long standing intertwined history of fibre art and technology, while treading a fine line of what is permissible in Singapore's art scene in expressing shared experiences of being in the arts. Despite the wallowing connotation of our title, in truth, the work celebrates the humanity and joy in manual labour, and takes pride in the longevity of art making.

This work was born of personal feelings of cynicism and disillusionment as artists in Singapore. Through our experiences navigating the education system—especially in choosing to pursue a creative one —we came to realize that no matter how how impressive our work seemed to the layperson, true artistic expression and the freedom to be oneself would never be fully supported due to a conservative environment and culture that favours quick wealth – often through technology or digitisation – over expression and forming a strong sense of self and community. We found ourselves being steered toward pragmatism and commercial viability, ultimately diluting our artistic voices rather than nurturing them.