Life of Imitation

Originally commissioned for the 53rd Venice Biennale for the artists solo exhibitioin Life of Imitation at the Singapore Pavilion this work is inspired by a scene from the classic Hollywood melodrama by Douglas Sirk Imitation of Life 1959 where a black mother meets her mixedrace daughter who has been running away from her true identity This version features 3 male actors from the 3 main ethnic groups in Singapore Chinese Malay and Indian taking turns to play the black mother and her white daughter The identity of the actor for each role constantly changes with each shot