Introductory Remarks
Crossings brings together works by Lai Foong Moi (1931–1995) in the artist’s first solo presentation since the 1960s. Born in Malaya and trained at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) in Singapore before furthering her studies at the École des Beaux-Arts in France, Lai’s practice emerged during a moment of profound transformation. At a time when the region was negotiating new boundaries of identity and nationhood, Lai’s reception became entangled in these questions. Celebrated as the first Malayan-born woman to hold solo exhibitions in Singapore and the Federation, she was positioned as a figure of promise at the intersection of national aspiration and cultural modernity.
Crossings brings together works by Lai Foong Moi (1931–1995) in the artist’s first solo presentation since the 1960s. Born in Malaya and trained at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) in Singapore before furthering her studies at the École des Beaux-Arts in France, Lai’s practice emerged during a moment of profound transformation. At a time when the region was negotiating new boundaries of identity and nationhood, Lai’s reception became entangled in these questions. Celebrated as the first Malayan-born woman to hold solo exhibitions in Singapore and the Federation, she was positioned as a figure of promise at the intersection of national aspiration and cultural modernity.
Chapters Overview
These discussions have been heavily supplemented by the careful study of work done at key art institutions, galleries and independent research.
Image Plates
Author