After the Circuit Breaker measures were lifted, Tzu Chi Singapore launched the “Stay Home Quilt” art project in collaboration with 3Pumpkins and Maybank Singapore. The creative fabric work made by migrant workers staying in dormitory as well as some local residents were gathered and sewn into a “home” that aims to connect people from all walks of life. In conjunction with the celebration of Singapore National Day, this installation is now exhibited at the Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre from 9 August until 29 December 2020.

Led by local artist Jimmy Ong, the name of the project implies the situation underwent by migrant workers who were isolated at their dormitory as part of the pandemic prevention measures. It also conveys the emotions of these migrant workers who miss their family after being away from home for so long. For every piece of completed fabric artwork, Maybank will pledge a S$20 donation to Tzu Chi to support their future outreach programmes for migrant workers.

Migrant workers living in dormitories have been out of the public’s eye for quite some time. In view of that, the project hoped to create an opportunity for the local community to communicate with migrant workers over three sewing sessions. Despite an ongoing pandemic and the restrictive measures that were in place to curb the spread, a few Tzu Chi volunteers had successfully entered two temporary migrant workers dormitories to interact with 61 healthy migrant workers.

In order to exhibit the collective fabric work by the different community groups, Jimmy and a few Tzu Chi volunteers used recycled rattans to make the beams and 55 triangular fabrics for the walls and roofs of a traditional Javanese “house”. The artwork carries different meaning to different people as it not only symbolises the country where one currently resides; it also symbolises the hometown of migrant workers and the temporary isolation facilities.

Home is where your heart feels at peace. The fabric art sewn inside the house carry the meaning that all community groups are on the same boat, and people within the community are doing their part to create and maintain a stable home for all.

Venue: Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre, 30A Yishun Central 1, Singapore 768796

When: 1 Oct - 29 Dec 2020, 10am - 7pm

By: n/a