my space
Female Singapore|August 2022
Reports have shown that an increasing number of young people in Singapore are seeking their own place to live in. For those who can't or don't, having a space at home to call and make their own can have a deep cultural and emotional significance. Pang Jiawei and Annalisa Espino Lim get four Gen Z creatives to share how their rooms have become a zone for self-expression and how that has in turn shaped them.
my space

CANDACE KUAN, 18, VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS STUDENT AND CO-FOUNDER OF THE INSTAGRAM-BASED TRINKET BUSINESS @18222SJ

How long have you called this space your room?

"Since I was born. There were a few years when I was studying overseas but, besides that, I've never moved houses. The rest of the household is made up of my mum and dad, and a few pets including a bunny, dog, hamster, as well as terrapins which live in my bathtub. It's quite funny to see how people react whenever I tell them this."

Describe your room.

"It's a pretty space in which I hoard items that are dear to me. I've had a lot of the trinkets on the wall - from photos with friends to keychains - since I was young, and some of the prints are by artists who inspire me. Others are just things that represent good memories. I didn't set out to create a particular feel or aesthetic, and have just been decorating it in ways that make me feel happy... Perhaps my room will go in a different direction in future as I reflect on the progression of my creative journey, which will be interesting for me."

How does your room represent you?

"I tend to gravitate towards a cutesy yet arty sort of aesthetic, but I also enjoy abstract art - both influences can be seen in the creative direction of the projects I do in school. I also enjoy fashion and the maximalist nature of Harajuku street style."

And how does it influence your creative endeavours?

"I see my room as a relaxation space in which I indulge in hobbies such as crocheting and sewing - both of which have resulted in a small DIY trinket business that I run with friends (check it out via the Instagram account @18222sj). The maximalist style of my room has definitely translated into my work, inspiring how I draw or the colours that I use. My room is a space where I feel like I can freely express myself."

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