Art
The creation of ‘Time Flows Relentlessly Like Water’ by Aeropalmics, hand-drawn in charcoal onsite at 21 Carpenter’s Rooftop Infinity Pool & Lounge
21 Carpenter, in collaboration with The Artling, is proud to spotlight four commissioned art pieces, each inspired by and deeply connected to our legacy.
These works not only reflect the values and vision that have shaped our journey, but also serve as an embodiment of arts, culture, and community, planting the seeds for the future we are shaping.
READERS AND WRITERS #1, 2023
BY HEMAN CHONG
430 (H) x 410 (W) cm
Readers and Writers #1 is the first in a series of tapestries that celebrate the world of literature and its profound impact on our lives. The tapestry’s colorful blocks represent different books, symbolizing the diversity of human experiences and knowledge found within literature. It highlights the library as a sanctuary for wisdom, preserving the collective knowledge of humanity.
The piece connects authors, who share their stories, to readers who find meaning and comfort in them. It emphasizes the transformative power of storytelling and how readers bring written words to life, making them a part of their own personal narratives.
Visions of Splendour explores how tropical environments were transformed by empire and the lasting impact on the land. The artwork highlights the contrast between the natural beauty of the tropics and the changes brought by colonization, revealing how the land was reshaped through the vision and ideals of empire
Dwellers in the Mirage reflects how colonial powers shaped their ideas about tropical regions, projecting their own values and beliefs onto the land. The painting is influenced by the way colonialism affected both the environment and the control over it, focusing on the relationship between nature and power during the colonial era.
Drawing inspiration from a phrase in historical remittance letters, “时间真如流水不情” (translated as “Time flows relentlessly like water”), this piece captures the fluidity and constant movement of time. By positioning the hotel at the edge of the bay, the artwork mirrors the shifting nature of water, using its ebb and flow as a metaphor for the passage of time and the inevitable changes it brings.
