xin's soft toy exhibition may - june 2007

A Handmade Family is a collection of soft toys that represent an extended family and is made entirely from pre-loved clothing donated by friends and family and is Xin’s first solo soft toy exhibition. Every single member of the family is crafted after somebody Xin has met before or are simply based on people that have been portrayed in films. Every family is different and unique and its there where we encounter the most assorted of personalities and profile types. Some quirky profiles include a rather dull uncle, an outrageously dressed， skimpy-tights-loving aunt, a pair of kindly old grandpa & grandma, the cousin who is going through a teenage goth phase are just some people that we know for sure exists somewhere out there and Xin recreates these personalities into dolls, capturing the essence of their unique individuality. Other fun creatures accompanying A Handmade Family includes household pets such as a sausage dog reconstructed entirely from a brown tweed coat, along with tortoises and cats.

In Xin's preliminary sketches, it was decided that A Handmade Family will be one of Asian heritage as that is what she’s familiar with and the distinct factor indicating that they are a family is represented by their black hair and freckly faces. Xin's admiration for the Eastern European crafting traditions and American folk art further explains her passion and inspirations behind this project. Each toy is made in resemblance to someone she knew, be it a friend, a relative with a distinct character or an image she holds of some stranger from the street. Using fabrics that are colourful, fun, strange or plain, they are used to capture a glimmer of different personality types and in Xin's words, “A certain habit, age or accessory that one person possess”.


A Handmade Family hopes to convey a sense of harmony and family unity through its patchworks of pre-loved clothing by reflecting the acceptance of family differences in opinion, thoughts, way of dressing and personalities. It also reflects the oddities present in all families and how through common love, all flaws and differences can be overcome.


A Handmade Family will be held at Studio Miu Art (#04-20V Ngee Ann City) on window gallery from 12 May to 28 June 2007. The opening reception will be held on 12 May 2007, 7.30 – 9.30pm with the sale of wearable and usable items such as bags, purses and homeware (made out of pre-loved fabrics too!) by Xin through Maki Squarepatch (www.makisquarepatch.com). Do pop by and join us at the opening reception! :)