Neo-Baba is another series of work, which is a reference on identity with regard to social realities within a local context and an effort to relate to an international, global community. There was a self-conscious attempt at laughing at one’s self and situation. “Neo-baba” is a pun on the anti-art movement of “Dada” and the derogatory term, “baba” used to describe Straitsborn Chinese in Malaysia and Singapore. Although not wearing a mask, the handling of a comic persona to me was another way of putting on a masquerade in a different way. The Neo-Baba persona was often well dressed in a formal office worker’s attire of necktie and white long sleeves shirt but sometimes mis-matching costumes to show a disparity in one’s constituent personality indicating a hybridization of cultures.
Neo-Baba also spoke in various different dialects, languages and colloquial Singlish, which showed evidence of my multi-cultural background. I did not expect audiences to understand what I was saying, especially when performing outside of Singapore. The use of slang, dialects and colloquial languages peculiar to Singapore were deliberate to throw light on a unique hybrid identity based on a plural and multi-cultural environment. Some objects I have used in the Neo-Baba series is a pair of boxing gloves sewn together with an opposing pair. When I wear them they insinuate an invisible opponent or fighting with a missing opponent depending on the perceiver. Chewing gum is also used in various ways and actions were made with the gum after an over consumption of it. This was a reference to the exceptional ban of the sale and import of chewing gum in Singapore.
Neo-Baba also spoke in various different dialects, languages and colloquial Singlish, which showed evidence of my multi-cultural background. I did not expect audiences to understand what I was saying, especially when performing outside of Singapore. The use of slang, dialects and colloquial languages peculiar to Singapore were deliberate to throw light on a unique hybrid identity based on a plural and multi-cultural environment. Some objects I have used in the Neo-Baba series is a pair of boxing gloves sewn together with an opposing pair. When I wear them they insinuate an invisible opponent or fighting with a missing opponent depending on the perceiver. Chewing gum is also used in various ways and actions were made with the gum after an over consumption of it. This was a reference to the exceptional ban of the sale and import of chewing gum in Singapore.