Shahmen Suku

About the work

We all possess knick-knacks—some carrying precious memories, moments of joy; others, reminders of sadness and times long gone. But what happens when these objects no longer spark joy? They often remain hidden, tucked away in drawers or at the bottom of boxes.

In recent times, my life has been a series of moves. Home is now in transit, forcing me to handle and revisit these items and memories repeatedly. Some have lost their meaning, while others I wish to let go of. Ironically, they are now forever immortalized.

 

About the artist

Shahmen Suku (b. 1987) is a Singapore born artist who explores the intricate facets of their perpetual quest for belonging, examining their sense of connection within their family and the wider community. The core of Shahmen’s artistic inquiry lies in the examination of their feelings of estrangement from the nostalgia and meaning associated with the concept of home, religion, rituals, and culture. Primarily working in performance, video, and installation, Shahmen’s creative endeavours reflect their multidimensional exploration of identity and belonging. Currently navigating between Australia and Singapore, Shahmen Suku continues to contribute to the discourse on these complex themes through their art.