NATIONAL VENDING GALLERY

Topic

N

°

4

HAND MADE

05 JUN 2021 - 26 SEP 2021

Not too long ago, when one needs a kitchen knife, you don't go to a store, you go to a blacksmith. When the knife blunts, you have it sharpened, not replaced. Ownership was not a consequence of an interchange between proprietor, commodity, and customer, but a connection between maker, workmanship, and beneficiary. This sustained relationship is one of interdependence and respect, built on the object as intermediary.

National Vending Gallery presents topic No. 4 Hand Made, a collection of products crafted by makers based in Singapore. Exerting their imagination on the physical material, each piece of work took shape through the hands of the designer. These objects of hand-manship brings back a genuine position to the flagrant use of terms in today's culture - artisanal, hand-crafted, home-made.

Makers:

Aaron Arthur Foeste

Adelene Koh

Edmund Zhang

Eileen Wan

Esli Ee

Gideon Kong

Jamine Yeo

Jasmine Quek

J.J. Chuan

Lois Teo

Louis Kwok

Melvin Ong

Ng Si Ying

Ng Xin Nie

Ong Chan Hao

Rachel Ma

Seah Ying Xin

Sydney Alexandria

Studio

ATINYMAKER

Arthur Zaaro

byiroiro

dddots Fine Books 

desinere

Drool Stamps

Everyday Canoe

gideon-jamie

Kjungwoodwork

ITCHYHANDS

madebysydalex

Offcut Factory

Parkour Kitties Fibers

Rehyphen® 

This topic is a collection of 21 works.

Louis cube parquetry pins

Named after King Louis XIV, these little decorative pins are made from various hand-cut dyed veneers mounted on solid oak and finished with hardwax oil.

Louis Kwok, Kjungwoodwork
3.5 x 3 cm
BUY

Rattan Brooch

A material native to the Southeast Asian region, rattan was commonplace in the homes of Singapore during the 70s. However, its qualities have been replaced by solutions of the modern world, making it more of a rarity today. ATINYMAKER attempts to exhaust rattan through exploring its potential in aesthetics and function, and its purpose in our time. These brooches are made from rattan peels knotted in variations of a carrick bend.

Ng Si Ying , ATINYMAKER
8 x 1.5 cm
BUY

Textured Hemp Kitchen Sponge

Most traditional kitchen sponges are made from plastics or petroleum-based products and contain chemicals & pesticides. These are not only harmful to our health, but will shed micro-plastics into our water systems every time we wash our dishes. This textured sponge crocheted with 100% undyed pure hemp yarn from Europe is a eco-friendly natural alternative. It is washable, reusable, biodegradable & gentle enough for non-stick cookware.

Eileen Wan, byiroiro
13.5 x 10.5 cm
BUY

Oddinary Scoop

The charming beauty of craft is in enjoying it in the little everyday rituals. A companion that is generous but still fits in the palm of your hand, or stands on the table waiting to be picked up. A little unusual in its shape but still warm and familiar. May the scoop you receive give you extra-oddinary joy. Handcarved from Tasmanian Oak and foodsafe coated. Each scoop comes packaged in a kraftbox with a small bottle of oil to maintain the lustre of the wood. Gently handwash and dry after use.

Ng Xin Nie, Everyday Canoe
6 x 9 x 1.5 cm
BUY

ARRAY 01

ARRAY 01 is made using the technique of fabric fusing to layer organza, producing lightness, gradients and translucency, contrary to the expectations of jewellery which is typically about heaviness, solidity and opaqueness. When layered with a darker organza at the back of a lighter organza, an illusion of having multiple shades despite only having two is seen. ARRAY 01 is available in dark green, dark red and black and comes with hypoallergenic thread.

Jasmine Quek, Ong Chan Hao and Seah Ying Xin, ITCHYHANDS
10.5 x 4.3 cm
BUY

Indonesian Teak Bowls

Teak Root Bowls from Indonesia which features unique grains and natural cracks that are perfect for coffee tables and dining decors. These bowls are sustainably sourced as they are made from the root of the teak tree itself which were saved from being thrown in the landfills.

Aaron Arthur Foeste, Arthur Zaaro
Varied
BUY

Pallet Trivets

A set of trivets made from an assembly of offcut door louvre strips, which can be nested together when not in use.

Esli Ee and Edmund Zhang, Offcut Factory
21 x 21 x 1.2 cm
BUY

Hand-dyed Yarn

These yarns are hand-dyed in Singapore by Lois Teo, a local maker and an avid knitter. Parkour Kitties Fibers is a one-woman business and her colourways are inspired by the local sights as well as nature. “Singapore Flowers” and “Peranakan Heritage” are colourways she has developed specially during Singapore National Day month for the last 2 years. She also draws inspirations from her favourite anime by Studio Ghibli, in particularly, Hayao Miyazaki’s works.

Lois Teo, Parkour Kitties Fibers
10 x 10 x 7.5 cm
BUY

Plant Rubber Stamp Set

This plant rubber stamp series is created by Drool Stamps, a one-woman small business that specializes in creative stamp-making. This series of handmade stamps focuses on creating common house plants using quirky colours and illustration. Rachel Ma, the artist behind Drool Stamps seeks to translate ordinary objects into rubber stamps as a way to reimagine the simple and mundane things in our lives.

Rachel Ma, Drool Stamps
Varied
BUY

Paper Object

Produced in small and irregular editions, these paper objects were made using found/collected plastic packaging waste as moulds without any specific intention of use, they can still function (or not function) as mats, trays, vessels, etc., if desired, with limitations.

Gideon Kong and Jamine Yeo, gideon-jamie
Varied
BUY

Book

These multi-section case bound books were made during bookbinding lessons with students taking the beginner’s course in Adelene’s studio. As her students learn the craft, Adelene makes a book alongside her student so that she is able to show the techniques and for them to also create their own books through practical hands-on learning. Bound in book cloth of various colours, with flottage endpapers, these journals typically have approximately 100-160 pages of Maple White 100gsm paper.

Adelene Koh, dddots Fine Books
20.5 x 14.5 x 1.5 cm
BUY

Jesmonite Hexagon Trays

This hexagon tray is casted with jesmonite, the eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to resin, plaster and concrete. It has been sealed with non-toxic food-grade beeswax, and is ideal as a tray for teapots, dinnerware and mugs. Made entirely by hand in Singapore by Sydney Alexandria of madebysydalex. Her near-future goal is to create more bespoke and mixed-media homeware.

Sydney Alexandria, madebysydalex
13.5 x 13.5 x 1 cm
BUY

Tweet tapes

Tweet tapes is an up-cycled greeting card with a 140 character randomly meaningful quotes or lyrics to our loved ones. Turn and read the hidden message inside the tapes!

J.J. Chuan, Rehyphen®
10.8 x 6.8 x 1.6 cm
BUY

CANOPÉE ( Pencil / Stationery Tray)

Charmed and inspired by the serene grandeur of the majestic rain trees, Canopée is a series of table accessories that imbue the juxtaposition of fluidity & rigidity seen in rain trees. Accentuated with a contrast of soft curves and accented lines, the eclectic and asymmetrical quality of the Canopée trays are akin to that of a tree; One that adapts and moulds itself to the conditions of natural elements whilst providing strength and structure to the ecosystem it sustains. Exuding a soft yet bone like quality, each Canopée tray is cast in white cement from meticulously handcrafted moulds.

Melvin Ong, desinere
23.5 x 11 x 2 cm
BUY

Wonder Oddity

Wood has an alluring tactility that invites one to touch it. Every piece has a different grain texture, a snapshot of nature’s beauty. Part illustrated sculpture, part play object, each oddity invites you to wonder about its tale a little more as it rests in your hand. What stories will your oddity tell you? - Handcarved from Maple wood and foodsafe coated.

Ng Xin Nie, Everyday Canoe
5 x 8 x 0.6 cm
BUY

Louvre Ruler

A ruler whose length is uniquely derived from a single cabinetry moulding offcut - affectionately referred to as “roti prata” by the factory staff.

Esli Ee and Edmund Zhang, Offcut Factory
Varied
BUY

African Mahogany cutting boards

A solid piece of Singapore grown African Mahogany cutting board (there are no strips of wood glued together like you see in other cutting boards — this is a solid piece of premium wood!) Both sides are usable and beautiful: cut & prepare small meals & snacks on one side, use the other side for serving guests.

Aaron Arthur Foeste, Arthur Zaaro
Varied
BUY

Floral Rubber Stamp Set

This floral rubber stamp series is created by Drool Stamps, a one-woman small business that specializes in creative stamp-making. This series focuses on florals with a touch of handmade warmth and playful colours. Rachel Ma, the artist behind Drool Stamps seeks to translate ordinary objects into rubber stamps as a way to reimagine the simple and mundane things in our lives.

Rachel Ma, Drool Stamps
Varied
BUY

Reusable Facial Rounds

Start small in your zero-waste bathroom by replacing disposable cotton wool pads with these reusable rounds crocheted from eco-friendly cotton. The reusable rounds are soft and non-toxic against the skin, providing luxurious foam and gentle exfoliation. Can be used to remove eye & lip makeup, or for general face cleansing. Comes in a set of 3.

Eileen Wan, byiroiro
6 x 6 cm
BUY

Ves-sel

Of boats and blooms. Each vessel carries a different dried sprig, re-animated into life. Every change in bloom can shift the atmosphere in the room. What will you put in your vessel next? - Handcarved from Tasmanian Oak and foodsafe coated. Each vessel comes with an assortment of dried sprigs.

Ng Xin Nie, Everyday Canoe
6 x 7.5 x 1.5 cm
BUY

Tile Coasters

A pair of coasters in varying finishes, made with leftover marble slabs from commercial installation projects.

Esli Ee and Edmund Zhang, Offcut Factory
9.5 x 9.5 x 1 cm
BUY