Date of Award

4-1-2024

Thesis Type

masters

Document Type

Thesis (Restricted Access)

Divisions

cent1

Department

Faculty of Creative Arts

Institution

Universiti Malaya

Abstract

This dissertation argues that contemporary Singaporean and Malaysian historiographical artworks, although engaging with the recovery or forgotten or silenced histories in the official state canon, practise counter-memorial methods that do not create clear binaries (hegemonic/marginalised, state/oppressed, etc.). Instead, they connect and maintain multiple fragments of histories, subjects and narratives within a complex network. This dissertation therefore applies Veronica Tello’s counter-memorial concept and method to examine the complex network of connections created by historiographical artworks like Ho Tzu Nyen’s One or Several Tigers (2017), Erika Tan’s The Forgotten Weaver (2017-2019), Wong Hoy Cheong’s Doghole (2010) and Mark Teh’s Baling (2015-2018). By examining artistic historiography from a larger field of engagement within contemporary society, this dissertation argues that these artworks act as active tools that map out interlocking connections between multiple subjects, histories and spaces to create new possibilities in reimagining identity and nationhood within the global contemporary world. The thesis hopes to emphasise the significance of historical artworks as a platform that proposes alternative narratives of history that are more plural and inclusive.

Note

Dissertation (M.A.) – Faculty of Creative Arts, Universiti Malaya, 2024.

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