Pae White: Friendship is Magic

An ode to chance occurrences and creative collaborations forged in Singapore.

We are pleased to present a solo exhibition by prolific Los Angeles-based artist Pae White. Having arrived in Singapore for an STPI residency in 2018, the artist allowed herself to be guided by the space, people, food, presented opportunities and Singapore itself. These factors informed the multiple series of works realised through chance and collaboration with the Creative Workshop team. Such encounters and relationships provided her with a profound experience whose effects carry forward till today. It is this connection and closeness that forms the basis of Friendship is Magic.

Taking reference from her large-scale three-dimensional thread installations spelling out words, White’s flocked alphabet and numerical works are an exercise in exploring space in the two-dimensional realm. The typeface itself is a custom design developed in the artist’s studio, titled GHOST FACE. In an optical illusion-like manner, the dazzling prism effect created by the multicoloured flocking technique suggests a certain volume that seemingly jumps out from the paper. The fibre from the flocking itself creates a real solidity and depth by a microscopic amount—measurable by the millimetre—to complicate the idea of occupying space. And alluding back to the sentiments behind Friendship is Magic, the flocked work UNLOST (2018) speaks to her time spent wandering all around Singapore. Though it being her first time here, there was hardly any sense of being lost but rather of feeling right at home.