Bean Dolls of the Old Trades Ukuphumula Kwesihlakala by Jesvin Yeo

Bean Dolls of the Old Trades Ukuphumula Kwesihlakala by Jesvin Yeo is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2021 Umklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award in Izipho Competition Category.

InsimbiIzipho· 2021

Bean Dolls of the Old Trades Ukuphumula Kwesihlakala

by Jesvin Yeo

Client: Designing Cultures Studio

Umklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award Winner in Izipho Category

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Colors

The Design

About Bean Dolls of the Old Trades Ukuphumula Kwesihlakala

Ukwenza ngendlela evamile yamakhoba ahluma kabhontshisi omisiwe, Onodoli Bean bafaka imifanekiso emine yase-Singapore yaseChinatown yakudala: uTowkay, umalume kaKopi, owesifazane wakwaSamsui kanye noMajie. Basiza ekwakheni iSingapore endala ngokudala amathuba emisebenzi, ukuhlinzeka ngokunethezeka kwe-cuppa, ukwakha ingqalasizinda kanye nokuhlinzeka ngokunakekelwa kwezingane, ngokulandelana. Ngomzamo wabantu abadala baseChinatown bamanje, onodoli bebhontshisi baklanywe njengendawo yokuphumula yesandla, ithoyizi elithandeka noma isikhumbuzo semisebenzi yakudala. Ihlose ukusebenza njengendawo yokugcina izinto ezotholwa umlando wendawo futhi ikhuthaze izizukulwane ezincane ukuthi zihlole kabanzi amasiko azo.

The Recognition

About the Umklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award

Bean Dolls of the Old Trades Ukuphumula Kwesihlakala iwinile uMklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award, ukwaziswa okuhloniphekile okunikezwa imiklamo emihle ehlangabezana nezidingo zobungcweti nezemboni ezilindelekile ezimpahleni ezihlelwe kahle. Abawinile beNsimbi babonisa ikhono elikhulu, ubungcweti obuphezulu, ukuqonda kochwepheshe namandla okudala abadali babo. Bean Dolls of the Old Trades Ukuphumula Kwesihlakala ilindeleke ukuba ibe yinto exatshwa kakhulu, edunyiswayo nethandwayo esebenzayo nenezinto ezintsha. Lo mklamo owinile uMklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award uhlanganisa izindlela ezinhle kakhulu zemboni futhi unezimfanelo zobuchwepheshe ezifanelekile ezihlanganiswe nolwazi nethalente. Bean Dolls of the Old Trades Ukuphumula Kwesihlakala iyahlonishwa ngenxa yokucophelela kwayo futhi ihlelelwe ukulethela izinguquko zomgangatho wempilo ezisiza ukwenza umhlaba ube yindawo engcono.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Hand-sewn and filled with dried bean sprout husks, the Bean Dolls of four symbolic figures of Singapore old Chinatown are designed as a wrist rest, a plushie, or a memento of the early trades of Singapore. The design is a combined effort of the designer and the elderly of current Chinatown who used the traditional method of making bean husk pillows. The design seeks to raise public awareness and serve as a muse for the younger generations to discover local history, culture and heritage.
Dimensions & Packaging: 120 mm x 60 mm x 270 mm
Estimated dimensions as the size of the hand-sewn bean dolls may vary slightly.
Tags: Traditional Occupations, Old Trades, Cultural Heritage, Bean Doll, Wrist Rest
Production Technology: The making of the bean dolls was a community effort. With help from the elderly of Kreta Ayer Senior Activity Centre, sacks of bean sprout husks were collected from neighbours, washed and dried in the sun till the husks are dried and solidified. The dried husks were then left in a cool, dry place and carefully handpicked for production. Illustrations of the figures were printed on organic textiles using digital textile printing, which is an eco-friendly process. Next, the elderly cut and stitched the fabric, stuffed them with bean sprout husks, cotton and gave shape to a nice and firm bean doll.
Design Challenge: The challenge was to interview the remaining trade people as they:
i) only speak dialects which lead to some difficulty in understanding
ii) are too old to be interviewed
iii) feel ashamed of their ex-job
iv) are the only survivor of their trade (Samsui woman and Majie) and has been interviewed too many times before.
Samsui woman, dressed in blue samfoos and a red headgear, is a construction worker who fetches building materials. Majie, dressed in black and white samfoos, dedicate their lives to servanthood with unwavering loyalty.
Research: The project employed Cultural Design Studies method to explore the culture of old trades and occupations of Chinatown from 1950 to1970. Desk research and empirical data from scholars and trade people were collected and analyzed to envisages the culture through the perspective of visual communication and to shape multiple conceptions of place and identity. The design outputs are functional mementoes that aim to promote the values and appreciative awareness of Asian cultures and history. Commission by the Singapore Chinatown Association and funded by the National Heritage Board.
Inspiration: The project was inspired by the small bean husks pillow used by Chinese Singaporeans to give a sense of security and cushions any sudden noises that may shock their babies. Relating jobs with security. The initial idea was to introduce exciting occupations in the 1950s, such as gangsters of secret societies and coolie, laborer from China. However, the client rejected the unglamorous occupations to avoid any touchy subject. Eventually, the design focused on people who help built Singapore.
Project Duration: The project started in May 2010 and finished and launched in January 2012 in Singapore.
Operation Flow: The design is multifunctional as it can be used a wrist rest or played as a comfort stuffed toy. Importantly, it is also a memento of the old trade of Singapore Chinatown, which supported the critical period of the development and independence of Singapore. Through interaction, the design seeks to raise public interests and encourage the younger generations to probe further into our culture and heritage.
Patents: Copyrights belong to Jesvin Yeo, 2012-2020
Team Members: Jesvin Yeo
Alvin Ng
Image Credits: Image #1: Designer Jesvin Yeo, Bean dolls old trades_Main, 2012
Image #2: Designer Jesvin Yeo, Bean dolls old trades_01, 2012
Image #3: Designer Jesvin Yeo, Bean dolls old trades_02, 2012
Image #4: Designer Jesvin Yeo, Bean dolls old trades_03, 2012
Image #5: Designer Jesvin Yeo, Bean dolls old trades_04, 2012