MAKATI CITY — Visitors to the Yuchengco Museum can explore Amanda Heng’s “Singirl” as part of the ongoing “Asian Art Prints” exhibition, where the Singaporean artist offers a fresh interpretation of a familiar cultural icon. Created in 2006, the artwork draws inspiration from the “Singapore Girl,” the image made famous by Singapore Airlines as a representation of Asian hospitality. Using elements associated with the sarong kebaya and its batik patterns, Heng examines how ideas of femininity, identity, and national image are constructed and presented. The work takes a playful yet critical approach to a symbol closely associated with Singapore’s cultural identity.
Questioning the Image of the “Singapore Girl”
Rather than simply celebrating the well-known figure, Heng uses “Singirl” to examine the expectations attached to beauty, femininity, and service. Her conceptual and performance-based practice often explores social conventions, allowing the artwork to challenge how women and national identities are portrayed. By transforming a familiar representation into an artistic subject, Heng encourages audiences to look beyond its polished exterior and consider the cultural ideas it represents.
A Layered Approach to Printmaking
“Singirl” combines several printmaking techniques, including lithography, silkscreen, embossing, and relief printing, on STPI handmade paper. Measuring 49.5 by 61 centimeters, the artwork forms part of the Yuchengco Group of Companies Collection. Its combination of techniques demonstrates Heng’s experimental approach while showing how printmaking can communicate complex ideas about culture and society. Its inclusion in “Asian Art Prints” further highlights the varied approaches Asian artists bring to the medium.
Visit the Exhibition
The “Asian Art Prints” exhibition is currently displayed at the Yuchengco Museum at RCBC Plaza, located at the corner of Ayala Avenue and Senator Gil J. Puyat Avenue in Makati City. The museum welcomes visitors from Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and remains closed on Sundays. Admission is charged, with discounted rates available for students, teachers, senior citizens, and PWDs. The exhibition will remain on view until September 16, 2026.
