Digital print on hand-folded paper (analog lenticular technique), 2026
Chua Jing Tong Catherine
Tampines North Primary School
Catherine’s work begins with her obsession with Hangyodon, an awkward yet endearing Sanrio character, but its core lies in the impulse to collect him. This collection is not driven by nostalgia or sentimentality; rather, it stems from a desire to encounter multiple versions of the same figure. What begins as a spontaneous attraction gradually evolves into a cycle of desire: the anticipation of discovery, the brief satisfaction of acquisition, and the immediate urge to search again. The act of collecting never reaches closure; instead, it continually reopens, forming an ongoing loop of wanting, obtaining, and wanting once more.
Lenticular art becomes central to this investigation, as its structure of repetition and variation mirrors the emotional mechanics of collecting. Fragmented images shift as the viewer moves, offering fleeting moments of recognition that resist completion. The image refuses fixity, demanding repeated bodily movement and sustained attention to activate. This instability echoes the persistent cycle of searching and desire that underpins the act of collecting.
By employing a handmade, paper-based lenticular process, Catherine transforms a mass-produced visual language into an intimate, tactile exploration of longing, comfort, and identity. In this way, lenticular art does not merely represent the theme — it performs it.
What surprised you when you allowed yourself to start with play?
When I started with play, I discovered that letting go of prescribed outcomes created space for meaningful exploration, empowering me to explore materials and ideas, resulting in authentic and varied artistic expressions.
What is one play hack you would like to share to help fellow teacher-artists experiment and create without expectations?
One play hack I would like to share is to start the session with a short, time-bound material exploration. Focusing solely on responding to the materials instead of the outcome. This creates space for curiosity and playful discovery.
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