“Moon Party”

Oil and collage on canvas 81cm x 81cm S$2800.00 (SGD)

The Mid-Autumn Festival occurs in Singapore with two things which come alive: colourful lanterns and scrumptious mooncakes. Also known as the Moon Festival, this cultural affair in the Chinese calendar marks the end of the autumn harvest. It traditionally falls on the fifteenth day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar when the moon is the fullest and brightest. I was fascinated by the history and culture associated with such a festival that I was keen to represent it through a painting. My intention was to record elements that made up the story of the Moon Festival. My understanding is that families gather to indulge in the sweet moon cakes – either baked or steamed – best paired with hot tea. Most mooncakes are filled with salted egg yolk as the yolk is said to represent the full moon and their round shape symbolises reunion. I also read that traditionally people would read traditional poetry while enjoying the moon cakes.