Kelly Jin Mei (Singapore) is interested in duality, Yin-Yang, and ‘Equilibrium’ on earth, leading to the exploration of sacrifice— giving up one thing to gain another. Using destruction (disintegration, transformation, or revocation) as a secondary technique to crochet/knit, Kelly hopes to observe the sentimental value humans append to inanimate objects that embody ‘Time’ through laborious craft. Her current explorations probe at transitional boundaries determined by humans, encompassing themes of identity and ownership.
During her Delfina Foundation residency, Kelly will tap into the various interpretations of a boundary, or non-boundary, between craft and art in different societies. She intends to work with old texts of antique crochet/knit patterns to reproduce the pieces, retracing the tradition of craft being documented in informal, often vernacular means, and observing how the learning outcome differs from more formal or visual documentation.
Recent exhibitions and presentations include: Deconstruction/Reconstruction (18th International Triennial of Textiles), Central Museum of Textiles, Poland (2025); KAWRUH, Biennale Jogja, Indonesia (2025); We Begin with Everything, ara Contemporary, Indonesia (2025); Unbecoming, Cuturi Gallery, Singapore (2022); Of Limits, Stamford Arts Centre (Singapore), 2021: The Waste Refinery, National Design Centre, Singapore (2021); and Home Kitsch Home, Singapore Art Week, Esplanade Visual Arts, Singapore (2020). Her work also features in ‘Threads of Tomorrow: Textile Art and Mixed Media 2013-2024,’ by Rodrigo Franzão (Museu Têxtil, 2024).
Kelly was born in Singapore and is currently based there.
With support from:
Delfina’s Network of Asia-Pacific Patrons with additional support from The Institutum and E-Len Fu
Artist’s website
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Please note all artist-in-residence biographies are accurate at the time of their residency. For up-to-date bios please visit the artist’s website.