FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bean Dolls of the Old Trades: A Tribute to Singapore's Heritage

Jesvin Yeo introduces the Bean Dolls of the Old Trades, a wrist rest inspired by the historical occupations of Singapore's Chinatown. Hand-sewn and filled with dried bean sprout husks, the design features four symbolic figures of Singapore's old Chinatown, serving as a wrist rest, plushie, or a memento of the early trades of Singapore.

The making of the bean dolls was a community effort, involving the elderly of Kreta Ayer Senior Activity Centre. The design seeks to raise public awareness and serve as a muse for the younger generations to discover local history, culture, and heritage.

The project started in May 2010 and was completed in January 2012 in Singapore. It employed Cultural Design Studies to explore the culture of old trades and occupations of Chinatown from 1950 to 1970. The project was commissioned by the Singapore Chinatown Association and funded by the National Heritage Board.

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