Connecting cultures and communities through… cardboard? This auntie-niece duo shows us how

Cherie and Didier at ArtsEverywhere@CDC with their installation Echoes of the Forest.

Meet 40-year-old Didier Ng and 27-year-old Cherie Ng, an auntie-niece duo who transforms discarded materials into magnificent masterpieces.

Their innovative minds are committed to only using recycled materials for their work. One of their latest projects is the ‘Echoes of the Forest’ art piece for the ArtsEverywhere@CDC initiative. Life-sized cardboard sculptures of the lesser mouse deer and greater mouse deer atop mockups of traditional Malay instruments were featured.

For this project, the pair took inspiration from Nadi Singapura, a local Malay ensemble comprising young musicians who are committed to uplifting Malay cultural music via traditional drums and percussions.

Aside from upcycling waste into art, the pair also holds workshops to educate others on the importance of recycling and protecting our Earth. Through their work, Didier and Cherie are building a like-minded, eco-conscious community, one piece of recyclable at a time.

Being an environmentalist at heart

Didier holding one of their cardboard mousedeers while Cherie fixes its ear.

The habit of using only what she needs has long been incorporated into Didier’s life. As a child, she wouldn’t ask for new, store-bought toys. Instead, she collected fallen leaves and cardboard and transformed them into various items to play with.

Her 78-year-old father is a retired handyman who influenced her ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ ethos. Watching him meticulously repair broken objects taught her the value of extending the lifespan and giving a new purpose to unwanted items.

Singapore’s overall recycling rate has dipped in the last decade. In 2013, we recycled 62% of our waste, but by 2023, this dropped to 52%. To achieve an overall recycling rate of 70% by 2030, as outlined in Singapore's Zero Waste Masterplan, more efforts need to be made.

To Didier, “trash is everywhere and our greatest resource”. Making art with whatever she finds around her is certainly an exercise in creativity. More importantly, it serves as her contribution towards recycling and creating less waste.

Cherie placing one of the cardboard mousedeers to its position.

Creating eco-art is a family affair in the Ng household. Didier’s home serves as headquarters and her dad, mum, and husband help out to varying degrees. Cherie – who lives just next door – serves as her aunt’s main collaborator. She has helped out with Didier’s various projects since she was 12 and now enjoys working full-time with her aunt.

As a family, they are constantly on the lookout for and collecting cardboard, bottle caps, and plastic bottles, among other scrap materials. At times, the apartment is filled with ‘all sorts of random items’ and in-progress pieces.

Looking for discarded items on the regular isn’t something most people would consider part of a typical job. It's no surprise that the people around Cherie harbour misconceptions about her unconventional career option.

“One misunderstanding my friends have is that I'm quite free and this job is very relaxed. But that’s because they don’t really understand what we do or the amount of time and work that goes into every project.”

While the auntie-niece duo may jokingly grouse about how tough the work is, completing a project brings them both immense satisfaction. After each project comes to a close, the family will go out for a celebratory meal for a job well done.

The “glue and tape” that strengthen their family bonds

A mouse deer playing a Talempong, a traditional Malay musical instrument that NADI Singapura uses.

Inspiration can strike anytime, anywhere. And like most creative types, the pair are constantly bouncing ideas around. Regardless of whether they’re out for a swim or in the middle of a meal, they would brainstorm concepts.

Arguments are few as they’re familiar with each other’s complementary working styles. Didier prefers working in the daytime while Cherie is a night owl. Didier’s strength lies in crafting and innovating, whereas Cherie’s strong suit is planning and project management.

When creating eco-art with her aunt, Cherie gets to spend large amounts of time with her grandfather too. Together, they would prepare for upcoming workshops, look for materials, and dabao good food for the family.

Recycling happiness for others

Didier and Cherie preparing for their art workshop.

“Some people undervalue our work and ask, ‘Why do you all bother to do such a thing’. They would look down on the piece because it is literally made from discarded items. But it’s okay because I understand not everyone would get it,” Didier shares.

Despite the naysayers, the two artists keep on. Through eco-art, Didier and Cherie aim to spread positivity and hope more people will adopt an eco-conscious attitude towards consumption. Their approach when creating art is that it cannot be too chim (intellectually complicated or profound), especially since they are hoping to reach out to the wider community. Finding an easy way to connect with others and make art is the goal.

“I hope from the work done with ArtsEverywhere@CDC, people can use simple materials to create their toys. We held a workshop teaching the audience how to make spinning rattle drums from recycled materials. Watching them interact with and play their hand-made instruments alongside Nadi Singapura was an amazing experience.”

If you’re interested in participating in the upcoming ArtsEverywhere@CDC events and checking out the next project by Didier and Cherie, take a look at the catch.sg website.

ArtsEverywhere@CDC brings arts experiences to communities where they live, work and play. Every month, members of the public can look forward to arts performances, workshops and activities around Singapore, and develop a greater appreciation for the arts through these shared experiences. It is a collaboration between the National Arts Council, the People’s Association, and the five Community Development Councils, and is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, with Catch (catch.sg) as the official arts and culture media partner.