The threads that bind us: Unravelling the Unity Bridge with fibre artist, Adeline Loo

The Unity Bridge is a colourful and intricate art installation made up of different threads.

The “As One United People roadshow, held at multiple heartland locations last December as part of the larger Forward Singapore dialogue, saw individuals come together to share their thoughts on what it means to be a Singaporean, and how we can build a stronger and more cohesive Singapore.

At the roadshow, participants were given the opportunity to twine multi-coloured threads to form a singular strand. These multi-coloured threads now form the Unity Bridge installation at the National Museum of Singapore, representing Singaporeans’ pledge for a shared future. We speak to Adeline Loo, the artist behind this piece, to learn more about her work.

Visitors of the “As One United People” roadshow engaging with the Unity Bridge exhibit. The roadshow first made its appearance in the heartlands in December 2022.

From hobby to profession

Adeline’s first encounter with knitting started at the tender age of 9, under the tutelage of her mother. And as she got older, crafting helped her to cope with the difficulties that she experienced upon relocating to a foreign land. “Much like tai chi or yoga, knitting became a form of personal moving meditation, and kept me from unravelling when I was struggling with anxiety.”

In order to build a community of like-minded individuals, Adeline launched It Takes Balls (ITB) to share the physical and mental benefits of crafting.

Since then, she has worked on many exciting projects, exploring themes that are close to her heart, and using her unique medium to raise awareness about societal issues such as animal welfare and the impact that the pandemic had on the mental health of Singaporeans.

Turning trash into treasure

When asked about fibre art, Adeline shared that it is a medium that greatly emphasises aesthetics. “I believe there is a charm in [textile art] — the focus is on the materials used and the manual labour involved in creating something out of nothing.”

Due to the community-centric nature of the installation, striking a balance between showcasing the character of each string and highlighting the collaborative spirit is no easy feat.

In response to the environmental effects of fast fashion, Adeline works mainly with waste fabric, upcycled materials, and other industrial detritus to create her art. “Upcycling allows me to do my part in tackling this issue while giving my work more meaning too,” she shares.

Finding strength in numbers: Bringing the Unity Bridge to life

Working on a project like the Unity Bridge was something that excited Adeline.

“I particularly enjoy works that rely on community involvement, since the outcome is so varied as the artist has very little control over the process,” said Adeline.

The Unity Bridge has become a way to start conversations on social cohesion. The intricacies and imperfections that come with each knot also serve as a reminder that everyone’s take on Unity is different. “While it was fulfilling to see it slowly come to life, I know that it won’t be a seamless or perfect structure — but I think that’s the whole point of it,” added Adeline.

Adeline hopes that Singaporeans will be excited to see their collective efforts come to life in the final installation, and how individuals from different walks of life can create something so symbolic together.

When asked about the challenges that she faced for this project, Adeline shared that she had to keep it accessible and inclusive for the different age groups. As a result, she spent the bulk of her time researching knotting techniques that participants could replicate easily.

Her goal? To create an immersive, tactile, and larger-than-life structure that celebrates our uniqueness, and one that represents our commitment to strengthening our ties with one another.

These different threads represent Singaporeans’ pledge to build a shared future.

Bridging the gap and fostering a sense of unity

“I hope that the public will be excited to see how their knots have contributed to the final piece, and how a little bit of effort from each person can lead to something bigger than themselves,” said Adeline.

A stronger and more united Singapore

To Adeline, a more united Singapore starts with being kind and having empathy. “It’s too easy to feel a sense of anxiousness or outrage whenever we are presented with ideas that we are unfamiliar or uncomfortable with,” shared Adeline. And to her, it is exactly in these moments that one has to consciously try to understand the other perspectives, in order for Singapore to grow as a community and as a nation.

“I believe it’s less about big, showy displays, and more about the small, daily interactions that matter most.”

Adeline hopes that the community efforts from the Unity Bridge can help anchor Singaporeans, and remind us of our connections to one another.

The completed Unity Bridge will make its appearance at the National Museum from now till 20th September 2023. To find out more about the Forward Singapore movement, visit www.forwardsingapore.gov.sg!