Join Artist Weng-San Sit in a Zoom Conversation with Artist-in-Residence Ted Meyer and Dr. Pamela Mikkelsen, Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and Assistant Professor of Clinical Physical Therapy for the University of Southern California in the Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy.
Weng San is a Singapore born, Los Angeles based artist and educator who has led many lives that included a decade of cleaning and rust prevention work in shipyards and other industries. Currently she is a visual artist who works primarily with still and moving images, an educator and a newbie gardener.
Weng San’s work investigates the systems and power structures that create the dissonance between inattentive, homogeneous representations of marginalized bodies versus the reality of complex and multi-faceted identities; often the foundation of deeply entrenched inequalities. Mostly, she focuses on ways in which bodies that are colonized, colored, fat, differently-abled, aging, economically disfranchised and/or gendered exist with complexities that defy definition, and have always been sites of resistance and resilience. Her most recent work Routine As Repertoire explores routines that women and non-binary folks incorporate into our lives as our bodies go through transformations or challenges. In this project, individuals share their diverse routines; from taking medication, to cleaning of wheelchair, meditation, exercises, rest, community building, and so on. Through the sharing of routines, perhaps experiences such as illnesses, disabilities, aging, motherhood, and gender transitioning can be viewed beyond the tragic or heroic polarities, and the experiences may exist and be represented in all their complexities.
Susan Trachman who lives with MS (Multiple Sclerosis) shares her weekly pill reloading routine.
The light paintings in the series referenced Frank Gilbreth’s early photography which tracks worker’s efficiency by attaching lights to their hands. Routine as Repertoire retakes Gilbreth’s images and a woman’s self-care is shown to be labor in resistance and resilience.
Anna Stump, an artist, and educator found that the incorporation of physical labor, such as the sweeping of the floor, connects her with her ancestors and helps her to navigate severe hot flashes and debilitating pain in her shoulders due to menopause.
Eng Choo Eng had polio as a child and is a two times cancer survivor. As a Tai Chi Master, she practices daily and has been volunteering at the Singapore Cancer Society, teaching Tai Chi to her friends there. She also does Ukelele, drawings, line dancing, and face massage to improve her physical and mental health.
Eng Choo Eng had polio as a child and is a two times cancer survivor. Here, she shares her Tai Chi routine. She also teaches at the Singapore Cancer Society as a volunteer.
Film still from Video. Eng Choo Eng had polio as a child and is a two times cancer survivor. As a Tai Chi Master, she practices daily and has been volunteering at the Singapore Cancer Society, teaching Tai Chi to her friends there. She also does Ukelele, drawings, line dancing, and face massage to improve her physical and mental health.
When Vivian Stancil was 50 years old, her doctor told her that she needed to immediately improve her health or she may not live to 60. Despite being afraid of the water—she’s legally blind and had never been in a pool before—she was determined to learn how to swim for exercise. Now at 73 years old, she is an award-winning senior Olympic swimmer who has started a foundation that provides free swim lessons to kids and adults.
Long exposure of Vivian Stancil at her 5 am morning swim training. Vivian at 50 years old, learned how to swim despite being afraid of the water and is legally blind. Now at 73 years old, she is an award-winning senior Olympic swimmer who has started a foundation that provides free swim lessons to kids and adults.
Eva Sweeney is a queer disability activist and sex educator who lives with Cerebral Palsy. She is also a partner, a pet mum, and a coffee lover. Many of her routines are intertwined with those of her aide, Cameron. They include scheduling aides, physical therapy, and working on her sex education and activism work.
Portrait of Eva and Cameron.
Eva Sweeney is a queer disability activist and sex educator who lives with Cerebral Palsy. She is also a partner, a pet mum, and a coffee lover. Many of her routines are intertwined with those of her aide, Cameron. They include scheduling aides, physical therapy, and working on her sex education and activism work.
Nicole lives with rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition that causes pain in joints and weakness throughout her body. During the pandemic, she began practicing yoga at home to reduce the stress that often induces flares
Routines as Repertoire began with Weng San’s own early-stage cancer diagnosis in 2015 and the care work that follows the change in her body. She was photographed in her room, which has been recreated like her dorm room in Temasek Hall, National University of Singapore. She has stage 1 lymphedema from cancer treatment and has incorporated different compression routines. Images on the wall are from Shape magazine, 1999-2002.
Film still of Susan, Celeste, Wendy (Kuah), Wendy (New), Nicole, Shannon, Eva, Linda, Devine and Sherry taking their medication or supplements.
