Sharlene Lee

Artist in The Little Things Art Exhibition

Artist Statement

“Let’s meet below my block!” Void decks are communal spaces found in the ground level of housing blocks in Singapore and serves as gathering places for residents to socialize, relax and participate in recreational activities. The spaces belong to no one and everyone. Every day people hanging out in the space chatting with friends or to play a quick game of Chinese chess. Occasionally there may be a wedding of 100 people, the loud clanging of a funeral and many other social events that serve the community. The void is filled by the community around it. My interest lies in understanding how void decks help maintain a sense of belonging and community in Asia. Unlike the public parks in the US, void decks are more integrated into the fabric of every neighborhood and located within the immediate vicinity of residential buildings. While parks may serve a similar function as void decks in Singapore, there are differences in terms of their location, accessibility, and role in the community. My aim is to shed light on the simple pleasures of community and togetherness that we encounter in our everyday lives by examining this seemingly ordinary communal space.