Main Getah/Rubberscape is a site-specific installation by the Malaysian artist Shooshie Sulaiman. Shooshie is fascinated by rubber. This natural material is incredibly useful in our daily lives and it is the basis for creative investigation in this exhibition. Upon entering the space you will encounter the sights and sounds from one of Malaysia’s rubber plantations, and, through art-making and traditional games, discover how inventive rubber can be.

Rubber holds a significant place in the histories and economies of Indonesia, Malaysia and broader South East Asia. In Main Getah/Rubberscape you are invited to create artworks taking the rubber tree as inspiration. There are specially designed rubber stamps with ears, eyes, mouths and noses for you to design your own face; or make an object from the dried leaves of the rubber tree. Other activities include braiding colorful rubber bands and a special weekly program of creating biodegradable, sustainable balloons from latex. Together with your friends, you can play games that have been popular across South East Asia for generations, like congkak (a two-person game) or laga getah (rubber stone race). All of these activities revolve around nature – here art and creativity come together to engage minds young and old.

(Image: Sketches for rubber stamping activity at the upcoming UOB Museum MACAN Children’s Art Space Commission by Shooshie Sulaiman. Image courtesy of Shooshie Sulaiman)