Happiness Within My Make-believe Houses

Synopsis

Amidst the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, Singapore, like many other countries, implemented various forms of social restrictions and isolation. This book presents a collection of 100 watercolour artworks by William Sim, which he created during the initial phase of the country's social restrictions in early 2020. Initially titled Masak-Masak* Corner, this make-believe corner was conceived as a simple escape from isolation. However, it soon evolved into huts and houses as the restrictions progressed from weeks to months. As the mind counters the perceived restrictions and seeks balance in reduced social space, the living areas of these imaginary homes similarly expanded.

Isolation can be experienced even in the presence of others, while limiting contact with others may not necessarily make us feel isolated. This book seeks to illustrate that freedom is often a state of mind that we can choose to experience, rather than just a state of being.

*A Malay colloquial term that refers to children’s pretend play.

Description

Language: English
Format: 112 pages
Dimensions: 270 x 210 x 9mm / 410g
Colour: Full colour printing
Binding: Softcover with two folds / Thread Sewn
Publisher: Merchant of Happiness
Publication Country: Singapore
ISBN: 978-981-18-5660-0

Information

The book comes with an autograph and a doodle drawn by the artist.

The 100 watercolour artworks in this book were originally published on the Instagram account "Merchant of Happiness" from 17 February 2020 to 23 May 2021. The artworks are presented in chronological order according to their original publication date on the platform. This book is printed on high-quality, acid-free, and chlorine-free paper to ensure its longevity and environmental friendliness.