Mother Knows...Best?
Graphic Novel | Illustration | Character Design | Storyboarding | Exhibition Design
2023
Mother Knows. . . Best? is a semi-fictional and semi-autobiographical illustrated publication based on a series of conversations with my family and close friends. The publication explores stories of emotional inheritance in Singapore from a Generation-Z perspective and serves as a means of self-reflection of my own experience.
Emotional inheritance is the transmission of emotions from generation to generation. In studying the intergenerational transmission of trauma, also known as generational trauma, where the effects of a traumatic incident gets passed down from those who directly experience the incident to subsequent generations, we investigate how our ancestors’ unprocessed emotions, especially trauma, are passed down as an emotional inheritance, leaving a trace in our minds and in those of future generations.
Through storytelling, the publication will allow greater awareness and understanding of this phenomenon, and educate the various nuanced and layered ways in which emotional inheritance manifests in family units and their dynamics. This will encourage readers to make sense of their own experience, as well as provide them with a culturally appropriate, pragmatic and accessible means for retrospection.
Part 1–Growing Pains
The graphic novel follows a Singaporean Family of 4 and their everyday life navigating the effects of emotional inheritance and generational trauma, with the youngest daughter (Chloe or Mei) being the protagonist of the story. The first part of the book explores Chloe's experiences of being unheard and unseen by her parents, or emotionally traumatic events she experienced while growing up. The format of this section is such that each chapter explores specific situations in Chloes life that is a result or the cause of emotional inheritance in her life. For example incidents of boundaries being overstepped or hints of religious trauma.
Part 2–Rumination
The second part of the book explores Chloe coming to an understanding of her parents circumstances growing up and accept the fact that despite being a victim of emotional inheritance and generational trauma herself, so were her parents and that they tried their best in the best way they know how.
As this publication is also meant to be reflective in nature, there is a page after each chapter which allows readers to express themselves and pen down their thoughts on their own experience with the issue discussed.
Specifications
Dimensions: 160x223 mm (Closed)
Fonts: Mencken Std Text, Rollerscript, Blambot Pro BB
Binding & Printing: Thread-sewn Hardcover, Full colours throughout 76pp
Exhibition Design
Designed to recreate the look of the inside of a HDB, more specifically Chloe's house as illustrated in the book, bringing the narrative from the graphic novel to life.
The exhibit includes an interactive wall which invites viewers to share anonymous submissions about their own stories or experiences with emotional inheritance and generational trauma, or thoughts about the graphic novel.
Exhibited at ADM SHOW 2023: ALL AT ONCE
06.05 – 13.05.23
37 Emerald Link (S)229313
06.05 – 13.05.23
37 Emerald Link (S)229313
Memo Pad & Postcard Design
Photographed by Bernetta Soh Lay Hui