Pedas-Pedas
Pedas-Pedas
National Museum of Singapore, 2006
Pedas-Pedas (2006) is one of Kumari Nahappan’s earliest large-scale public sculptures, commissioned by the National Museum of Singapore and curated by Tay Swee Lin. Drawing from the Naturalist tradition that shaped her early studio practice, Kumari magnifies the humble chilli pepper into a monumental form; resting it directly on the museum lawn, as if it had tumbled down from nearby Fort Canning and come to rest like a ripening fruit.
Devoid of a pedestal, Pedas-Pedas was designed to sit in direct contact with the ground, enhancing its lifelike presence and reinforcing its connection to nature. This strategic placement and scale were intended to evoke both surprise and delight—transforming a familiar object into something fantastical. Kumari likened the experience to stumbling upon a “giant chilli-pepper,” an otherworldly encounter in the midst of the city, akin to Alice’s adventures in Wonderland.
The sculpture exudes weight and gravity, yet retains the playful energy and cultural resonance of the chilli—a recurring motif in Kumari’s work. It becomes a symbol of vitality, heritage, and spice—rooted in nature yet scaled to awe, inviting viewers into a moment of marvel and imagination.
https://www.roots.gov.sg/places/places-landing/Places/landmarks/public-art-walking-trail/pedas-pedas