Kelly Jin Mei (b. 1991, Singapore), also known as Kelly Limerick, is a textile artist who has been crocheting and knitting since she was 7 years old. With the understanding of textiles as a ‘sympathetic medium’ we encounter in daily life, her practice explores its intrinsic ability to convey deep sentiments through familiarity, both visual and tactile.
Jin Mei's current line of inquiry concerns itself with perceptions of value through destruction and deconstruction of a medium that is additive in nature, and Time as a storytelling device by capturing the laborious process of craft. While considering the potential of crochet in both delicate lacework derived from antique patterns as well as its ability to be translated through various mediums in large installations, her work aims to reframe this craft in contemporary times and urge alternative perspectives by subverting its domestic identity.
Today, her work ranges from soft sculptures, textile hangings to multi-media installations. She has been active overseas with activities such as La Wayaka Current (Desert), exhibited with Esplanade Singapore, and been commissioned by brands like Bloomberg and GUCCI, for which she created their first in-store artwall display in South Asia Pacific. She has appeared in Singaporean campaigns promoting local art, been profiled by media such as Harper’s Bazaar (SG) and listed in Prestige (SG)’s 40 under 40. Jin Mei has also been invited to speak about her art at both local and foreign schools and institutions.
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2024
#4 Objet Textile Biennale
La Manufacture, Roubaix (FR)無駄 (In Vain)
Solo Exhibition
Kotomath Hyogomachi (JP)2022
Unbecoming
Solo Exhibition
Cuturi Gallery (SG)1000 Vases (Milan Design Week)
Superstudio Più (MI)2021
Of Limits
Stamford Arts Centre (SG)Into Softer Worlds (Art Encounters)
Millenia Walk (SG)The Waste Refinery
National Design Centre (SG)2020
Home Kitsch Home
Solo Presentation for Singapore Art Week
Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay (SG) -
2024
Metropolitan Fukujyusou
Kyoto (JP)Art Ripple Taitung
Taitung (TW)LOHJINAWI
Yogyakarta (ID)
Supported by The Institutum2023
La Wayaka Current (Desert)
Atacama Desert, Calama (CL)
Supported by National Arts Council Singapore (Capability Development Grant)2021
C/Residency
Cuturi Gallery (SG)2019
META AIR Programme
META APAC HQ (SG) -
2023
100, LOUIS XIIIDiary, Bloomberg Singapore
Bloomberg Singapore office (SG)2021
GUCCI Art Wall, GUCCI
Gucci Flagship Store, Marina Bay Sands (SG)Vessels, Art Outreach Singapore
Millenia Walk (SG)2020
The Electric Conversion, Mini Cooper (SG) x KineticShadow of a Single Smokestack, Ltd Edt x NIKE (SG)
CHAMBER, Wisma Atria (SG)2019
Kelp me!, Resorts World Singapore
S.E.A. Aquarium (SG)Purl, Disney
The Fourth Puff, Cartoon Network Asia
2018
MO_STER MA_DALA, New Balance (SG)
Miaja Gallery (SG)
Fort of Leaves, OH! Open House
Bras Basah Complex (SG)
Portal of Patterns, Light to Night Festival
Asian Civilisations Museum (SG)
2017
Unlikely Dwellers of the Urban, National Heritage Board
Indian Heritage Centre, Malay Heritage Centre, Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall (SG)
2016
Tiger Trading Co., Tiger Beer
Canal Street (NY) -
2022
SOAD Lecture Series
NAFA School of Art & Design (SG)TEDx CMU
Carnegie Mellon University, PA, USA (Virtual)Craft in Conversation
Cuturi Gallery (SG)2020
LaSalle BA Fine Arts Artist Talks
LaSalle College of the Arts (SG) -
2024
Zaobao (SG)2023
The Arts Can Inspire Your Everyday, National Arts Council Singapore
Textilecurator.com
Vogue Singapore2021
Plural Art Mag
Harper’s Bazaar (SG)
Textiel Plus (NL)
Tatler Asia
Lifestyleasia
L’Officiel Singapore
Art.See.Asia, Deutsche Welle2018
Augustman (SG)
Harper’s Bazaar (SG)
40 under 40, Prestige (SG)
Crochet Now (UK) -
2022
The Banquet: Producer, Writer
Exhibition at HEARTH by Art Outreach (SG)2019
Setouchi Koebi Network (NPO): Staff
Organization, production, translation for Setouchi Art Triennale 2019 (JP)School of Common Understanding: Co-Founder
Skill-sharing creative collective, focusing on cross-disciplinary practice