THE humble bak chang (a Chinese rice dumpling) has provided the inspiration for the winning creation of the Art Of Giving exhibition.
The dumpling-shaped cushion contains small bean bags, which can be used to play the traditional children's game of "five stones".
Into its second year, the exhibition is a collaboration between the Lasalle College of the Arts and property developer Wheelock Properties.
Participating artists - all students and alumni from Lasalle - were asked to consider what the gifts of the future would be like.
The winning creation by Ms Serene Lin, a fashion design and textiles graduate of Lasalle, and 13 other artworks are currently exhibited at Scotts Square, which is owned by Wheelock Properties.
These include a tote bag that doubles as a Chinese chess board, and a music box based on the children's story Little Red Riding Hood.
Ms Lin said her childhood experience provided the inspiration for her artwork, which she titled Bak Chang.
"Many children play games on their iPads these days, and they don't know the traditional games like 'five stones', which I grew up playing," said Ms Lin, 31, now a design consultant at a carpet manufacturing company.
The bean bags have motifs that evoke nostalgia, such as the White Rabbit brand of milk candy and mosaic-tiled sculptures found in older playgrounds.
Ms Lin won the Wheelock Art Prize of $5,000 yesterday after her artwork received the most number of votes from members of the public.
One person who voted for her stands to win the cushion.
Wheelock Properties has also pledged to donate $10,000 to Ms Lin's nominated charity Mainly I Love Kids, which supports disadvantaged children.
Ms Stephanie Tay, Wheelock Properties' group marketing manager, said: "We hope to instil notions of philanthropy in young artists by encouraging them to think about those in need."
The other 13 exhibits can be purchased, with proceeds going to the Lasalle College of the Arts Student Project Fund.
Those who are interested in acquiring them can call Ms Jean Tsai, co-curator and project consultant for the exhibition, on 9619-0804.
The exhibits will be showcased daily, from 10am to 10pm, till the end of this month.
