The Spirit of Play

By Takeshi Ognum

The Spirit of Play explores the ritual culture of the seventh lunar month through childhood memory and public play. A Taiwanese opera performer and Singapore's iconic dragon playground symbolize innocence, mortality, and remembrance. Its looping form suggests the passage of life, where play begins in childhood but extends symbolically toward death and remembrance. By merging ritual and play, the work reflects on how joy, grief, folklore, and memory coexist as part of the human experience.

About

Diagnosed with Dyslexia at the age of ten, Takeshi found in art a space for expression beyond the constraints of words. Alongside a love for cooking, creativity became an important outlet through which he could explore ideas and communicate his perspective. His passion for visual storytelling later led him to pursue a diploma in Visual Effects and Animation, where he continued to develop his artistic voice while navigating the challenges of deadlines and anxiety. Today, creating under the name Ognum, Takeshi draws on his lived experiences to shape a practice rooted in imagination, resilience and personal expression.

SKU: TAKE-001
Medium: Acrylic
Dimensions (WxH): 49.5cm x 60cm