The beginning of July marks the end of Villa Bimba’s physical studio space. I know, I know, it’s already the second half of July when I’m posting this. It has been an amazing time with my wonderful and inspiring studio mates Hafi, Jhaw and Jing + friends of the studio. We managed to do two events at the yard, which was quite unfathomable, considering how our schedules are close to impossible to matching up LOL. Amidst the many meals and cups of caffeine savoured, Pinto ice-cream devoured, and plenty of laughs, we learnt so much about ourselves and each other.
I’m so thankful that we managed to come together to make our dream a reality. Being able to have a third space of our own is an indescribable feeling. Just knowing that there’s a space filled with all our creative dreams, a space we can exist together without any expectations, a safe haven to seek refuge from a world that pegs value to productivity and profit. That’s not to say that everything was smooth-sailing. We had to work through a jump in rental, plenty of construction to level the ground and patch up the walls, various configurations of furniture to make the space more welcoming and enjoyable to be in. It’s been a wild leap of faith for real.
Here are some shots from our latest event Pasar Bimba (held on 21 June). We decided we wanted to commemorate our time at the studio together and pay tribute to Miss Bimba Saraswati Fantasia Putri. Plus, we wanted to raise funds for the good folks at Fur Folks Home — an animal hospice and palliative care centre. It was the day of the summer solstice, so the weather was absolutely brutal, but it also meant we did not have to worry about any downpour destroying the tarps in the backyard.
goods by villa bimba
view from the villa bimba ice box
vonchons / jhawnette / jing’s thrifts
a quiet moment amidst the chaos
a huge fan
handpainted shoes by hafi
bimba and her stickers
Not pictured here: N’s pastries, chocchik_. We raised a whopping $586 in total and bought a pet supplies and some snacks for the humans of Fur Folks! We also took the chance to visit them over the weekend.
knock, knock!
asha - her fur is really growing in!
jing feeding dusty while kori tries to steal a lick
hafi and jhawnette with tigger - a paraplegic sweetheart
villa bimba with dr angeline of fur folks home
We woke up at the ass crack of dawn just to meet at Springleaf MRT station at 9am. It was so hard to leave the space with all the little sweeties there, but Springleaf Prata was calling out to us.
What a year! I’ll miss all the quiet and hectic moments in the studio space. Though time will steadily keep on trucking on, these memories will linger in the space, and the studio will always hold a place in my heart. A shimmering reminder of the hopefulness and boldness of our adulthood.