Social Identity: Portraiture as a reflection of the subject's status in society: Georgette Chen

Lai Foong Moi, Labourer (Lunch Break), 1965, Oil on canvas

1. DESCRIBE the artwork.

The laborer is the subject matter in the painting. There is a samsui woman eating from a tiffin carrier in the background. The subject matter is tanned and has strong muscular legs. The subject matter is dressed casually and comfortably in a typical laborer's outfit. He is in a very relaxed posture, as he is sitting on a wooden chair with his left arm resting on the back of the chair and legs spread out. He appears to be gazing into the far distance and deep in contemplation. The artwork has also been painted realistically, with shadows and darker values added to the painting to make it seem more 3- dimensional.

2. Analyze the symbolism in the artwork. Based on the title, you will need to:

• find the typical labourer's dress of the day. See how his attire relates and compares.
  
• look at the posture and gaze of the subject
  
• look at the surroundings
• look at any other "things" in the artwork. Why were they purposefully placed there?

The laborer's hair is combed and pushed back neatly, and his attire is fresh and clean, giving him an air of respectability and the impression of an honest, hardworking man. His suntanned and muscular limbs suggest that he had probably spent long hours under the sweltering sun working and contributing to Singapore's economy. The samsui woman in the background is probably to show how the women in Singapore has also helped in the development in their society, bringing prosperity to Singapore, and that they should not be forgotten.