A monumental artwork by a Balinese artist now graces the landscape of Singapore. The sculpture, titled Mother & Child by I Ketut Putrayasa, has found a home at Mandai Wildlife Reserve.
Towering at three meters high with a diameter of five meters, the piece depicts a Sunda pangolin curled protectively around its offspring, serving as a powerful metaphor for maternal care and protection.
Tatang B.Sp, a painter and art observer based in Denpasar, highlights the necessity of a clear raison d’être for any public artwork.
Mother & Child is more than an artistic statement; it is an educational tool and a poignant reminder of the urgent need to protect the Sunda pangolin from extinction.
“This sculpture carries a strong conservation message, urging the public to be more aware of this increasingly rare species,” Tatang said in an interview on Friday, February 14, 2025.
The Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica), a unique mammal found across Southeast Asia—including Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia—faces severe threats from deforestation and illegal trade. Since 2016, the species has been classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
According to Tatang, art plays a significant role in shaping collective consciousness. “Through this sculpture, the public is not just admiring its aesthetics; they are also being educated on the ecological importance of the pangolin in maintaining the balance of tropical forests,” he added.
Crafted from brass with a stainless steel framework, the sculpture blends resilience with fluidity. Its overlapping scales create a sense of movement, while the warm hues of brass add an organic depth to the composition.
“This work is more than a visual object; it carries a profound philosophy. Its beauty aligns with its message: preserving ecological balance is a shared responsibility,” Tatang remarked.
Mandai Wildlife Reserve was chosen as the sculpture’s home for a reason. As a globally recognized conservation hub, Mandai aims to promote biodiversity awareness and wildlife preservation. The Singaporean government envisions the site as Asia’s premier eco-tourism destination.
For Tatang, public art has immense potential in amplifying social and environmental issues. “This sculpture is a preserved memory. It does not merely depict the pangolin physically but also immortalizes the values of protection and care that must be passed on to future generations,” he concluded.
With Mother & Child, art once again asserts its role as a medium for reflection and education. This sculpture is not just an addition to the public space—it is a monument to conservation, a reminder that every species has the right to thrive on this planet. (BT)
