Mother Mangrove (working title) is a performance and film work by multidisciplinary artist Ila, exploring the histories of mangrove landscapes in Singapore and the displacement of the Orang Laut communities who once lived among them.

For this project, we designed and fabricated the character’s prosthetics, wearable elements, and special effects makeup. The work involved sculpting, mould-making, silicone casting, and constructing a hybrid costume composed of root-like structures, fishing nets, and organic textures, embodying a mangrove spirit rooted in the ecology and histories of Singapore’s coastal landscapes.

Artist / Performer / Director: Ila
Filmmaker: Russell
Special Effects Makeup, Prosthetics & Wearables: Suzana Salleh + Xervix