Mater is a site-specific sculpture by Singaporean visual artist Grace Tan, commissioned by Yale-NUS College. Unveiled on the college campus, the work marks a significant addition to Yale-NUS's built environment, serving as both a visual landmark and an invitation to reflection.

Tan's practice, developed since 2003 through her kwodrent series, began with an exploration of wearable fabric structures inspired by the study of rectangles and construction methods. Her sustained fascination with materials and geometry has since evolved into dynamic sculptural objects and site-specific installations that examine the tactile nuances of matter and form. Mater draws on the architectural language of Yale-NUS College and the grid system of New Haven, paying homage to the legacies of Sol LeWitt and Isamu Noguchi.

Cast in weathering steel, the cubic sculpture will naturally develop a patina over time — a material transformation that mirrors the evolving relationships, memories and growth of the Yale-NUS community. At its core, an illusory diamond-shaped opening frames the surrounding environment, inviting viewers to pause and reflect on questions of learning, belonging and transformation. Embracing the spirit of liberal arts education, Mater speaks to values of diversity, inclusivity and the continuous journey of discovery.

The project reflects Art Outreach's role as an arts intermediary in Singapore, supporting the realisation of ambitious public and institutional commissions and enabling meaningful encounters between artistic practice and civic life.