Nelson Chia, Centre 42 Fellowship recipient and Artistic Director of Nine Years Theatre, shares why he embarked on a long-term project to adapt Yeng Pway Ngon's novel Art Studio into a stage play. Nelson also talks about the challenges of creating a stage adaptation of a literary work, and also why his company ensemble is collaborating with him on the project.

Two women, four hundred years apart, connected by art and sexual violence.  The Women Before Me honours the voices of sexual assault survivors, and asks where compassion and justice can be found today. TRIGGER WARNING: This play contains depictions and descriptions of sexual violence.

"My art contributes towards establishing a sort of alternative 'thematic universe' in Singapore, considered to be an over consuming and over managed society in Southeast Asia. "My concern is to be a voice for the voiceless, even in silence... [...] "... I have been walking far too long in minefields. I enjoy this dangerous journey though I have lost much in material benefits. I am growing spiritually strong day by day. Not in a religious sense. I have no religion except my art – poetry and theatre.