Tapestry of scenes from domestic life of Singaporeans

SG Heart Map photo exhibition gives a snapshot of today's families

A collage of 30 living room scenes, entitled "Memory Blocks", by photographer Bob Lee. It is part of the SG Heart Map HomeScapes photography exhibition that opened yesterday and runs until July 5. ST PHOTO: TIFFANY GOH FOR THE STRAITS TIMES
Photographer Ang Song Nian explaining his photo series "A Million Stories of Us" to ESM Goh Chok Tong. ST PHOTO: TIFFANY GOH FOR THE STRAITS TIMES

SINGAPORE - The Bahadur family in Woodlands sit in their living room, smiling for photographer Bob Lee, as an Indian cable television show plays in the background.

In another picture, the Lim family sit on their sofa surrounded by shelves of toys, including those from the Star Wars movies.

These everyday scenes of domestic life were taken by Mr Lee over the past few months. They form a tapestry of 30 living room scenes and the collage is plastered on a wall at the void deck of Block 99, Old Airport Road.

Mr Lee's work is part of the SG Heart Map HomeScapes photography exhibition that opened yesterday and runs until July 5.

Curator Gwen Lee, 38, said Mr Lee's images reflect a "wide spectrum" of domestic life and serve as snapshots of life today for future generations.

The exhibition is one of four stops in a tour of south-east Singapore put together by SG Heart Map organisers. The other stops are East Coast Park, Singapore Sports Hub and Changi Village.

SG Heart Map is a project that asked people to single out 50 special areas that "define Singapore as home" to mark the country's golden jubilee this year.

The 50 spots, including Little India and Orchard Road, were unveiled last month. The public can sign up for five zonal tours to rediscover some of these 50 areas.

The free tours will take place this coming Saturday and Sunday, on July 4 and 5, and Aug 7, 8 and 10. Those interested can sign up at www.heartmap.sg

Also shown at the exhibition are images by photographer Ang Song Nian, who spent the past two months shooting the display cabinets of 14 Singaporeans.

The giant images cover several walls across the void deck and give viewers a look into the lives of Singaporeans.

For instance, one display cabinet in the home of a dance instructor features antiques from pasar malam (night market) auctions. Others showcase memorabilia from overseas trips, reflecting how well travelled Singaporeans are, said Ms Lee.

Mr Ang, 32, said he wanted to tell the story of people through the things they possess. "You can learn more about the household and the people who live there based on the personal items they put on display."

Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, who opened the exhibition, said: "It captures the spirit of home and the meaning of community around us. And I'm surprised to see many beautiful things which we normally think are very mundane and ordinary."

melodyz@sph.com.sg

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