In 30 pictures, this is what our visual arts scene looks like

If you’ve always wanted a handy directory of Singapore’s top filmmakers and photographers, consider your search over. To celebrate their 15th anniversary, local non-profit arts space Objectifs has put together a commemorative book featuring the many talented Singaporean imagemakers they’ve had the honor to showcase over the years.

Making up the book are photo contributions and personal anecdotes from 15 filmmakers and 15 photographers—whose names will certainly ring a bell. There’re photographers Darren Soh, Tay Kay Chin and Chow Chee Yong, who’ve all had solo exhibitions at Objectifs; while prominent filmmakers include Tan Pin Pin, Anthony Chen, Royston Tan, and Boo Junfeng, who have each had their films distributed through the center’s DVD label. Each image in the book was chosen to reflect and contemplate a significant point in the artist's career, or a moment of inspiration they wished to share.

There’s no questioning Objectifs’ integral role in supporting and promoting the local arts scene through the years—whether it was in boosting already established names, or spotlighting up-and-coming visual storytellers like Sean Lee and Liao Jiekai, through their many workshops, mentorship programmes and artist residencies. Singapore’s own award-winning photojournalist Sim Chi Yin, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017 and who’s had many a show at Objectifs, called the center a “key figure on the Singapore photography and film scene over the past 15 years”. It certainly doesn’t hurt that many of the center’s programmes are free to the public too.

The book is priced at $50 and will be available from Aug 15 in-store, or you can preorder it now here.

Advertisement

Leave a Comment