From group painting exhibitions by USSR emigres to old photojournalism from the worst of the Cultural Revoluion, this seems to be the time to contemplate repressive regimes. Here are three to check out in Singapore.

Immigrant Arts Exhibition (Sep 29-Oct 30)

A painting focused group exhibition out at art studio and gallery Libitum on East Coast Road brings together painters who have emigrated from the former USSR. Expect bold colors and brushstrokes and dream-like imagery in this collection. There's a wine and cheese opening on Sep 29, and starting Sep 30 onwards, the paintings will be available for purchase as well.

North of the DMZ (Through Oct 15)

Image credit: Wong Maye-E / AP Photo

Singaporean photojournalist Wong Maye-E took on the challenging role as The Associate Press' lead photographer in North Korea. Objectifs is showcasing some of the images she captured about life in the reclusive and repressive state over two years. 

Witness: The Archive of Cultural Revolution (Through Oct 29)

There's a whole bunch of exhibitions to check out at the Singapore International Photography Festival, but one of the highlights is this one, which takes you back to the upheaval of the Chinese Cultural Revolution. Veteran photographer Li Zhensheng, who worked as a photojournalist of the Heilongjiang Daily back then, captured these dark times on film, and the exhibition has 80 images on display along with documents from the photographer's days as a young boy grappling with the turbulent rule of Mao Zedong.