The global pandemic has roused a confusing mix of emotions ranging from fear, anxiety, loneliness to hope. #NeverBeforeSG, Singapore's first and largest online art showcase presented by National Museum of Singapore, aims to capture our collective state of mind as we move into a new normal – chaos, self-isolation, community spirit and all. Over the past few months, we've seen art institutions, artists, theatre practitioners, and more creatives banding together for various collaborations that mostly take place online. But brace yourselves, because this is Singapore's largest online art showcase so far.
Fashion designer veteran and multi-disciplinary artist Yang Derong has curated a sprawling collection of 140 works by photographers, writers, architects, and other creatives. Arranged in nine chapters that reflect various themes on the circumstances during Singapore's 'circuit breaker' period, they showcase a stark, visual documentary of our psyche in these unprecedented times. In doing so, Derong hopes to capture the emotions of Singaporeans during this challenging time.
The nine chapters include digital video essays by photographer Chia Aik Beng that depict people in the community still going outdoors despite the restrictions during Singapore's lockdown, drawings by singer-songwriter Dick Lee and children’s book illustrator Lee Kow Fong (Ah Guo) that represent home, two fashion designers' unique take on full-body PPEs to pay tribute to healthcare workers and more.
Since we're all social distancing, National Museum of Singapore brings it all on an online platform, bringing a creative visual experience to audiences in the comfort of their homes. Access #NeverBeforeSG for free via neverbefore.sg.
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