Old photographs that trigger memories, and explorations of cultural identity

Presented by Exactly Foundation
Lower Gallery, Objectifs

13 to 21 Dec 2019 
Tues to Sat, 12pm to 7pm / Sun, 12pm to 4pm
Admission is free

Opening Reception and Book Launches: Thurs 12 Dec, 7pm
Gallery Walk with Artists: Thurs 12 Dec, 8pm to 9pm

About I Remember It All
By Seelan Palay
Seelan Palay expresses his fascination with his family’s treasure trove of photographs predating the era of digital photography and their ability to trigger memories of his past lived experiences. The sights, the sounds, the smells, the way “things were”: all of these come to the surface much more vividly when he holds on to and looks at these photographs.

About Entah, Tak Tahu
By Shahrom Mahat
Shahrom Mahat considers his identity as a half Malay, half Chinese person raised Malay-Muslim, and examines whether the Haji Lane area, known today for music, food and entertainment, still bears traces of its past as a hub of spirituality and scholarship for Malay culture and Haj pilgrims.

Two books documenting their residencies will also be launched at the exhibition opening and are available on our online store.  


About Seelan Palay
Seelan Palay is a visual artist from Singapore whose practice focuses on the concerns and complex conditions found in our present-day, globalised society. Having studied fine art at LASALLE College of the Arts, he works with mixed media, installation, performance, film and sound. In 2018, he founded the independent art space Coda Culture.

About Shahrom Mahat
Shahrom Mahat is a commercial photographer in Singapore. An alumni of Film, Sound & Video at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, he has directed television documentaries and won numerous awards for his short film entitled Snip Snip. Shahrom’s first love is analogue photography. He shoots on black and white film for his travels as well as his personal works, which have been showcased on travel websites and exhibitions.

About the Exactly Foundation
Exactly Foundation is a not-for-profit, trademarked registered label established by Li Li Chung. Photographers are commissioned to create photography to stimulate discussion of social concerns in Singapore. The Exactly Foundation’s goal is to produce new knowledge amongst viewers by engaging with and sharing the photographs with family and friends over a three-month period.


Header image: (L) from I Remember it All by Seelan Palay and (R) from Entah, Tak Tahu by Shahrom Mahat