Stray to Stay Exhibition
Kikko | Mindy Tan

An intimate exploration of daily life with Kikko, a once-stray dog, over six transformative years. This collection captures the profound journey of a wild animal adapting to a life with humans, originally intended as a personal keepsake, now shared as a testament to love and companionship.

When I first adopted Kikko, the idea of sharing my home with a wild animal was daunting. Yet, Kikko soon became my son, my best friend, and my most loyal companion. He breaks the bubble of city living, reminding me of our shared existence with other beings.

Despite training him and teaching him to walk on a leash, I never wanted to change his essence. We often retreated to nature, taking long walks where he taught me to find water, hunt shrews, and discover unseen facets of the city I thought I knew. Kikko brought structure to my days and filled my home with love, enriching my life in ways I never imagined.

Adopting Kikko has been one of life’s most cherished experiences, offering profound emotional insights and joys.

Special thanks to Mr Derrick Ong and Dr Gan Theng Wei for their invaluable support and contribution of photographs.

About Mindy Tan
Mindy Tan is a photographer with a background in newspaper journalism, honored with the Excellence in Human Rights Reporting award from the Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) in 2007. Driven by her storytelling instincts, Mindy’s photographs encapsulate deep emotion and compelling narratives.

As a commercial photographer, Mindy’s clients include Nike, McDonald’s, Uniqlo, Samsung, Microsoft, and Fujifilm. She has covered major events such as the Beijing Paralympics 2008, Formula One Grand Prix Singapore, and WTA Championships. Her works have been exhibited in venues such as the National Museum of Singapore, The Arts House, Objectifs, and Fujifilm Square (Tokyo). Additionally, her work has been featured in notable publications, including the UK’s The Guardian and Ouest France.

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