Despite the fanfare marking the nation’s birthday, Singapore’s true history stretches far beyond 60 years. (The real figure is closer to 700.) Six decades merely establishes the chapter when the country finally weathered the storm to stand steadily on its own.
“There was a time when people said that Singapore won’t make it, but we did” is a lyric in our trove of treasured NDP songs that probably goes the hardest. Everyone loves an underdog. That’s what captivates spectators of this success story, many of which only see the city’s organised charm.
This spirit mirrors the unconventional journeys of six creatives. For a country praised for precision, its stance on the arts is anything but hushed. To challenge limits and defy expectations takes boldness. We see them pushing the cultural frontier, though the paths they have taken remain largely untold.
Glimpse creative bravery in their following endeavours: Founding a successful theatre company from scratch, all while remaining grounded and looking great doing it, we might add. Or capturing a gritty beauty behind the gloss, turning each alley into a frame and every common folk a composition.
There’s also delivering biting satire and demolishing social taboos with punchlines sharper than your mother-in-law’s tongue (sorry, Auntie). Or going from facing arrest for social critique to publicly displaying your commissioned work on a towering urban canvas.
The solo showcases meditating on the undercurrents of our heritage, a quiet revolution expressed across rhythms and mediums. Or being the face that comes to mind when locals think of a host, a familiar voice guiding and connecting us through the country’s many highlights.
These six artists embody the audacity that runs beneath Singapore’s polished surface. While the foundation may be steel, cement, and a little imported sand, they remind us that it’s not infrastructure, but imagination that advances Singapore’s profound possibilities.
Photography: Jaya Khidir
Creative Direction and Styling: Asri Jasman
Styling (Adrian Pang): Vanessa Grace Ng
Grooming: Sophia Soh at THE SUBURBS STUDIO
Grooming (Adrian Pang): Kat Zhang at THE SUBURBS STUDIO
Styling Assistants: Naysa Subba and Quek Yu Tong
Read about the individual profiles:
