This exhibition explores the theme of the ‘Family’, the central building block of Singapore society, by looking at Singaporeans’ sense of identity, rootedness and connection to their families both in Singapore and abroad, in cities such as London, Paris, New York, Los Angeles, Taipei, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tokyo. Presented over five series of works by Clang, namely Being Together, The Moment, Fear of Losing The Existence, Guilt and Erasure, the exhibition will showcase about 90 photographs by the artist, and over 40 historical portraits of the family from the National Museum of Singapore’s own collection.

Being Together: Family & Portraits—Photographing with John Clang draws from Clang’s personal experience of being separated from his family, and touches upon a predicament that many Singaporeans of various ethnic groups face today. It is a journey of appreciation of who we are as a people, in the context of today’s globalised world.

About the Artist:

John Clang is a photographer and visual artist. His fascination on time, displacement and existentialism influence his work. He held his first exhibition at 20 years old and has since participated in more than 20 solo & group exhibitions in China, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Malaysia, Singapore and the United States. In 2010, he became the first photographer in Singapore to receive the President's Designer of the Year award, which is the most prestigious design accolade in Singapore. Clang was also selected by a panel of jury from over 400 nominated entries, as one of the 30 finalists for the 2010 Sovereign Asian Art Prize.

Image: Being Together (Parents), 2010 © John Clang