A powerful photographic exhibition showcasing Singapore's transformation from British colony to modern nation will open this November, featuring over 200 archival images captured by The Straits Times photojournalists throughout the decades. The exhibition, titled "Singapore Stories: The Heart of a Nation," will run from November 7 to 23 at the Selegie Arts Centre, offering free admission as part of The Straits Times' 180th anniversary celebrations.
Among the most striking images on display are photographs from the Little India riot on December 8, 2013, captured by veteran photojournalist Mark Cheong. The dramatic scenes show riot police standing guard near burning vehicles as crowds of more than 400 people turned violent. Cheong, now 37 and an executive photojournalist at The Straits Times, recalls the intensity of that night when he witnessed an ambulance explosion and told a fellow photographer, "This is not any normal day." He emphasizes the historical importance of documenting such moments, explaining that their work becomes part of Singapore's permanent archives for future generations to study.
The exhibition, jointly organized by The Straits Times and The Photographic Society of Singapore, traces Singapore's remarkable journey through three distinct sections: "The Early Years," "Birth of a Nation," and "Third World to First." Visitors can explore the nation's evolution across two gallery levels at the Selegie Arts Centre, witnessing key political, social, and cultural milestones that shaped modern Singapore.
One of the exhibition's most internationally significant photographs dates back to the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, where veteran photojournalist Jerry Seh captured a controversial moment that made headlines worldwide. During a match between Spain and Brazil, Spanish player Miguel Gonzalez scored a 20-meter shot that clearly crossed the goal line, but the referee controversially disallowed it. Seh's perfectly timed photograph definitively showed the ball inside the goal, and the image appeared on front pages of newspapers globally, demonstrating photojournalism's crucial role in revealing truth.
The 87-year-old retired photographer Jerry Seh, who covered two Olympics, three World Cups, and countless regional sporting events, modestly attributes his success to luck rather than skill. His World Cup photograph exemplifies how The Straits Times photojournalists have consistently documented history-making moments that extend far beyond Singapore's borders.
Straits Times editor Jaime Ho highlights the enduring power of visual storytelling in journalism, noting that even before video and social media existed, photography played a vital role in telling Singapore's story. He expresses tremendous pride in seeing the collection of the newspaper's finest images brought together, confident that photography will continue driving their journalism for years to come.
Tan Soo Nan, chairman of the Photographic Society of Singapore advisory board, describes the exhibition images as telling the complete story of Singapore's development from Third World to First World status. He believes each photograph unfolds rich narratives of crisis, challenges, and opportunities, encouraging both younger and older generations to visit and gain perspective on Singapore's remarkable national journey.
The exhibition will feature two public discussion sessions with limited seating. On November 15, Mark Cheong and fellow photojournalist Brian Teo will explore the topic of finding Singapore stories, while November 22 will see chief photojournalist Kevin Lim and executive photojournalist Ong Wee Jin discussing how digital technology has transformed photojournalism and evolved photographers' roles in modern newsrooms.
A special closed-door launch event scheduled for November 7 will bring together past and present Straits Times photojournalists, with Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo serving as guest of honor. The exhibition benefits from partnerships with Canon Singapore, Singapore Press Club, and Temasek Foundation, reflecting the broad support for preserving Singapore's visual history through professional photojournalism.
