THE COMFORT WITHIN ROUTINE

I originally photographed this series back in 2019 right before the pandemic hit Singapore in connection with my exhibition, Inhibition (2020). With a semi-functional 1990’s Nikon film camera, passed down to me from my Dad, in hand, I made a trip to Ghim Moh Market where I would often go with my 婆婆 (grandmother) and mother to get local produce and sedap (delicious) duck rice. I realised that my own three-generational ‘gals’ trip to the wet markets every week or so was something I found great comfort in and so…

I wanted to explore the comfort within routine specifically through the lens of Singaporeans. I found great fascination with how Singaporeans find comfort and familiarity within seemingly insignificant routine tasks such as visiting our local wet market and Kopitiam (Kopi means ‘coffee’ in Malay and ‘tiam’ in Chinese dialect means shop to form ‘coffeeshop’). I found it important to represent and document this way of life that is so embedded within the fabric of our multicultural and multiethnic society. Although some blurry images and imperfections were expected with my broken focal lens and laggy shutter button (on top of that, shooting on film), it became apart of the images and I found great beauty within just pointing and shooting and seeing the outcome.

I hope that sharing this series of pre-pandemic photographs reminds us of the importance of remembering our way of life. And that every one of us comes from somewhere so vibrant and unique— and to never forget our roots and communities that shape us. Especially with everything being so vastly different post pandemic, I hope that this inspires you to enjoy that little 5 minute coffee run before work/school or trip to the Kopitiam for those Singaporeans out there.