Walk into *SCAPE this past week, and you would have found more than just art on the walls; you would have found a mirror reflecting the soul of Singapore’s youth.
A variety of pictures, ranging from Chinese New Year celebrations in schools to different cultural food platters, adorned *SCAPE between May 8 and 15.
The exhibition was the result of Youth Circles: Stories Across Cultures, an initiative under the inaugural Youth for Peace: UNESCO Intercultural Leadership Programme.
This exhibition brought together the voices and perspectives of young people from diverse backgrounds who participated in a three-day intercultural dialogue programme.
The youths learnt about mobile photography and participated in dialogue circles facilitated by Growthbeans.
Through photography and dialogue, the youths captured moments that reflect how we live with differences and build understanding across it.
Katkar Toshaja Santosh, 19, a participant in the initiative, said: “The whole point of us taking these pictures was to try and capture the essence of our cultures in a simple and minimalistic way.”
“I definitely had many new learnings through this experience. Despite celebrating Chinese New Year at my schools over the years, one of my fellow participants’ pictures gave me deeper insight into the celebrations and their meaning. I might never have learnt them if not for this opportunity,” she added.
Kannan Aadhithya had submitted a picture of himself having a meal with his Chinese friend, mentioning that forming intercultural bonds is important and is a testament to the fabric of Singapore.
However, the 18-year-old National Junior College student has had his fair share of troubles forming these intercultural bonds.
“The biggest barrier I’ve faced when connecting with someone whose cultural values differed from mine was misunderstanding intentions,” he said.
“Sometimes, actions that seemed rude or distant to me were actually normal or respectful in their culture. I realised that meaningful intercultural connections require patience and listening rather than immediately judging people based on my own assumptions and upbringing.”
He believes that this initiative has helped him gain deeper insights into different cultures while also putting his own culture in perspective.
While Kannan looked outward at friendship, Westbourne College student Sahana Sharma, 18, found herself looking inward at the quiet rhythms of home.
“I noticed small things I normally wouldn’t pay attention to, like little interactions between family members or habits we do without thinking. Taking photos made me realise culture, other than big festivals or traditions, is in the way people care for each other,” she said.
Samadhi Rajapakse, 18, felt it would be ideal to share her Sri Lankan culture and heritage with her fellow participants, as it might not be common knowledge in Singapore.
“I submitted a picture of my family friends and me preparing for a ritual called Dana, which is done during the death anniversary of a loved one.”
“It’s a day when friends and family come together to prepare flowers, lights, and incense. We also prepare traditional Sri Lankan food before the monk gives a sermon. It is all done to ease the pain of the loss of someone dear.”
In an era of digital echo chambers, these 23 youths chose to step outside their comfort zones. By using lenses and dialogue to bridge the gaps that often divide us, they explored what it truly means to belong in a multicultural society.
The exhibition was presented as part of Hyphenated, a year-long heritage and culture incubation programme for youths headed by Nyonya cultural organisation Baba Gabra and supported by *SCAPE.
It will be converted to an online exhibition in the coming months, and the physical exhibition will find a new home at Braddell Heights Community Centre in July.
