A photography exhibition organised to promote photography art, as well as in conjunction with Singapore’s 60th National Day (SG60) celebrations in 2025. The First National Photography Exhibition (NAPE) is co-organised by Photo-Art Association of Singapore (PAS), SAFRA Content Creator Club (SAFRA-CCC), Singapore Colour Photographic Society (SCPS) and Society of Photographers Singapore (SPS). When I read about this photography competition a few months back, I looked at the theme for this photography exhibition, and what I am doing in 2025 for my personal SG60 visual storytelling project, I decided to go for it, and let’s see what happens from there.
Theme: “Remembering the past and looking forward to the future”
The theme for the first National Photography Art Exhibition, “Remembering the past and looking forward to the future”, is a fitting theme for Singapore’s SG60 celebrations in 2025. All entries must have been taken in the last 60 years, showing the growth, development and change of Singapore in lifestyle, landscapes, nature, and others.
Searching my photography archives – Which to pick?
The theme for the First National Photography Art Exhibition resonates with me personally and deeply, I have been documenting Singapore through my visual stories, from the disappearing old places, old playgrounds, the rail/green corridor, to the fields of history, heritage, culture, followed by new changes and developments in Singapore.
My digital archives started back in 2004, I would have enough to choose from for this exhibition. Some of my curated visual stories/photographs can be viewed in this Flickr collection – #OurSGHeritage.
“Remembering the past and looking forward to the future”, looking through my digital photography archives over the decades, which photograph should I choose to submit for this first National Photography Art Exhibition?
My photography submission is accepted! OurSG
Curating a few photographs from my archives over the decades, before a final selection on the photograph to submit. Finally, I decided on my Rochor Centre HDB flats in their iconic colours that I took in 2016.
When I received an email from the organising committee that my photography submission was accepted, I was elated with pride and joy! Thereafter, it was administrative and liaison matters with the organising committee, and getting confirmation on the National Photography Art Exhibition dates, time and venue.
Official Opening of First National Photography Art Exhibition
The official opening of the First National Photography Art Exhibition took place on 9th October 2025. The guest-of-honour is Ms Goh Sze Kee, Member of Parliament for Mountbatten SMC.
There was a good crowd at The Art Space SG, although I don’t know everyone there, it was fun! Hearing the speeches by the organising committee, as well as from Ms Goh Sze Kee. There was a heartwarming feel because we are all united and bonded by our love for photography, our own unique ways of visual storytelling, how and why we want to share our visual stories of Singapore’s past and looking to the future for Singapore’s generations ahead.
It was great to meet up with fellow photographer friends whom also had their photography works selected for the First National Photography Art Exhibition. Congratulations to my photography friends, and also all the photographers whose photography works were selected for this exhibition.
I had a good chat with Ms Goh when she was touring the exhibition, a quick sharing about my photograph on Rochor Centre taken in 2016, the story behind this photo, and my documentation of old places/disappearing places in Singapore.
Wrapping up my Personal Thoughts and feelings
Viewing the different photography works on display, it did invoke some nostalgic memories, some venues/places are no longer around, gone forever into our archives, internet or books.
Although I am filled with pride and joy on my photograph being selected for the First National Photography Art Exhibition, showcasing together with the rest of the amazing photography works on display, further reinforce my ongoing personal journey in visual storytelling and documenting old places, disappearing places, as well as new developments and changes in Singapore.
Let’s continue to capturing priceless memories and moments, so we can continue to remember (and not forget about) the past, and also look forward to the future of Singapore’s growth, changes, and developments beyond SG60.
Thank you very much to the co-organisers of the National Photography Art Exhibition for selecting my photography work to be a part of the First National Photography Art Exhibition!
First National Photography Art Exhibition Details
- Dates: 9th to 12th October 2025
- Opening Hours: 11am to 6pm
- Venue: The Art Space SG
- Address: 66 Kallang Pudding Road #01-01 Hor Kew Business Centre Singapore 349324