SINGAPORE – A line of riot police stands guard near a raging fire from a burning ambulance and a crowd of angry men.
With adrenaline running through his veins, Straits Times photojournalist Mark Cheong raises his camera and captures scenes of carnage during the Little India riot on Dec 8, 2013.
Seeing the fire turn into an explosion, Mr Cheong turns to a fellow photojournalist and says: “This is not any normal day.”
Mr Cheong’s photos of the riot are among more than 200 images from The Straits Times’ archives that will go on display at the exhibition Singapore Stories: The Heart of a Nation, at the Selegie Arts Centre, over more than two weeks in November.
“It was important to cover this because it is a history-defining moment. Our work as news photographers becomes part of Singapore’s archives, something people can study in the future. So it’s always part of our job to document moments like these as fully and best as we can,” said Mr Cheong, now 37 and an executive photojournalist at ST.
Jointly organised by ST and The Photographic Society of Singapore (PSS), the exhibition revisits key moments in Singapore’s journey from a British colony to an independent, thriving nation.
Admission is free to the event, which is held as part of celebrations to mark ST’s 180th anniversary.
ST’s first edition was published on July 15, 1845, although photographs graced its pages only decades later, from 1931.
From shooting on large-format film cameras to using mirrorless cameras, ST photojournalists have stood alongside history makers in major events that have shaped Singapore’s political, social and cultural landscape for more than a century.
“So much of what The Straits Times does and has always done is through the power of our words. But even before video and before social media, it was the power of the image and our photography that also helped tell the Singapore story,” said ST editor Jaime Ho.
“It gives me tremendous pride to see this collection of our best images come together, and we are confident that our photography will continue to drive our journalism for many more years to come.”
Mr Tan Soo Nan, chairman of the PSS advisory board, said that the images in the exhibition, captured through the lenses of ST photojournalists over the decades, tell the story of Singapore’s development from Third World to First.
“Each image unfolds rich narratives of crisis, challenges and opportunities. I encourage everyone to come and view this exhibition,” he said.
“For the younger generation, you will come to appreciate what makes us so successful as a nation. For the older ones, the exhibition will bring back memories of your experiences and contributions in this remarkable journey of Singapore.”
A man cycling past a burning ambulance and police car during a riot involving almost 400 people in Little India on Dec 8, 2013.
ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG
Visitors to the exhibition will also be able to see a “world-famous” photograph taken during a 1986 World Cup match in Mexico between Spain and Brazil.
During the game, Spain’s Miguel Gonzalez made a 20m shot that hit the crossbar and crossed the goal line, but the referee controversially disallowed it. However, veteran ST photojournalist Jerry Seh, who was covering the match, captured the decisive moment, showing the ball clearly inside the goal line.
The “world-famous” photograph taken during the 1986 World Cup match in Mexico between Spain and Brazil. Spain’s Miguel Gonzalez made a 20m shot that crossed the goal line, but the referee disallowed it.
PHOTO: ST FILE
His picture made the front pages of numerous newspapers around the world, showing how photojournalism plays a vital role in revealing the truth behind events.
“I wouldn’t say I’m good; my luck is just with me. Sometimes you don’t expect things to happen, but they can,” said Mr Seh, now 87 and retired. He covered two Olympics, three World Cups, countless Malaysia Cup football finals and regional games.
Retired photojournalist Jerry Seh, whose photo of the goal made the front pages of numerous newspapers around the world.
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
At the exhibition, spread over the gallery on the first and third levels of Selegie Arts Centre, visitors will be able to trace Singapore’s history from a British colony to a bustling cosmopolitan city through three sections – The Early Years, Birth of a Nation and Third World to First.
Two public talks with a limited number of slots will also be held in conjunction with the display. On Nov 15, Mr Cheong and fellow ST photojournalist Brian Teo will discuss the topic of finding Singapore stories. On Nov 22, ST chief photojournalist Kevin Lim and ST executive photojournalist Ong Wee Jin will speak about how digital technology has transformed photojournalism and the evolving role of photographers in today’s newsroom.
Details on how to register for the talks will be given later.
On Nov 7, a closed-door launch event with past and present ST photojournalists will be held, with Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo officiating as guest of honour.
Exhibition partners are Canon Singapore, Singapore Press Club and Temasek Foundation.
Singapore Stories: The Heart of a Nation runs from Nov 7 to 23 at Selegie Arts Centre, 30 Selegie Road. Admission is free.
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