Singapore

By the end of my stay in Singapore, I realised I was rather disappointed by how few galleries were dedicated to photographic art, even though I did have a few wonderful visits.

On my initial list were DECK, FOST and STPI, three galleries that looked truly promising but turned out to be temporarily or permanently closed.

Street art in Singapore

I expected a more vibrant art scene, a city as daring in its exhibition spaces as it is in its architecture.

The Art Galleries Association lists 32 members, 8 of which are at Gillman Barracks, so I chose it as my main destination for what I hoped would be a busy Saturday in October.

Gillman Barracks

To my surprise, there were only a few visitors. The area is quite remote and not easy to reach by public transport.

Still, the idea was beautiful: transforming a former British military complex from World War II into a contemporary art hub filled with galleries, cafés and studios.

But the public seems to have moved on. Even the bars and restaurants nearby were almost empty.

Only the sun showed up

A quiet place, filled with light, almost emptied of its promise of vibrancy.

In the absence of visitors, the sun traced its own lines and shadows across the grey steps, a gentle reminder that light never fails to appear.