It’s not every day that you find exhibitions in Singapore dedicated to the experiences of its queer community. At the T:Works exhibition The Swimming Pool Library, artist Brian Gothong Tan challenges conventions of masculinity by sharing moments of intimacy, vulnerability and tenderness.
The exhibition charts Brian’s coming-of-age experiences while shedding light on how spaces, such as public swimming pools and libraries, were crucial to figuring out who he was. His ink drawings showcase formative moments while a selection of personal letters, journals, and photos reveal the intimacies of youth.
A piece we found particularly moving was Lost Lovers, which comprises old photographs Brian found in antique shops. He painstakingly selected these for how the photographs served as moments of love, tenderness and sensuality – either between the subjects themselves or between the subject and photographer.
A second room embraces a vibrant vapour-wave aesthetic. Brian strove to make it a utopian space where the queer community could take centre stage. You’ll come face-to-face with “live sculptures” (played by members of the queer community), idyllic clips of Tony Leung and Leslie Cheung’s tango from the film Happy Together, projected over shower stalls, and a large boxing ring to serve as a nod to the queer community’s constant struggles to survive.
At its core, The Swimming Pool Library is an essential ode to growing up and coming to terms with one’s sexuality in heteronormative Singapore. We can imagine it being a warm hug to those who have ever felt out of place! The show runs from 6-20 Jan 2022 at T:>Works, 72-13 Mohamed Sultan Road, if you’d like to check it out.
