Southeast Asian artists confront colonial photography's legacy at Singapore's Gajah Gallery

Gajah Gallery in Singapore is hosting the exhibition 'Customised Postures, (De)colonising Gestures' from 19 January to 18 February. This showcase includes 52 archival photographs from the collection of Jasdeep Sandhu, alongside modern pieces by artists from Southeast Asia. Key themes explored are 'In Search of (Traditional) Postures,' 'Ordered Poses,' and '(Colonial) Environmental Portraits,' which highlight staged Indigenous figures for colonial tourism. Robert Zhao Renhui's work, 'Singapore Crocodile, 1930s (2023),' combines archival and AI-generated visuals, challenging the authenticity of photography. Additionally, Kiri Dalena's video 'Felizardo, Taken in 1906 (2023)' addresses the misidentification of Major General Cornelio Felizardo. Other featured artists include Abednego Trianto Kurniawan, Aris Prabawa, and Suzann Victor, all exploring themes of colonial legacy.