A poet, dramatist, novelist and a visionary ahead of his time, the late Goh Poh Seng is credited as being the first writer to introduce Singlish to the stage with his play, When the Smiles are Done. He also won the inaugural National Book Development Council of Singapore Award for Fiction (known as the Singapore Literature Prize today) with his novel If We Dream Too Long, considered by many to be the first English-language Singaporean novel.

Beyond literature, Goh organized David Bowie’s first Singapore concert. When he invited Bowie and his musicians to their home for a performance by classical Chinese musicians, Bowie’s band arrived without Bowie, who said that he did not “fraternise with concert promoters.” Goh Poh Seng’s blithe rejoinder “tell Bowie he’s only a rock star. I however, am a poet” compelled Bowie to turn up eventually.

This exhibition hopes to capture and highlight key moments which demonstrated his dedication and rebel spirit that should continue to inspire us all.

Presented by Singapore Writers Festival 2023