The Gallery’s First Youth Social: A Tote-à-Tote with Participants!

The latest in a long string of TikTok trends is the #hotgirltotebag. Often accompanied by a hilariously fake text-to-speech robot voice, these TikTok videos consist of an aesthetically arranged flat lay of essential items one would place in their tote bag. The items—be it a book, a pair of sunglasses, or a stick of lip balm—are tessellated in a visually satisfying manner, serving as a self-portrait of the person behind the TikTok. Such videos are way of affirming your individuality, and demonstrate to the world that you are a person with impeccable taste.

This trend was the first thing that came to mind when we were tasked to write about the Gallery’s first ever Gallery Youth Social. Conducted on 29 May 2021 via Zoom, the afternoon’s programme included an exciting virtual tour of Jaafar Latiff:In the Time of Textile by Gallery curator Goh Sze Ying, followed by a tote bag painting session facilitated by the Gallery’s Kolektif Alumni Council. A week before the event, we each received a sparkling new tote bag filled with snacks, paintbrushes and a set of acrylic paints, delivered right to our doorstep.

It was our turn to make our very own #hotgirltotebag.

Organised by the Kolektif Alumni Council, the Youth Social was conceived in the hopes of bringing together young people, between the ages of 17 and 25, who are involved with the Gallery. Through museum learning and creative experiences, the Socials become platforms for them to connect with like-minded peers.

Participants include past and existing Kolektif members, Gallery interns, Gallery trainees, as well as BFG Youth Volunteers! The Socials are set to become a regular fixture in the Gallery’s roster of internal youth engagement, with a new edition taking place every three months. Look out, Gallery youths—this means more fun activities and exciting opportunities coming your way, for you to meet like-minded youngsters who are passionate about the Gallery and its art collection!

That Saturday afternoon, all the participants (virtually) assembled with our best rehearsed smiles and tote bags, ready to learn more about Jaafar Latiff’s stunning art, primed to spend the afternoon exercising our creative muscles, and most importantly, pumped to make new friends from the Gallery.

Before our experiences faded into distant memories, the two of us, Aida (A) and Siobhan (S), wanted to share our thoughts about the event with each other. We also spoke to a few other participants!

As members of the Kolektif Alumni, these were our initial impressions of the Gallery Youth Social:

A: I thought it was pretty intriguing and I wanted to see how the Alumni Council was going to pull this off, especially since the COVID-19 restrictions at that point of time were very uncertain and always changing. I had also never attended a workshop-like programme online before! I was looking forward to meeting people that I have only interacted with virtually and not in real life (thanks, COVID), as well as catching up with our Kolektif 2020 alumni—it was fun.

S: I was kind of nervous at first, since meeting new people can always be scary. Fortunately, everyone in the call was super nice and interesting! It was good to see familiar faces from the Kolektif Alumni as well, especially since we have not been able to meet up physically because of the COVID-19 restrictions. My nerves went away after listening to others introduce themselves and realising that most of us have a shared interest in art! Overall, I would say that the activities served as a great social experience in a time where social gatherings have become a luxury. 

We then reached out to three other participants to gather their responses: Min (M), a Kolektif alumnus and project manager of this Social; Zacharie (Z), a Programmes intern; and Alexis (Al), a Curatorial intern. Here is what we all had to say:

Min, what was it like organising the first ever Gallery Youth Social as one of the key facilitators of the programme?

M: Well, it was tough but fun and much smoother with the support of Luna and Tsusha (the chairpersons of the current Kolektif Alumni Council), as well as the staff coordinators. Of course, we were often nervous if it would be an enjoyable programme for participants, especially since we changed it from a physical meeting to an online one—but we managed to work through that, and the positive responses made everything worth it!

If you were to make a painting summarising your experience working with the Gallery, how would that painting look and why? (Would it be colourful like Jaafar Latiff’s work, or minimalistic like Kim Lim’s? Would it be full of surprises or something surrealist?)

Z: It would probably mimic the work of Singaporean artist Johann M Fauzi! His practice spans painting, sculpture and printmaking, and many have hidden meanings. They often  incorporate Classical and Romantic art styles, which  rely heavily on emotions to convey a painting’s essence. I think this nicely parallels my experience interning for the Gallery. This is my first ever internship, and it has been nothing less than grand and picturesque, while filled with wonderment and warmth. Like the secret Easter eggs in Johann’s works, I am sure the Gallery will continue to pack surprises that will keep me excited for what is to come!

Al: Goh Beng Kwan's Urban Renewal (Sun and Moon). While the artwork’s chaotic atmosphere reminds me of how (slightly) nerve-wracking being an intern at the Gallery can be, the use of vibrant colours and patterns makes me think about the insightful and diverse perspectives shared among the team I work in, which sits within the Curatorial and Research department.

M: Hmm, I think it would be a really pleasant painting. Imagine a landscape with a blue sky and green field—working with the Gallery is pretty smooth, and communication is really easy. Then [I also] imagine [something] like an outdoor disco with neon lights and dancing animals in the corner—because Luna and Tsusha bring such great energy with them wherever they go!

What do you think Jaafar Latiff would have had in his own #hotgirltotebag?

A:  I think an essential thing that he would have carried around is a journal. Seeing the sneak peeks of Jaafar's journal that Sze shared with us, he probably had a stash of journals kept away in his home. So, I would not be surprised if he always had one with him in his (possible) #hotguytotebag. I would also say that he might have carried a red pen with him since he was an art educator—to mark all his students’ work! [laughs].

S: I was surprised to hear that he dabbled in digital art in the 1990s! I enjoy catching glimpses of what the early stages of technology looked like because it is so different from what we have today. I am currently imagining stacks of floppy discs in Jaafar’s tote bag, as he makes his way to some internet cafe with a really bulky desktop computer, ready to make some digital art!

Z: Hmm, apart from how he would probably have art supplies like brushes and palettes, I would like to think that he packed a punch inside the tote that goes beyond tangible things. After learning about the ways in which he challenged traditional art norms by merging tradition with abstraction, as well as being a self-taught artist, he strikes me as an independent and brave individual. He started off by closely adhering to traditional styles of painting before introducing abstraction into his art, and I was most impressed by his perseverance to learn and even conceptualise new ways of painting batik. Given that he had nobody to teach him this difficult skill, the bravery to not only learn but adapt an art medium made my jaw drop. While I cannot guess the exact material items Jaafar would have packed in his hot girl tote, I reckon that he would most certainly have bagged surprises, creativity and novelty!

Al: Maybe he would have brought some acrylic paint with him, and perhaps a computer if there was space in his tote bag. One fascinating discovery I made from Sze's sharing was Jaafar Latiff's digital works. "What a bold move for his time," I thought to myself over the virtual call. In my imagination, I picture the artist sitting on the train, pulling his computer out of his tote bag and creating unique and bold batik works. Maybe some commuters would give him weird looks, but little would they know how important his oeuvre would be in Singapore's art scene.

M: I think Mr Jafaar would have had sketchbook or two, like the ones seen in the exhibition. He would probably also have had a handful of pens, and maybe pamphlets from the galleries he visited—the ones that everyone takes but never removes from their bags.

What were the creative inspirations behind your tote bag designs?

A: Hmm, for me, it was really just based on whatever was on my mind at the moment. The creative prompts that the facilitators offered during icebreakers and the tote-bag session really helped too. I decided to approach the activity as a form of art therapy, just drawing out whatever came to mind at that point. At first, I just started drawing flowers because… why not? (They are one of my “go-to” doodles.) But then I thought of how Jaafar Latiff incorporated colour and abstract motifs and elements in his work, so I thought to sprinkle coloured elements randomly as well! And there we have it, a mishmash of all the things happening in my brain, laid out on a tote bag.

As for my essentials, I am that person who DOES NOT pack lightly [laughs]. I always bring an umbrella and tissues with me. I also carry around a spare mask, my wallet, a reusable bag and spare moisturiser. Unfortunately, I cannot live without electronics (oops), so I always have a portable charger and my AirPods with me. On some days, I even bring my film camera and some yarn out, as I am currently teaching myself how to crochet!

S: When I was looking for inspiration, I picked up the exhibition brochure for Something New Must Turn Up, which was included in the “tote bag care package” we received. I just had this random impulse to do so, and I was not looking for anything in particular. That was when I came across Goh Beng Kwan’s works. They were so colourful and vibrant that they immediately caught my eye. I also remember seeing one of his works at the exhibition Suddenly Turning Visible: Art and Architecture (1969-1989) left quite an impression on me. I decided to incorporate the bright colour palette and abstract shapes in Goh’s artwork Urban Renewal (Sun and Moon) into my tote bag design. Needless to say, I am really happy with the end result! 

I always carry the same few things with me: a book I am currently reading (right now it is Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez), my wallet, a reusable bag, and a pair of earphones to listen to music. The little pouch you see at the bottom is something I made recently to store my earphones and TraceTogether token in. This may be a habit I have carried over from my studies, but I also try to keep a loose highlighter in my bag in case I read a beautiful passage and want to remember it.  

Z:  I was emulating Mondrian’s style in the top half of my bag, and the bottom is an expansion of the primary colours that he uses. This design is mostly inspired by a reminder I always tell myself, which is to break things down and breathe easy. Just as the colours become more complex in the bottom half, I am reminded that any problem can be managed by looking at things more simply :’))

I always carry these essential items around—earphones, wallet, keys, phone, tissues and my water bottle. But if I am feeling spicy, I might throw in a book or two in there! Right now, I am currently working on The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde which I have downloaded on my phone, but a good old paperback also feels nice to have around. I am also working on the book Moonwalking with Einstein by Joshua Foer ☺️☺️ and I have about a million hair ties littered in my bag—and 2 guitar picks for some reason! [laughs]

Al:

My tote bag was inspired by the book This Was Our Pact by Ryan Andrews. Aside from the fact that the comic's illustrations are stunning, I resonate deeply with its messages of growing up and introspection. The character in my design, lying still amid galactic chaos, perhaps reflects my feelings of confusion and serenity in my own “coming-of-age adventure.”

My tote bag includes:

• My wallet (which I barely use since I usually use my phone for payment, but it feels strange if I do not have it with me)
• Miscellaneous items: a spare mask, a bottle of hand sanitiser and a hair claw
• My trusty water bottle
• Book(s) from the library that I am reading: currently, it is Arts of Living on A Damaged Planet, edited by Anna Tsing, Heather Swanson, Elaine Gan and Nils Bubandt
• An iPad for note-taking, doing readings and when I'm free, and doodling :) 

M:

My tote bag includes:

• My phone charger
• A random key and some loose change I found on the ground
• My wallet (sometimes)
• A book I have been reading for six months (Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami)
• An emergency bracelet
• Panadol
• Puff puffers1
• A doughnut stress ball for stress relief
• Strawberry mochis
• Earphones
• A sketchbook and loose stationery
• My 15 keys

Do you feel that this Social allowed you to feel more at home with the Gallery?

Z: It truly did, no cap [laughs]. Having like-minded individuals gather is already the first step to feeling a sense of comfort and belonging. Though we did not know each other, I believe that events like this help break the ice. Doing fun activities such as learning about Jaafar Latiff and painting our totes sure helped a lot with having a common topic to talk about :~)

Al: It was quite a pleasant experience seeing the interns and Kolektif Alumni because it reminded me of the synergy between various departments within the Gallery. Although it would have been wonderful to see everyone in person, I think activities like the online tote bag painting session are helpful in getting people to feel more comfortable and at ease on a video call.

M: Yes and no. Yes, because the tour was really informative and well put together, but nothing beats being in the Gallery in person!

Is there any deeper significance to the allusion to the #hotgirltotebag trend in this article?

Perhaps, just like the humble tote bag, the first edition of the Gallery Youth Social was able to bring together disparate yet interesting individuals, so that they may interact with each other.

Or maybe a tote bag is just a tote bag, and this was just a fun way of showcasing the young humans of the Gallery in all their unique glory.