Jade Memories

Jade Memories (2024)

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​Since I was young, my maternal grandmother has been a figure in my life, taking care of my cousin and me with dedication. We would follow her on her daily routine, where she would start her day with morning exercises, a ritual she never missed, followed by savouring a cup of Kopi O Gao, the aroma of the strong coffee in the air. She would then settle down with the day's newspaper, carefully reading each page. Prayers, both in the morning and evening, were a solemn part of her day. These were not just routines; they were shared experiences that bonded us deeply.

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As time went on and the government announced the availability of elderly HDB flats, my grandmother made the significant decision to move into one of these flats on her own. With her move, the frequency of our time together diminished, a bittersweet change as I grew older and life became more demanding. However, on my free days, I would make it a point to visit her, cherishing the time we could spend together.

On these visits, I would occasionally bring along my camera, an instinctive gesture to capture moments — the warmth of her presence and the familiarity of her space. Each photograph became a tangible memory, a way to hold onto the fleeting nature of time. With my grandmother's Chinese name containing a letter '玉', which means jade, I decided to name this series 'Jade Memories'.

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'Jade Memories' is a series capturing the essence of a maternal grandmother's house. Through intimate shots of cherished belongings and familiar scenes, this collection invites viewers into a world filled with warmth and nostalgia.