MEDIA RELEASE
Launch of SOULJOURN: In the Rooms of My Mind
Inaugural Showcase cum Fundraiser for Singapore Association for Mental Health and The Business Times Budding Artists Fund
SINGAPORE 25 OCTOBER 2022 – Get a glimpse into how art plays a role in self-care and self-discovery this weekend at the inaugural Souljourn, a new multi-disciplinary immersive experience co-organised by the Singapore Association of Mental Health (SAMH) and not-for-profit arts organisation TRCL.
Souljourn is a fundraiser for SAMH and BT BAF. SAMH is a non-profit and non-government social service agency that provides a comprehensive range of mental health services, which include rehabilitative, outreach and creative services, to the community in Singapore while since 2005, BT BAF has reached out to over 22,000 children and youth from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, empowering them to fulfil their potential and pursue their dreams in the arts and culture sectors.
This is the first artistic collaboration between both organisations.
The event will comprise a series of experiential spaces that explore the themes of Future, Comfort, Reflection, Dream and Journey featuring actual works in progress from SAMH’s sessions with its beneficiaries and responses to the works by beneficiaries of The Business Times Budding Artists Fund. Souljourn will be held at 10 Square, #10-01 Orchard Central, a multi-disciplinary arts space managed by TRCL.
Says Mr Phan Ming Yen, Chief Operating Officer of TRCL, “As we know, the pandemic revealed the urgency of the need for mental wellbeing in the community, especially among the vulnerable. The pandemic also revealed how the arts or creative activity can provide a positive distraction which is not only therapeutic but also allows one to embark on a journey of self-discovery.
“Souljourn in some way is about that journey that one takes and we hope that the experience will show the myriad of ways the world and people around us can be perceived and understood. Ultimately, Souljourn is a journey.”
Featuring visual arts, movement, texts and even food, Souljourn is an interactive event that will invite audiences to engage with the installations.
Elaborates Jeremiah Choy, creative director for Souljourn 2022, “Souljourn is a dialogue. The works you’ll see in the showcase were created by beneficiaries of SAMH and are still works in progress, much like the journey they are on. In presenting the works as they are, we hope to invite visitors to keep an open mind. They can take on the role of a travelling companion, or a voyeur, it’s all about perspectives.”
To date, Souljourn has raised $230,000 which will go toward supporting the work of SAMH and BT BAF. The presenting donor for Souljourn is OCBC Bank with main donors being Chemical Industries (Far East) Limited, and Standard Chartered Bank (Singapore) Limited.
Says Ms Julie Tan, Corporate Services Director at SAMH, “We are encouraged by the support that we have received and hope that this collaboration will continue to bring different communities together and from this interaction, further enrich our understanding of the needs of the underserved and allow us to serve those in need better.”
Visitors can indicate their attendance via the Facebook Event page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/407629794909944/407629801576610/
