Pink Dot SG turns messages of support for LGBTQ+ community into art pieces

Pink Dot SG has partnered with VICE Media's VIRTUE APAC for an artistic collaboration project to turn messages of support into art pieces and drive conversations around LGBTQ+ issues well beyond Pride month.

Created by VIRTUE APAC, "Words of Change" is inviting artists to transform heartfelt messages of hope written by attendees of Singapore’s annual Pink Dot event for LGBTQ+ equality, into art pieces. These works will then be exhibited across a network of public spaces on the island, preserving the inspirational messages beyond the one-day event. The Words of Change artwork will be live in venues across Singapore from August to September. The agency has already signed up 32 artists and 20 businesses for Words of Change, but is calling on more to join this community initiative.

Pink Dot SG returned after a two-year hiatus as a result of COVID-19. Among the attendees were PAP MP Henry Kwek, which organisers say was the first time an MP from the ruling party has attended the event. Additionally, Workers' Party MP Jamus Lim was also seen at the event. This garnered significant media coverage and Meltwater's statistics from 14 to 20 June showed that the trending keywords included "first opposition mp", "pink signboards", and "government".

This marked the 14th edition of the event and Clement Tan, one of the organisers for Pink Dot SG, said that Hong Lim Park may be the only place in Singapore that one can protest without a permit, but the event's capacity to effect change as individuals doesn’t have to be limited by the boundaries of the park.

"This project not only celebrates the inspiring words of our participants, but captures their spirit of hope, their determined energy, and their hunger for progress. Change can only come through sustained dialogue and action, and we hope this project will spark just that," he explained.

Nuno Dores, associate creative director at VIRTUE APAC, added that Pink Dot is a landmark event for the LGBTQ+ community and allies who support the belief that everyone deserves the freedom to love. "Each year messages of hope and love are written by participants at the event, but once the event finishes they all go into storage, never to be seen again. We wanted to give these messages longevity, recognising that issues impacting LGBTQ+ people don’t end once the event or Pride month is over," he said.

Dores added that tapping into Singapore's vibrant artistic community, the team is encouraging all those with a creative flair to reimagine these words as art, with the pieces to be displayed across the island, preserving them and extending the conversation around equality for months to come. "VIRTUE is delighted to be partnering with Pink Dot SG on this important initiative," he said. Dores joined the team in March this year.

VIRTUE is not the only agency to have thrown its weight behind the LGBTQ+ community. GOODSTUPH launched its “Love All Shades” merchandise recently to show its support for the marginalised minority races facing discrimination within the community. The limited-edition t-shirts were launched exclusive to Pink Dot Singapore 2022, which will take place on 18 June and aims to celebrate the differences that make us all unique as individuals.

Related articles:
MP appearance at Pink Dot gains media coverage: A sign of changing tides?
GOODSTUPH shows support for minorities in LGBTQ+ community with Pink Dot SG merch
Dear Straight People founder Sean Foo on creating gay web drama series ahead of pride month
GOODSTUPH throws weight behind trans community with Pink Dot SG merch