Grace Baey

(Un)bound (Ongoing)

(Un)bound is a collaborative project that gives an intimate view into the lives of trans men and women in Singapore. Through portraits, journal entries and scrapbooking, these stories reflect on experiences of struggle, resilience, and coping strategies amidst the challenges of gender norms in society.

I worked closely with individuals featured in the project to tease out specific story points in their life journeys, as well as issues pertaining to transgender identity that they felt were valuable to highlight. A converging theme was family, and the different pressure points of what we understand and expect of familial ties and family formation. Through these stories, we also see the tremendous costs that people pay - be it physical, emotional, social, and/or financial - to be who they are.

With the scrapbooks, I left each person to design and compile their stories using pictures we've made together, including those from their personal archive. It was humbling to see them choose, edit, and cut up my pictures as they saw fit, whilst piecing together their own stories. The eventual output was nothing I could envision on my own, and I am grateful.

Presented as part of the Objectifs Documentary Award (Emerging Category), with initial support from Exactly Foundation. 12 March to 14 April 2019. Objectifs Lower Gallery, Singapore.