Ezzam Rahman
the little differences
you made for me
Artist Ezzam Rahman has a unique personal relationship with public transport. As carer to his aged mother who recently lost 70 per cent of her mobility after a major operation, Ezzam has had to teach himself the ins and outs of being a caregiver. Even simple everyday activities can be a chore as he learns how to juggle his own work as an artist and educator, with the rigorous demands of caregiving.
In “the little differences you made for me”, Ezzam draws on his own lived experiences as the primary caregiver for his aging mother. Without a private vehicle or helper, Ezzam must make detailed plans in advance for his constant visits to clinics and hospitals, considering in particular, the form of transportation that is most suitable for his mother. This has made him more observant about the available modes of public transportation and their accessibility to people with disabilities.
In this photo and video artwork, Ezzam explores how user-friendly the MRT is for the disabled, as he navigates a route on foot from the Newton to Bencoolen stations. Join the artist and an identically-dressed wheelchair-bound ‘doppelgänger’ as they embark on their journey of discovery on the trains, awash in the sights and sounds of Singapore’s MRT system. Overlaid with extracts of real-life dialogue between Ezzam and his ailing mother, this photo and video series offers an intimate firsthand look at the challenges of caregiving and the extent to which an efficient public transport system may alleviate them.
Artist Bio
Ezzam Rahman (b. 1981, Singapore) is a multi-disciplinary installation and performance artist. Ezzam’s works feature narratives that challenge and expand the notions of identity politics and the inherent paradoxes of presence and marginality. His works often take autobiographical and time-based ephemeral forms that address topics of impermanence, trace, and abjection. He has participated, initiated, organized, and co-curated numerous local and international group exhibitions, events and festivals internationally and locally. In 2015, Ezzam was awarded the People’s Choice Award and joint winner of the Grand Prize for the President’s Young Talents, Singapore Art Museum. He was also awarded the prestigious Young Artist Award by the National Arts Council in 2016.
Take part at home
The next time you’re taking the train, pay attention to the following:
- Spot the distance wheelchair-bound commuters need to take in order to move easily on flat surfaces and ramps leading towards the train stations.
- Spot directional signs for wheelchair-bound commuters.
- Observe the number of people who use these facilities.
- Watch the performative video and attempt the route that was highlighted.