Teenage Angst Has Paid Off Well: An Exhibition of Rare Vintage Band Tees
March 2 - 9 2024, Singapore
The first-ever exhibition in Singapore to celebrate the beauty and value of old beat-up T-shirts.
“Teenage Angst Has Paid Off Well: An Exhibition of Rare Vintage Band Tees” is an exhibition that features an exceptional collection of twenty rarely seen and coveted vintage band t-shirts loaned from private collections in Singapore. On view from Saturday, March 2 through Saturday, March 9, 2024 at WOAW Gallery.
In recent years, vintage t-shirts have become highly collectable amongst celebrities, music and fashion enthusiasts. Some t-shirts may fetch thousands of dollars, depending on their rarity or uniqueness. The timing is ripe. An exhibition of this nature, celebrating some of the greatest moments in music and shirt designs, has not been organised in Singapore in recent times.
Like most teens growing up in the 1990s, I was living in my headphones. Carrying more burnt CDs in my school bag than books, music was a big part of my life, specifically grunge. The culture and album designs informed my aesthetics till today. I wore the tees of my favourite bands.
Some precious tees grew up with me, plus a few more, now that I’m in my forties and earning good money, I’m collecting my memories via vintage T-shirts. I like to think I’m a decent and serious collector, with some rare shirts to boast.
The impetus to organise an exhibition of vintage band t-shirts is to share my passion, but most of all to give a physical platform for like-minded people to connect and share stories and music.
To me, the vintage tee is a witness to the highs and lows of life, weathering countless adventures — a first date, an unforgettable concert, or ripped by a disgruntled ex. A well-worn tee is a unique work of art that can never be replicated.
Friends came in their best vintage style.
Working with some of Singapore’s best Instagram vintage dealers, Loop Garms, Fibres Friction, Death Threads and Rookies Store, there was a vintage tee boot sale throughout the exhibition where visitors could purchase their own rare t-shirts. It also fostered a community environment where friends came by and hung out till late. Much needed in this world of social media businesses.
I also design the exclusive catalogue inspired by the CD medium that defined the era.
