Hall of Fame exhibition - celebrating the pioneers
As part of the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club's (RSYC) Bicentennial anniversary, History Ink was commissioned to develop a Hall of Fame exhibition recognising eight individuals whose contributions shaped the RSYC. However, selecting the inductees wasn't easy, as countless members had played important roles in the Club's development. To guide the selection process, History Ink established a criteria based on three crucial questions: whether the individual was essential to the Club's survival, whether they brought lasting change to the RSYC and how significant their service to the Club had been.
The RSYC Hall of Fame exhibition showcasing its eight inductees.
Research and Selection:
Upon the establishment of a clear criteria, research began with an analysis of Peter Dunlop’s ‘The Three Burgees’, a published history of the RSYC. This analysis facilitated the creation of an initial list of ten candidates, which was then presented to the Club’s senior committee members and was refined to the final eight inductees.
The goal of the Hall of Fame exhibition was to create biographical profiles that highlighted the member’s background and achievements alongside their contributions to the Club. Despite, the biographical structure of each profile being the same, the research methodology varied by individual, depending on the period each person was active.
The research for the 19th Century inductees relied mainly on external historical sources rather than the Club’s archives, as the temporary disbandment of the RSYC at the end of the 19th century resulted in the loss of many of its earliest records. As a result, Peter Dunlop’s ‘The Three Burgees’ served as the foundation for establishing key facts, which were then cross referenced and expanded through additional sources. These sources included NewspaperSG, Singapore’s digital newspaper archives dating back to the 19th Century, which allowed the team to trace regattas and significant sailing events organised by the inductees. The research was further supplemented by historic articles published by Singapore’s National Library Board and 19th Century published memoirs digitised through the Internet Archive. Together, these sources enabled the construction of detailed biographies for the 19th Century figures, despite the limited number of archival records.
Peter Dunlop’s ‘The Three Burgees’, a published history of the RSYC.
On the other hand, the research for the 20th and 21st Century members relied heavily upon the Club’s archives. The minute books, annual reports and committee records provided evidence of each person’s impact on the RSYC, while personal letters from former members offered insight into their character and influence within the Club community. Moreover, for the most recent inductees, the Club’s magazine, first published in the 1980s, proved invaluable. The magazine was such a useful source because not did it document the inductees’ key initiatives but it also it revealed the issues that members considered most important at the time and how the inductees responded to them. Overall, through combining these sources, it allowed the team to create a biographical narrative that captured the inductee’s personality as well as their contributions to the Club.
A visitor reading Teo Eng Tat’s display in the Hall of Fame exhibition.
Exhibition Design:
The Hall of Fame exhibition was developed in collaboration with Oxygen Design Studios. The display was given a curved structure resembling a sail billowing in the wind to fit into the Club’s sailing identity and its sleek appearance complemented the modern architecture of the clubhouse. However, to reinforce the exhibition’s historical character, the upper section of the display featured traditional watercolour-style illustrations of the inductees based on photographs from the Club’s archives. Finally, beneath these illustrations, biographical profiles introduced visitors to the lives and contributions of each inductee.
Hall of Fame display dedicated to inductee Tan Kay Toh.