Wong Siew Heong Shines in Debut Solo Photography Exhibition: Stories of Light and Shade

Stepping out from backstage into the spotlight, Wong Siew Heong, Senior Executive Officer of the Museum and Art Gallery at Southern UC, is presenting her first solo photography exhibition in the next chapter of her life. Titled “Stories of Light and Shade”, the exhibition uses imagery to narrate heartwarming stories found in ordinary life.

The exhibition was launched on August 1 at the Museum of Art Gallery and received overwhelming support from the public. Among the attendees were internationally renowned Master photographer ML Khong, internationally renowned Master photographer Teo Yong Kang, underwater photography enthusiast Dato’ Dr. Siow Kwang Ling, President of the Photographic Society Johore Tang King Huat, Chairman of Soka Gakkai Malaysia (Johor) Dato’ Ng Chong Boon, Southern University College Vice Chairman of BOD Datin Teh Hwee Tiang, President of Southern UC Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Chuah Joon Huang, Director of Museum and Art Gallery Tan Chai Puan, and Wong Siew Heong’s elder brother, Wong Yoon Poh.

Tan Chai Puan noted that Wong Siew Heong has been a dedicated and capable assistant at the museum for the past decade. Her transition from behind-the-scenes to being in the spotlight is deeply meaningful.

ML Khong praised Wong as a remarkable individual despite being an amateur photographer. He highlighted her passion for challenging subjects, such as her frequent documentation of the Johor Ancient Temple Procession and acknowledged that her work has reached a professional standard, making him proud.

Vice Chairman of BOD Datin Teh Hwee Tiang expressed admiration for Wong’s effort to turn her artistic achievements into an educational contribution, as proceeds from the exhibition’s artwork sales will be donated to the Southern University College Education Fund.

President Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Chuah Joon Huang pointed out that Wong’s photography captures subtle, often-overlooked emotional moments in everyday life. Through the interplay of light and shadow, her work reexamines the ordinary and reveals the warmth and meaning hidden in daily scenes.

Moved by the presence of former classmates, colleagues, fellow photographers, and family members, Wong Siew Heong was visibly emotional as she took the stage to speak. She shared stories and reflections that deeply touched her, emphasizing that “photographs are memories of different eras—without them, we would lose the traces of time.”

She concluded by sharing a truth she has come to embrace over 30 years of photography: “Life is not about shining but about creating.”

The exhibition features 80 of Wong Siew Heong’s works and will run until August 22 (Monday to Friday), from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

上述摄影展于8月1日在本校文物与艺术馆开幕，获各界人士踊跃支持，出席者包括国际著名摄影家孔万良、国际著名摄影家张荣刚、热爱海底摄影的拿督萧光麟医学博士、柔佛摄影学会会长陈锦发、马来西亚创价学会柔佛分会主席拿督黄种文；南方大学学院副董事长拿汀郑惠珍、校长蔡润煌教授、馆长陈再藩及黄秀香的大哥黄永保等。

陈再藩指出，黄秀香是文物馆的得力助手，10年来尽忠职守，今天有机会从幕后走向幕前，意义深远。

孔万良说，黄秀香虽然是一名业余摄影师，但她是一位“不简单人物”，专爱挑战难度很高的创作，例如经常拍摄柔佛古庙游神，水准已达专业程度，令他为之骄傲。

副董事长拿汀郑惠珍说，佩服黄秀香将艺术成果转化为教育回馈，透过个展义卖作品捐助予南方大学学院教育基金。

校长蔡润煌指出，黄秀香的作品擅于捕捉生活中被忽略的一些情感画面，透过光线流动、影子层次重新审视日常，彰显了平凡背后的温度和意义。

看见老同学、旧同事、摄影同好和家人等踊跃出席参与自己的个展，黄秀香甫上台致词，就感动得语带硬咽。

谈到了许多感受和感动的故事后，她也颇有感触地指出，“照片是不同时代的回忆，若没有照片，人们就找不到时光的记忆”。

最后，她也以自己30年来投入摄影领悟的真理送给在场者，那就是“生命不在于闪耀，而在创造”。

“光影的故事” 共展出了80幅黄秀香的作品。

展出日期至本月22日（周一至周五），时间是上午10时至下午4时。