Modern Colony is a gallery showcasing Singapore as a British Crown colony from 1925 to 1935, with great attention to cross-Straits Chinese and migrants. The gallery's lighting and background music gave off a colonial atmosphere, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the exhibition. During the colonial period, Singapore was a bustling metropolis, pioneering technological advances such as the telephone system and automobiles in the East. The wealthy in Singapore's Chinese community began to adopt Western education, customs, and lifestyles. ModernityA theme explored in the gallery is Modernity. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay There were numerous exhibits showing that theme, such as a pair of round-framed, metal-rimmed glasses that were popularized by Hollywood actors. Being heavily influenced by Western culture, there was also a growing demand for Western-style men's clothing. There were also exhibitions on Modernity among women. There was a silver women's mesh bag that was inspired by Victorian style bags and made for Westernized Chinese Peranakan women. The traditional cheongsam has also been given a twist with intricate Western-inspired designs. Women also put more effort into their appearance after the influences of Hollywood films and imported magazines. This was evident from an exposed silver dressing table set that was embossed with floral motifs in the Art Nouveau style, an artistic style originating in Europe. Tastes and dining etiquette were also modernising, as presented by a set of tableware bearing royal figures from the Government House collection and sourced from English silverware firms. An item showcasing changing palates was also featured alongside the tableware, featuring imported frozen meat and other products. Gender and education Gender and education were also explored, mainly regarding the role and education of women. Before 1900, educational opportunities were mostly provided to men and women who stayed at home to fulfill traditional roles. However, supporters of women's rights began to emerge. One example was Song Ong Qiang with fellow reformist Dr Lim Boon Keng, who founded the Straits Chinese Magazine which was displayed at the exhibition. It was an important platform to advocate for education and social reform for all Chinese. The Malaya Tribune, then one of the most read English-language newspapers in Singapore, had a “Women's Corner” column that allowed women's voices to be heard and debates on topics such as marriage and equality to be heard. In the exhibition there were AV kiosks where visitors could listen to the different points of view between men and women. A photograph of Sophia Blackmore with students, another prominent figure who founded the Methodist Girls' School, was displayed. A group of British-educated Peranakan Chinese men, including Dr Lim Boon Keng and Song Ong Siang, also founded the Straits Chinese Girls' School (SCGS). The report cards of an SCGS student were also displayed, with subjects such as arithmetic and history. Thoughts after the exhibition Having little knowledge of the colonial period in Singapore, the exhibition was an eye-opening experience as it allowed me to peek into the lives of Chinese Singaporeans in the past. It was interesting to see how Western culture influenced their lives and how this emerged through the intricate details of the exhibition's displays. I also got to see how popular culture was evolving and modernizing their lifestyles, such as how.