Fragments of Now is a showcase by Singapore-born Dutch artist Hedwige Jacobs, presented as part of Past Forward — a collaboration between Bank of Singapore and Art Outreach Singapore. 

Drawn to collecting found paper and boxes, Jacobs transforms overlooked everyday materials into intricate worlds of drawing and imagination. In Fragments of Now, over 300 cardboard boxes, the largest installation in the series to date, are filled with figures that stretch, gather and interact, creating small worlds that momentarily come alive. Viewed from afar, the installation reads as a floating constellation; up close, each box reveals its own distinct character and narrative. 

Many of the boxes feature packaging from Singaporean brands, reimagined as a contemplative celebration of shared culture and everyday life. Presented in the wake of SG60, the work invites viewers to reflect on how a nation's stories are carried through its people, materials and everyday gestures; while its upcycling of found materials speaks to the value of reuse and mindful consumption, a resonant message during the festive season of gifting and sharing.

Art Outreach contributed to Fragments of Now through artist recommendation and oversight of the installation process, bringing our curatorial knowledge and operational experience to bear in realising the project.