On Sunday, 22 June 2025, a one-day Visual Vernacular (VV) Workshop was hosted at The Loft @ Havelock 2, bringing together a small, but passionate group of 13 participants – both Deaf and hearing – to explore a powerful form of visual storytelling deeply rooted in Deaf communities worldwide.

The workshop was led by Xue Fei, a Deaf trainer from China, who guided us through the rich expressive and cinematic world of Visual Vernacular. VV is a performance art that blends creative handshapes, body movement, facial expressions, and cinematic storytelling – without the need for voice or spoken language.

What Happened at the Workshop

Throughout the full-day session, the participants engaged in activities that focused on:

• Using creative handshapes to represent people, objects and environments
• Crafting short visual stories with rhythm and visual language
• Gaining insight into the history and evolution of VV as an art form in the Deaf world

The workshop created a highly inclusive and collaborative environment where every participant – Deaf or hearing – had space to learn, express, and be challenged creatively.

Why It Matters

This workshop wasn’t just about learning a new performance skill – it was about fostering a shared appreciation for visual, non-verbal storytelling, too.

It was inspired by my recent experience attending the inaugural VV Festival in Washington, D.C. in May 2024, organised by The VV Underground. There, I witnessed the boundless creativity of Deaf artists from around the world. They told stories that transcended language – with full of meaning, and artistry.

Later this year, I’ll be traveling to Japan for the Deaf Arts Festival, where the Sign Slam, including VV is inspired by ASL Slam in the U.S. These international exchanges continue to shape how I see the potential of VV in Singapore and beyond.

A Small Step, A Strong Impact

Though this was a one-day session, the energy and engagement throughout the workshop were deeply affirming. Participants expressed interest in attending future sessions.

We’re grateful for the support of Singapore Repertory Theatre (SRT) for the venue sponsorship, and to everyone who participated and helped behind the scenes.

This is only the beginning. As we look ahead, we remain committed to nurturing Deaf artistic expression and creating more inclusive, creative spaces where Deaf and hearing communities can connect through the visual beauty of VV – a visual performance arts.