It’s always good to step out of my self-imposed exile and revisit old friends. Went to 2902 Gallery over the weekend to check out the new exhibition – Zoological, featuring Ang Song Nian, Wimo Bayang, Heman Chong, John Clang, Nguan, Sherman Ong, Liana Yang, Joel Yuen and Zhao Renhui.

The show comprises of photographs, video and installation works, in a much smaller but more intimate space. The viewer is quickly confronted by Zhao Renhui’s new works at the entrance – a dead goldfish staring blankly back at the viewer. It entices one to explore the other works and ponder how each added (or detracted) from the main theme.

A quick note to readers, 2902 Gallery has shifted to its new premises at 222 Queen Street, down from the tranquility of its previous space at the top of Mt. Sophia. To non-local readers, it’s not so much a mountain but a mound, one that required 10 minutes of stairs-climbing and a good gluteal workout.

TOP, Untitled, 2012
© Ch’ng Yaohong, 2012

As I wind down this year, I am truly grateful and thankful for many things in my life. While the frequency of my posts has dropped drastically, I am constantly reminded that I still have this avenue to communicate with many around the world. Here’s wishing all of you a wonderful year ahead. God bless.

TOP TO BOTTOM, from (“SuperHeroes“)
© Sam Chin, 2012

In the latest figures released by Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower in June 2012, there were 277,600 foreign workers holding a construction work permit. This is out of a total of 1.2 million foreign workers in a country with a population of 5.3 million (all squeezed on an island with an area of 704 km²/272 sq mi). Despite such high density, Singaporeans tend to overlook the many foreign workers who toil day and night in their midst – the tireless men who contribute to the development and maintenance of the country.

Sam seeks to “mediate the situation” by imploring his countrymen to view these workers in a different light. With a few strobes and a white backdrop, the hardworking men are separated from their harsh-looking workplace into a makeshift on-location fashion shoot. This method forces the viewer to confront the absurdity of the situation while challenging preconceived images of how these men should look like. I absolutely adored the stoic expressions and the fashionista-like poses that some of the subjects adopted.

This series can be viewed at the National Museum as part of Objectifs’ 10 Years of Shooting Home exhibition from now till Dec 27.

For more of Sam’s works, please visit his website here.

DAA is currently calling for entires to win a seat at the 2012 Foundry Photojournalism Workshop. It is open to citizens of Thailand, Laos, Burma/Myanmar, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, China, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia & Malaysia who have been shooting professionally for less than three years and who will be under the age of 30 on 4th August 2012.

Documentary Arts Asia is acting as the primary local partner for this year’s Foundry Photojournalism Workshop, which will run from 29th July to 4th August in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The Foundry Workshop is an incredible opportunity for photographers to learn from some of the greatest practitioners working in the world today. This year’s amazing group of instructors includes: Alison Morley, Ron Haviv , Walter Astrada, Andrea Bruce, David Guttenfelder, David Storey, Ashley Gilbertson, Maggie Steber and many more!

Deadline to enter is 21st June 2012.

Please visit their website for further submission information.

Note: Prize does not include transport, lodging or food.

TOP TO BOTTOM, from (“The Queen, The Chairman and I“)
© Kurt Tong, 2012

Originally from Hong Kong, spent two thirds of his life in England. The Queen, The Chairman and I is a project that traces his roots through new/found photographs and words.

I truly enjoyed the juxtaposition of images, old and new. Viewers may be forced to weave their own narratives through the different layers of history and Tong’s personal story. The project becomes a legacy for his own children who may one day embark on their own searches. Remarkable piece of work.

Kurt Tong’s The Queen, The Chairman and I will be presented as part of the London Festival of Photography, and will be available at the Horse Hospital from 31 May to 23 June 2012. Details are available here.

View his portfolio for more.

In the mean time, I am still keeping the site alive for archival purposes, have less time now to blog but may pop by occasionally. Thank you all for the support over the years, we will see where life leads me next.

TOP TO BOTTOM, from (“Enticement.Solitary“)
© Tanmoy Nayak, 2011

I particularly liked this set of diptychs by young and talented photographer, Tanmoy Nayak, from Calcutta. More on his flickr stream.

TOP TO BOTTOM, from (“Fantasies“)
© Paolo Morales, 2011

Don’t we fall prey to the boundless depths of our fantasies at times? Paolo Morales used the camera as a tool to construct relationships with women, not picking them up from bars but staged events from stolen moments.

TOP TO BOTTOM, from (“Creatures of Habit, A Race Divided, Marked“)
© Veejay Villafranca

Filipino photojournalist Veejay Villafranca tackles serious social issues with a keen eye for dramatic compositions. Check out his portfolio here.

TOP, from (“Good Night, Sleepless Night“) © Charles Nikolas Buenconsejo

BOTTOM, from (“In Ramble“) © Arjay Arevalo

Put a bunch of creative types together and you have a nightmare to manage. Egos, conflicting schedules and differing styles. The Every2nd Project is a collective of Filipino photographers who have gathered to spur each other on creatively. Take a look.