Samantha Tio – Table For One
TOP TO BOTTOM, from (“Table for One“)
© Samantha Tio, 2009-2010
Samantha Tio, one of Singapore’s emerging photographers has completed her year long project – Table for One. Now it would be shown as an exhibition with an accompanying website for this month’s SIPF festival (more details in another post on that).
When I set out creating images for “Table for One.” I was really curious of the possibility of how art or creating something can stimulate the healing process. Its not uncommon…Taking the body as a site for memories, dreams and reflection of the environment we live in, surely its interior bears its own surfaces for beauty and its absence.
When she first showed me the beginnings of the series, I wondered how long would she go on talking to strangers. She began the series as a form of therapy for her recent heartbreak, and the resulting work is a deep evocative look at the inner world of many “lonely” Singaporeans and herself. Although unstaged, these images see influences of Hopper, Wall and diCorcia; moody, subdued, and a layer of drama hidden beneath the surface.
Using only environmental lighting and “props” (backs of other patrons, chairs, mirrors), she managed to capture that little bit of each sitter. I guess she has a personable way of dealing with people (and a lot of courage) especially in a city state where most people would balk at the idea of talking to a stranger. Kudos to her and congrats. Maybe I won’t have to dine alone very soon. :)
Fantastic work Samantha, great juxtaposition between solitude of the diners and the non-stop rush of the city and restaurants. I too have recently experienced heartbreak, and your work certainly strikes a chord. I hope you’re feeling much better now and that your healing process is complete : )
good to also finally have a name to the pictures, I presume the Table for One tumblr is yours too?
Thank you Hsien Loong, I’m glad you’ve enjoyed the images. I’m definitely feeling better now and even more delighted that the work is going to be realized at Food for Thought @ 8Q, Singapore Art Museum. Do drop by if you have the time, it will be up on exhibit from the 14th of Oct till the 14th of Nov.
I don’t have a Table for One on tumblr. It will be good to check it out though. :)
oh? the tumblr isn’t yours? now that’s interesting… you have a kindred spirit : )
I have to say there’s so many things I like about the ‘Dolce & Gabbana diner’. The expression on the woman’s face and all these subtle implications that the photograph lends interpretation to.
I’m from Johor Bahru but I’ll try my best to make it to SAM. I’m way overdue a visit anyway : )
oh and thank you YH : )
great work. they really touching when I had very first glance at them. I am a photo editor of a magazine. can I have some photos of the table for one for our magazine’s valentine’s topic? thanks.
Its definitely an important issue that not enough people are talking about and Im glad that I got the chance to see all the angles.