Tilt-shift Photographer in Singapore - Singaplural

In 2011, I made these images at an interesting time in Singapore history and politics:

"I photographed the 2011 Singapore General Elections as it proved to be a significant chapter in Singapore’s history — a sea of change for Singapore and its citizens’ perceptions toward politics. Titled Singaplural, these photographs explore the interaction of common people with their immediate spaces via a tilt-shift perspective. Singaporeans from all walks of life — regardless of race, language and religion — came together to attend and listen to various political rally hotspots all over Singapore in what was a contest of the hearts and minds of voters. Though most Singaporeans have little interest in politics, these photographs depict otherwise. Close to 50,000 people were reported to have attended such rallies. Singapore’s ruling People’s Action Party may have swept back to power and secured 81 of 87 seats in parliament, but the six opposition seats lost were the highest since this young nation’s independence in 1965. Using a perspective control lens, these images offer a miniaturised and alternative perspective to the elections — in a country affectionately known as the little red dot. In Singaplural, these common, and sometimes overlooked, spaces combine the plurality of people, perspectives and ideas, converging them into one location during the elections."

SG100 - Soo Too Mie

I miss everyone 

"I did not know my husband but I was still excited to get married. He and I had each taken a photo for our wedding. After the ceremony, a man offered to turn them into portraits. I love taking photos but studio shoots are expensive. 

When the Japanese came, we evacuated to Pulau Ubin for safety. My first son was just born. We lived there for twenty over years. Life was very free and easy. Although we did not have much at home, there were more things to do then unlike now. 

How to be happy when you can’t remember? 

I miss everyone. My husband, my parents…but what is the point of missing? Everyone’s gone.

Thank you, thank you for taking my picture, I miss studio photos. Reminds me of my early days." 

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Madam Soo was born in Guangdong, China in 1916. Shortly after her arranged wedding, her husband was posted to Singapore to work as a clerk for a construction company. In 1936 when she was 20, Madam Soo departed on a five-week journey from Hong Kong to join her husband and raise a family in Singapore. Madam Soo is an introvert and a devoted homemaker who loves looking after young children. One of her most memorable experiences was watching her eldest son receive education. She also showed us her wedding portrait and was incredibly excited to have her photo professionally taken. Mdm Soo was smiling throughout the photo shoot. Madam Soo constantly reminds her son to “get another house”. She misses the carefree island life in Ubin where she feels free to roam around her compound compared to living in an urban high-rise flat.

Text by Adlina Maulod.

Healthcare Photographer in Singapore - Centenarians - Soo Too Mie
Centenarians - SG100 - Soo Too Mie

Commissioned to take portraits of Singaporean centenarians by the Centre for Ageing Research and Education (CARE) for their recent conference titled 'Are Centenarians the Realisation of Successful Ageing: Insights from a Global Study'.

These portraits also feature as an exhibition together with the conference titled 'SG100: A Celebration of Our Centenarians'.

SG100 - Goh Beng Seng

You are all very lucky

"When the Japanese came, I decided to become my own boss. I had two other partners, but they have both passed away.

When I was young, only when you work, then can you get to eat.  If you don’t work you have nothing to eat. Young people of this era do not have much worries, you are all very lucky. 

In China, you can work and earn for half a year and then enjoy the other half of the year. I wanted to grow old in China. Here, even when you are old, you have to keep working until you die. Money runs out fast in Singapore. 

I prefer taking the ship to travel to China. The aeroplane is fast…a ship takes five weeks, but there were more things to see.

The money I’ve earned, I sent some to China to build a temple…to repay Ma Zu for giving me safe passage to Singapore. I donated money for a school so village children can study, because I did not have the opportunity to go to school. 

I want to open a shop. At home, everyday sit down, nothing to do." 

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Mr Goh Beng Seng was born in 1913 in Fujian, China. He travelled to Singapore at 21 to work for a relative. He sold joss sticks at Joo Chiat for three years, going back to China for an arranged marriage. He then returned to Singapore at 26 to raise a family with his wife. He got married to his second wife during the Japanese invasion so she would not be taken in as a “comfort woman”. She left him after the Japanese surrendered. After supplying and trading joss sticks for over 60 years, Mr Goh retired in the 80s and handed his business over to his son. Raising children was the most important thing in Mr Goh’s life. He has six sons and three daughters. Throughout his entire career, Mr Goh had frequently donated money and visited China to help his relatives and villagers in Fujian, sometimes at the expense of his own family in Singapore. Leaving behind a legacy at his birthplace was of paramount importance to Mr Goh. 

Text by Adlina Maulod.

Healthcare Photographer in Singapore - Centenarians - Goh Beng Seng
Healthcare Photographer in Singapore - Centenarians - Goh Beng Seng

Commissioned to take portraits of Singaporean centenarians by the Centre for Ageing Research and Education (CARE) for their recent conference titled 'Are Centenarians the Realisation of Successful Ageing: Insights from a Global Study'.

These portraits also feature as an exhibition together with the conference titled 'SG100: A Celebration of Our Centenarians'.

SG100 - Tan Swan Eng

You live better when you work for yourself

"Last time nothing to do, not enough to eat. Must find work to do. 

You can’t be happy working for others. It’s not good to work for other people. You live better when you work for yourself. Work from home, you earn a little bit but it is your own hard-earned money. 

My grandchildren sayang me. They take care of me so I don’t suffer but I prefer to work, earn my own money, so I don’t have to depend on my family. 

I still want to work. Never mind if I become a cleaner. If I don’t work there is no money.

Thinking about my husband, children and grandchildren makes me happy. I am also happy when the government gives me money. 

I’m 98…I don't remember. You’re asking what it’s like to be this old? No good. I am too old.. Don’t live until such an old age. The brain does not work well anymore.

Thank you…thank you…thank you for coming and talking."

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Madam Tan Swan Eng was born in Hainan, China in 1914. In the 1950s, together with her son, she joined her husband, a chicken rice seller, in Singapore. They had enough money for one child and had to leave their elder daughter behind. Madam Tan enjoyed keeping herself busy by working-from-home.. After retiring as a British amah, she made Chinese knot buttons, sewed, went door-to-door selling roti, and packed items for Singapore Airlines. After a bad fall, Madam Tan was certified bedridden, but she proved doctors wrong when she started walking again. She relaxes by listening to Hainanese opera using the cassette radio she purchased during her last visit to China in 2012. 

Text by Adlina Maulod.

Healthcare Photographer in Singapore - Centenarians - Tan Swan Eng
Healthcare Photographer in Singapore - Centenarians - Tan Swan Eng

Commissioned to take portraits of Singaporean centenarians by the Centre for Ageing Research and Education (CARE) for their recent conference titled 'Are Centenarians the Realisation of Successful Ageing: Insights from a Global Study'.

These portraits also feature as an exhibition together with the conference titled 'SG100: A Celebration of Our Centenarians'. A great honour and deeply humbled by this experience. Big thanks to the CARE team.