SG100 - Chung Wah Sun

I can build better than the youngsters

"The Japanese soldiers asked me to chase a duck. I tried but I lost it so I ran home. They shot through my wooden door, leaving a gaping hole. Lucky I was not shot dead!

I repaired and built the meeting door at the Parliament house in the 70s…Lee Kuan Yew was efficient, he paid my overtime! The spiral staircase at Kallang Cinema, is it still there? I made that too. The boss requested for Teak and paid me a lump sum. 

I enjoyed going to bars. I earned a lot, spent a lot. I did not save. Why should I save? Now I don’t have money.

I bet I can build better than the youngsters. I can do it. But companies refuse to insure me because I’m too old. I cannot build anymore. 

I carry pens in my pocket not because I write. I seldom write. It’s just a habit. But for now…it’s just to look good. 

My wife is not my first love. She is my only one."  

--

Mr Chung Wah Sun was born in 1915 and grew up in Malacca. A carpenter by profession, Mr Chung started as an apprentice during the Japanese Occupation. In his late 20s, he met and fell in love with his wife (now 87). They moved to Singapore after the war. Mr Chung was in the construction industry for over 30 years. He owned a small company specialising in Teak carpentry. Mr Chung built the beautiful doors in his flat by himself 15 years ago, when he was 86. 

Text by Adlina Maulod

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 - Yip Kwai Heng

Young people must learn how to do everything

"I started working at 14. Grow crops…rear cows…I had to do everything to support my family. One day I heard someone say, “We are going to Singapore!” So I quickly went along. They said coming to Singapore was good. You can earn money. You can earn a lot of money!

I was 19 when I arrived in Singapore. I did not tell my father or mother. They would not have let me come otherwise. 

What’s there to not be happy? I just sleep every day, and live every day.

I teach our helper how to cook. She does not know how. Boil old cucumber soup. Add some pork bones and honey dates…very delicious! For soya sauce chicken…first you stir-fry the vegetables and then you add the chicken piece-by-piece in soya sauce. 

I want to mati. Life stops having meaning when you have lived too long. My wish is to die at night, peacefully in my sleep. Pray to Guan Yin, that I get my wish. 

Young people must learn how to do everything. I sewed clothes, swept floors, rolled cigars, and peddled goods. I carried mud! I do, what I can do. I will teach you to roll cigars. You must do everything to earn money. Then save a lot of money. 

We were so poor then. I work all my life. I have saved a lot of money by myself and for my daughter’s education."

--

Born in 1916, Madam Yip started working at 14, rearing crops and cows in Guangzhou, China. She stayed in a coolie house upon arrival in Singapore. Madam Yip had to pay her friends to be match-made to her late husband. In her late 30s, Madam Yip adopted her only daughter. Her daughter admires her spunk and describes Madam Yip as a highly independent, very outspoken and friendly woman who was good at earning and saving money. Madam Yip was also brave. She marched in to her husband’s workplace to resolve a conflict between her husband and his colleagues in a time where Chinese women were expected to be docile and quiet. At 96, Madam Yip was actively doing marketing rounds for her household until a bad fall necessitated a hip replacement. Despite her ailments, Madam Yip still insists on cooking for her daughter. 

Text by Adlina Maulod. 

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'.

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." 

--

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.

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'.

Youth Olympic Gamescapes in Singapore - 2010

Tilt-shift photographs we made during the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore.