Photographer Nguan captures the surreal beauty of Singapore in order to romanticize his homeland.
Photographer Nguan captures the surreal beauty of Singapore in order to romanticize his homeland.
Nguan
"Singapore is clean and efficient but you don't feel anything when you think of the country," said Nguan in a phone interview.
"Singapore is clean and efficient but you don't feel anything when you think of the country," said Nguan in a phone interview.
Nguan
His pastel-colored photos have appeared in overseas exhibitions.
His pastel-colored photos have appeared in overseas exhibitions.
Nguan
Nguan portrays a different side to the "sterile" city-state -- one that represents the lives of everyday people.
Nguan portrays a different side to the "sterile" city-state -- one that represents the lives of everyday people.
Nguan
He is particularly fond of picturing corridors in public housing blocks, as they contain evidence of the complex lives unfolding within, he said.
He is particularly fond of picturing corridors in public housing blocks, as they contain evidence of the complex lives unfolding within, he said.
Nguan
"Every corridor is like a street on its own," he explained.
"Every corridor is like a street on its own," he explained.
Nguan
In one photo, a colorful array of clothes and towels in the corridor are soaking up the sunset.
In one photo, a colorful array of clothes and towels in the corridor are soaking up the sunset.
Nguan
"Much is beautiful and much is broken, and the entire city is haunted," Nguan said, of his interpretation of the city through photography.
"Much is beautiful and much is broken, and the entire city is haunted," Nguan said, of his interpretation of the city through photography.
Nguan
He also looks to nature, frequently picturing the bougainvillea flowers whose bright hue is now known as "Singapore pink."
He also looks to nature, frequently picturing the bougainvillea flowers whose bright hue is now known as "Singapore pink."
Nguan
Another recurring motif in Nguan's photos is the colorful plastic chairs commonly seen at hawker centers, religious festivals, weddings and funerals.
Another recurring motif in Nguan's photos is the colorful plastic chairs commonly seen at hawker centers, religious festivals, weddings and funerals.
Nguan
One photo shows a woman eating alone at a hawker center.
One photo shows a woman eating alone at a hawker center.
Nguan
"The rapid development of the city has led to collective nostalgia among Singaporeans because the country they remember is gone (or) going very quickly," said Nguan.
"The rapid development of the city has led to collective nostalgia among Singaporeans because the country they remember is gone (or) going very quickly," said Nguan.
Nguan
This unease is embodied by Geylang, a notorious red light district where neon-lit brothels stand amid seafood restaurants and Buddhist temples.
This unease is embodied by Geylang, a notorious red light district where neon-lit brothels stand amid seafood restaurants and Buddhist temples.
Nguan
Yet, this rapidly gentrifying area retains vestiges of the past in the form of shophouses, a style of colonial building found throughout Southeast Asia.
Yet, this rapidly gentrifying area retains vestiges of the past in the form of shophouses, a style of colonial building found throughout Southeast Asia.
Nguan
"Singapore is a city raised up from jungle and I wanted to show that our true nature cannot be paved," said the photographer. "I think it's how we are -- we are wondering parts and we are restless by nature."
"Singapore is a city raised up from jungle and I wanted to show that our true nature cannot be paved," said the photographer. "I think it's how we are -- we are wondering parts and we are restless by nature."
Nguan