Date: Feb 21 (Mon) – Feb 26 (Sat)
Venue: The Rotunda, Exchange Square, Hong Kong
The auction dinner will take place on March 16 at the Four Seasons in Hong Kong, where the winner and the public vote prize winner will be announced.
http://www.sovereignartfoundation.com/art-prizes/asia/gallery/?year=2010
Please click on the link and cast your vote. Thank you.
Congratulations to the five mentees:
Alecia Neo (Singapore), Chen Wen Li (Taiwan), Debbie Tea (Indonesia), Lavender Chang (Taiwan) and Sam Kang Li (Singapore)
Out of the images they submitted, I’ve picked a few to share them here. These five photographers have demonstrated great potential and poetry in their work. I look forward to be a part of their journey.
Alecia Neo, http://www.alecianeo.com
Chen Wen Li
Debbie Tea, http://www.debbietea.com
Lavender Chang, http://www.lavchang.com
Sam Kang Li, http://www.samkangliphotos.com
My inaugural mentorship program has reached its submission deadline. I have received slightly more than a hundred entries.
Initially, I was planning to only accept 2-3 candidates from the submission but I think it will be too difficult. I’m now seriously considering selecting more, though it’s still very difficult to select the final few. Many will ask what am I looking at when I make my selection? To be honest, when I set up the program I have no clue too. I requested the entrants to submit a body of work and their thoughts on why this mentorship program will help them. I will look at all the work, read their thoughts and decide who will benefit most from this program.
It is very important to know that for those who are not selected, it does not mean the works are not good enough. The selection is not based purely on merits of the work submitted. This program is not merely a critique of your work, and I would dare say it is not about critique. It is about sharing. It is about in depth discussion of one’s work, thoughts and dreams. Pursuit of photography can be a very lonely and frustrating path, I will lend you my ears and guide you along, hopefully to find the door that will open up a fresh and exciting chapter of your visual journey. I will also share with you more about what I have gone through and whatever else you want to know and curious about. The idea is to mentally prepare you for this journey. If I have the answer, I will share. If I don’t, we will find out together.
For those selected, we will try to have a one to one chat fortnightly and a group chat once a month. Selected conversations and images will be shared on my website. Also, the mentees will be able to email me whenever they want when they have any questions or if they have anything to share with me about their progress.
As for those not selected, I will also do my part to write an email to them, commenting on the work they submitted and the questions they have on the written essays. Please note that due to the overwhelming submissions, it will take me a bit of time to reply everyone. I thank you for your patience.
Stay tuned…. results will be disclosed before Jan 31.
Date: Jan 12 (Wed) – Feb 16 (Wed)
Venue: 2902 Gallery, Singapore
An exhibition that brings together the works of notable contemporary photographers from Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
Taking the name of a tree species that is common in Southeast Asia, the exhibition is a showcase of highly sophisticated images captured with well-honed skills and expertise. Put together, the works provide a glorious insight to the burgeoning standards of photography craftsmanship and the blossoming photography industry in Southeast Asia. By intertwining different artistic talents of the region, it is also a platform of cultural exchange and understanding. This exhibition is a fringe event of Art Stage Singapore.
Address: 11B Mount Sophia, #B2-09, Singapore 228466
ANGSANA Party: Jan 15 (Sat), 7pm
RSVP via email to angsana@2902gallery.com or call +65 6339 8655
Date: Jan 6 (Thurs) – Feb 6 (Sun)
Venue: Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions (LACE)
http://www.welcometolace.org/exhibitions/view/the-open-daybook-exhibition/
http://www.davidpearle.com/theopendaybook/Home.html
Date: Nov 19 (Fri)
Venue: The Istana, Singapore
https://pda.designsingapore.org/presidents-design-award/award-recipients/2010/john-clang.html
他说：“我一直都对现代艺术摄影感兴趣，一开始也是展览艺术家，不是商业摄影师。不过当年摄影艺术几乎不存在，因此在接商业工作的同时，我也在私底下继续我的现代艺术摄影项目。
by 林诗慧, Nov 20, 2010
Calling for submission. The program will begin in February 2011.
Please click here for submission details.
Testimonials
“I feel that Clang was able to read me very clearly through my images.”
I first met Clang at a portfolio review that my school sent me to in 2004 when I was 19. I remembered Clang to be very direct and blunt about what he thought was good work and what was not. In the review, there was an experienced female photographer whom everyone in the class thought had the best work because it was well presented in a nice book and the images were ‘technically’ sound. However to everyone’s surprise, Clang actually shot down all her work.
When asked whose pictures he thought were good, and also to everyone’s surprise, he picked out 3 of my pictures (polaroid portraits that I took of my close friends). I think everyone did not understood why he liked them because my pictures did not look technically accomplished and my work was very poorly presented. However Clang’s reason was that he felt a stronger voice in those 3 pictures alone than in the other books. He did however also say that the rest of my pictures were contrived and were in that sense worthless.
Looking back now, this meeting alone and subsequent emails actually made me question my perception on photography and why Clang could so easily tell when I have not been honest and when I was trying too hard that my pictures became contrived. It is something that I am still questioning myself everyday and what he said I will always hold close to heart – ” working / thinking / working / thinking to reach a level of ‘SELF’ “
Although I didn’t have the chance to assist Clang before, these brief moments with him were enough to change my perception on photography entirely. He had shaped my values as a photographer and an artist. I feel that Clang was able to read me very clearly through my images. This made me appreciate his comments and somehow answered some of my questions I had as a new photographer. It fuels me with the desire to reach the level of clarity and consciousness of oneself. I guess it is not how many people you meet in your life who will shape your life experience, but who you meet, this one encounter, even brief could just change you entirely.
I am still very thankful to him today, and his comments are the ones that I really cherish. I’ll work even harder to be able to stand alongside him!
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Stefan Khoo
Stefan is a fashion photographer whose clients include Calvin Klein and Levi’s. He also shoots for editorials like Designare, Female, Harper’s Bazaar, L’Officiel, Nuyou and Style Men.
http://www.stefankhoo.com
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“Clang, in his informal and unassuming manner, reminded us that we know more than we think we do, by being aware of our unique leanings and backgrounds growing up in Singapore.”
As a student who knew little and wanted even less, a brief sharing session by Clang on the afternoon of 12th June 2004 showed me otherwise. Clang, in his informal and unassuming manner, reminded us that we know more than we think we do, by being aware of our unique leanings and backgrounds growing up in Singapore. We, through our often inexplicable ways shrouded by our mishmash culture, are our own greatest assets. Our accents need not be watered down, and we should feel confident presenting very ‘Singaporean’ elements to the international stage. He taught me also that a bit of mystery never hurt anyone.
That afternoon, I also learnt about hunger, and that caution has to be thrown to the wind at times. From his own story about uprooting and working tirelessly on his craft, I was inspired to be stubborn about the quality I feel the concept deserves, but at the same time be humble enough to recognise that I will never know enough – and that that is really the pleasure of work.
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Erica Lai
Erica won the first prize in the 24th UOB Painting of the Year competition for photography and has been actively creating her art and involving in exhibitions. Her latest work was shortlisted from over 6500 entries to be exhibited during the Singapore International Photography Festival (SIPF 2010).
http://www.erica-lai.com
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“I have always been an admirer of Clang’s work and his dedication to helping other people.”
I am grateful for Clang’s continuous kind support over the years since our first meeting. He has given me invaluable encouragement and feedback for both my career and education. I have always been an admirer of Clang’s work and his dedication to helping other people. It is with great fondness that I remember when we were together on his roof garden, when a balloon aimlessly drifted passed us, catching our attention. To which Clang stated that the passing balloon is like existence. It was at this time that I became compelled to contemplate impermanence. Clang is an inspiration to me.
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Louis Lau
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“One thing I truly enjoyed out of this mentorship was the essay writings I was assigned to do.”
I started off late in my tertiary studies, cos I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do earlier and I was 22. I decided to pursue studies in Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, thinking maybe I can pick up some art direction/design knowledge. During my foundation year, photography was one of my electives. And, I scored distinction A’s.
One of the first assignments I gave myself before entering into my 2nd year was to search for photographers I can look up to and learn from. So I frantically googled “Cool Photography/Legendary Photographer/etc” for 3 long days. Then I saw this one image on Google’s Images. It was Clang’s Upskirt series. The hue and composition of that shot was something I truly appreciate.
I managed to get his email online. And in May 2003, I dropped him an email, titled Photography Student from Singapore. No response. I kept checking my mail for a month long for this “Ang-Moh” photographer to reply. And when I was to about to give up… Clang finally replied!
On his 2nd email, Clang introduced himself as a fellow Singaporean who would like to mentor me. I remembered I was in tears while reading that piece of email. Cos never in my life (then), I was given such an awesome chance.
One thing I truly enjoyed out of this mentorship was the essay writings I was assigned to do. Covering Hiroshi Sugimoto, Thomas Struth, Andreas Gursky and Thomas Ruff’s. From having no idea of these great ones, to understanding in depth of their photography work.
My last essay assignment was ” To try find 3 female photographers that I admire and tell Clang if their gender help their work.” It was this piece of work that made me realised, it’s gonna be very tough for me to be a photographer even in today’s society.
My first meeting with Clang was at Royal Copenhagen Tea Lounge in October 2004. I remembered every word he said to me throughout that whole tea session. He told me to quit school and that I will be someone in 2 years time.
I told Clang I would give this a thought, as it’s not going to be easy. So I quit school the next day. And my life got better out from this bittersweet journey.
He pushed the hard door for me, not by dropping his name in the local industry. But for the fact, I knew he believed in me. And that pushed me mentally and emotionally.
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Xuan Ong
Xuan has shot advertising campaigns for FedEx, Huggies, Levi’s, Nokia, Samsung, Singapore Airlines, The Coca-Cola Company and Vaseline and worked with agencies like Bates 141, BBH, Cheil Worldwide, Leo Burnett, Ogilvy & Mather and TBWA.
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“John Clang provided calming reassurance during periods where I was full of uncertainty in my path towards becoming a photographer.”
John Clang provided calming reassurance during periods where I was full of uncertainty in my path towards becoming a photographer. In spite of his incredible track record as a photographer, he has always taken the time to share advice. His presence as a highly respected photographer both commercially and artistically has provided a model of encouragement and given me the courage to believe in my abilities as a Singaporean photographer.
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Jing Quek
Jing was recently shortlisted from nominated entries as one of the top three finalists for the ICON de Martell Cordon Bleu award. He has exhibited in Italy, Latvia, Singapore, USA and his commercial and editorial clients include M1, GlaxoSmithKline, Tiger Beer, Newsweek, Surface, THEME, amongst others.
http://superhyperreal.com
