Discover Unseen Wonders of Singapore

The Surreal Beauty of Singapore Through Photography

An Insightful Perspective

Nguan, a talented photographer, aims to showcase the enchanting landscape of Singapore. “Singapore is clean and efficient but you don’t feel anything when you think of the country,” he shares during a phone interview.

Capturing Everyday Life

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.

His pastel-colored photographs have garnered recognition in overseas exhibitions. Nguan explores a different side of Singapore; one that represents the lives of everyday people rather than the typical urban landscape.

The Heart of Public Housing

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 has a particular fondness for photographing corridors in public housing blocks. He believes these spaces encapsulate the complex lives unfolding within them. “Every corridor is like a street on its own,” he explains, revealing the narratives that these representations convey.

Nature Intertwined with Urban Life

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.’

In his artwork, Nguan often captures the vibrant bougainvillea flowers, a symbol of Singapore’s lush environment. Another distinctive motif in his photography includes colorful plastic chairs commonly found at hawker centers, religious festivals, weddings, and funerals, reflecting the rich cultural tapestry of the city.

A Dual Narrative

Much is beautiful and much is broken, and the entire city is haunted,
“Much is beautiful and much is broken, and the entire city is haunted,” Nguan said, of his interpretation of the city through photography.

Through his lens, Nguan conveys a city that is both beautiful and intricate yet marked by the complexities of urban life. His work invites viewers to explore beyond the surface, recognizing layers of stories intertwined within Singapore’s modern identity.


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