Platform Ten 2011

When we set up Platform, one of the missions we set for ourselves was to go out and find new talents, and more specifically, ‘young’ Singaporeans who demonstrate a desire to devote their time and effort to further documentary photography in this tiny island.

It’s comforting to know that in our short existence, we have managed to do a bit of that, and the mission is still high up on our priority list.

Perhaps now is the right time to bring this up to another level.

Last October, we launched Platform Ten, an initiative to identify and recognize 10 new faces whom we, the panel of nominators, believe, will make a difference in the area of Documentary Photography and Photojournalism, in the years to come.

We are proud to present another 10 newcomers for 2011.

Click on their names to see their works, and what the nominators have to say of them.

ANG Siang Li
Zinkie AW
Nadia KAMIL
Joan LAI
LIM Weixiang
Danny SANTOS II
Ivan TAN
Gary WANG
WONG Jing Wei
Zakaria ZAINAL

ANG Siang Li

Emmeline Yong on Ang Siang Li:

“The desire to understand, remember and record drives Ang Siang Lee’s documentary work. He tells stories about the connections among people – loved ones that we ‘carry’ with us on photos, meals shared with friends and people he meets through his travels. His works strike a chord with us through their universality and the simplicity in composition. Although Siang Lee has only recently made his switch into photography as a full-time career, his ability to create images that are personal and yet relatable, make him a photographer to keep a look out for over the next few years. ”

flickr.com/photos/ang-sg
chengli79@gmail.com

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Zinkie AW

Ernest Goh on Zinkie Aw:

“Photography started off as a curious experiment for web designer Zinkie Aw, but has since evolved into a mainstay that helps define who she is.

Curiosity killed the cat.

Zinkie believes,
Passion brought it back.”

facebook.com/aw.zinkie
zinkie.aw@gmail.com

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Nadia KAMIL

Shannon Castleman on Nadia Kamil:

“For the last 2 years Nadia Kamil has served as the Photo area executive at NTU. What few of the students know is Nadia is an accomplished photographer in her own right. The first work of hers that caught my eye was a stunning collection of images she produced in India about the Ganges River. I am equally impressed by her latest series which focuses on enforced disappearance of suspected Kashmiri militants. Nadia is a very kind and sensitive person which comes through in her images. The projects Nadia chooses to work on reflect the strength of her character and her courageous nature. ”

2807.nadia@gmail.com

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Joan LAI

Goh Eck Kheng on Joan Lai:

“Joan, an advertising art director, was introduced to mobile phone street photography just six months ago. Already, her images convey deep feelings in a wide range of emotions, a reflection of her understanding and sensitive use of the medium. The direct ones are hard to forget; the ambiguous ones are chillingly provocative. They all communicate and are artistic in their own right. Joan has been nominated to present at Platform Ten in recognition of her innate talent and to encourage her to continue to photograph more bravely.”

facebook.com/penwirk
pinterest.com/penwirk
penwirk@gmail.com

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LIM Weixiang

Darren Soh on Lim Weixiang:

“Some photographers want their work to serve as a mirror of the world around them, some have wry comments to make, while others are just happy to make aesthetically pleasing images. Weixiang, in my opinion, is capable of combining all three, to produce images that may be deceptively mundane-looking at first glance. But, they will start to reveal and say a lot more about both subject and photographer upon closer scrutiny. For someone who has only started photographing seriously in the last two years, he is developing a very personal and unique way of seeing and interpreting the changing Singapore around him. I really can’t wait to see more.”

weixiang.viewbook.com
wxlimwx@gmail.com

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Danny SANTOS II

Leonard Goh on Danny Santos II:

“Danny may not be a full-time photographer but his set of images, which revolves around Orchard Road, tells me that he is a lot more hardworking than some photographers I know. He shoots there almost every weekend, rain or shine. Orchard Road is pretty much a staple for a lot of us, and I am sure we are very familiar with it. However, Danny’s voyeuristic portraits of strangers on the streets depict a distance which you will feel when you see a stranger, and this is why I’m drawn to them. Through his photos, I am able to stare at them for ages, scrutinize the tattoos, the faces and their expressions.”

dannyst.com
dannysantos@gmail.com

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Ivan TAN

Justin Zhuang on Ivan Tan:

“An emerging photographer shouldn’t be measured by what he has achieved, but what he can achieve. Ivan Tan can, because he is hungry. Since picking up photography five years ago, he has sought to master it, shooting with film and self-developing prints. He worked hard to find his voice, shooting fashion, portraits, weddings, and most recently, trying out photojournalism. These 10 photographs taken in the last two years show what drives Ivan’s photography today: a desire to make sense of his world, and to express how he feels about it — because Ivan is not just a photographer, but a person too.”

ivantanphotography.com
ivantanweddings@gmail.com

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Gary WANG

Kevin Ox Lee on Gary Wang:

“Gary is a young photographer who shoots not for a living, but for love of the craft. I find his documentary photographs of street life in Singapore interesting, sometimes random and at times intriguing. They reveal a good photographic eye and more importantly, a raw potent voice. Who Gary is as a photographer I have yet to decipher, but I am curious. My nomination of him is a push, a little kick in the backside, if I may, for him to continue, refine, develop and grow further as a photographer – to find his voice. With a little guidance and direction, Gary can become a photographer with work that rises well above those of his peers.”

flickr.com/photos/agnosticgary
drunkenmasterphotography.tumblr.com
rfsg.sg
agnosticgary@yahoo.co.uk

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WONG Jing Wei

Lee Gim Lay on Wong Jing Wei:

“I believe good or important works of an individual reflect the true character/nature of the person. Using photography as an ‘excuse’, Jing Wei addressed his inner feelings, especially that of his self-consciousness with/around people. His exploration reveals the inner dichotomy – a fear to be rejected and a desire to be accepted. The courage to confront the brutal truth spurred him on, and rewarded him with these images that are contemplative, personal, and sincere. ”

wongjingwei.com
wongjwei@gmail.com
me@wongjingwei.com

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Zakaria ZAINAL

Tay Kay Chin on Zakaria Zainal:

“Street-smart, charming and persuasive in his own way, Zak can open any doors, here and faraway, but he understands that the most meaningful work he can do, are all here, in his own backyard, and they can all be traced to his heart. When finally completed, his Gurkhas series will undoubtedly be an important documentary to cherish, and to learn from; but what will be even more important is his continued series on his inner circles, starting with his own family.”

zakariazainal.com
mail@zakariazainal.com

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