Time Out at 40

Jing Quek | Stefanie Sun | Donna Ong

Jing Quek
Jing Quek is on a mission to drag Singaporean photography into the limelight. His large, colourful, carefully choreographed group shots – in which he convinces everyday Singaporeans to pose in sometimes hilarious, but always endearing, ways – have been attracting attention across the Far East and beyond. Quek, who has a bachelor’s degree from the School of Visual Arts in New York, has seen his work displayed in galleries across the Far East and has shot for a number of magazines including Newsweek.

What does it mean to you to be a Time Out hero?
A super ability to promote new visions of Singaporean-ism and local pride in Singapore and all over the world.

Who are your heroes?
Jack Kerouac, Jessica Craig-Martin, Jitterbugs Swingapore’s Sing Yuen, Erwin Olaf.

What are you most proud of in your career/life?
I’m most proud of shooting America’s Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards for the cover of Newsweek during a crucial voting period in the -10C cold of Iowa, with our flight delayed six hours, luggage lost, and on barely five hours of sleep.

What is your favourite place in Singapore?
The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf at The Paragon shopping centre, where I spend too much time, to their chagrin I’m sure.
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What is your favourite personal Singapore moment?
Watching Singaporeans get passionate about the 2006 general elections, with all the online coverage and the attendance of rallies throughout Singapore.

What are your hopes for Singapore for the future?
To be less logical, more confident, less competitive, kinder, and with more appreciation of the smaller things in life.

Time Out means…
…bringing fresh insight into local culture while giving good tips on events and places to check out in Singapore.

Singapore is…
…a paradox of success and insecurity amid a constant search for achievement – in the most positive and loving way possible.
Interview Alexis Ong

www.timeout.com/singapore

Jing Quek | Stefanie Sun | Donna Ong