About Nguan...
Nguan is a gifted photographer from Singapore whose work is starting to make an international splash. His strikingly evocative pictures sometimes appear sad and at other times almost rapturous, but mostly they seem to walk a fine line between contrasting emotions. Though each work is usually a mixed bag of messages, you can always be sure that you are looking at a piece of art that will shine a light on the human condition.
Nguan graduated with a filmmaking degree from Northwestern University in Chicago, and after stints living in New York and Los Angeles -- and a change of allegiance from moving to still images -- he is now traveling the world with an analog, fully mechanical Fuji camera in hand. The resulting photos have been showcased in magazines like Arkitip, Candy and Vice as well as numerous online venues.
An interview with Nguan...
What moved you to be a photographer? What motivates you to do what you do?
The energy and surprise of the streets. I love to go out and feel the rhythm of a city, capture its flow. It’s like swimming in the ocean. All the fishes look different. Everything is beautiful.
What inspires your work?
Colour, light, faces.
What do you love the most about being a creative person?
Freedom.
What do you hate the most about being a creative person?
Madness.
What is the happiest moment of your career so far?
I’m grateful to be doing what I’m doing and it’s all been good.
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Back-up your back-ups.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Hopefully it’s yet to come!
What makes you happy, makes you smile?
Summer in the city.
What makes you depressed, makes you grumpy?
Child labour.
Where would you most like to be right now?
Tokyo, so that I can continue working on my Shibuya project.
What is the worst job you've done?
“Production Assistant.”
What (or who) is your favorite...
Pizza
Famous Ray’s on 6th and 11th in NYC
Band
One Dove
Book
The Usborne Spy’s Guidebook
Smell
My pillow
Movie
Pierrot le fou
Word
“Home”
Color
Blue
Super Hero
Sir Alex Ferguson
Website
www.aldaily.com (Arts and Letters Daily)
