Singkarpor REMIXED

by AikBeng Chia

curated by John Tung

Date: 11 - 26 January 2025

Opening Hours:

11:00am - 7:00pm daily

Free admission

Location: 5 Lock Road, #01-06 Gillman Barracks, Singapore 108933

Drawing on this extensive archive, Singkarpor REMIXED employs the spirited scenes AikBeng Chia has captured to develop large-scale photographic collages. Blended with the artist’s own humorous style, the new works embody a country bustling with life and activity in each individual piece.

From popular tourist precincts such as Chinatown and Little India, to unsuspecting heartlands like Punggol and Sengkang, ABC’s no-holds-barred approach offers an unadulterated insight into the country.

Where the individual photographs in Singkarpor captured the feelings and atmosphere of particular moments, the collages of Singkarpor REMIXED offer a macro perspective - or zeitgeist - of life in the sprawling city. In the collages, no individual features as a minor character; their distinctiveness illuminates their wondrous and exciting lives.

For over 15 years, Singaporean photographer Aik Beng Chia (ABC) has been capturing the heartbeat of the nation through his iconic street photography. Singkarpor REMIXED takes this journey a step further, presenting a series of large-scale photographic collages that reimagine Singapore's vibrant streets and diverse communities.

Blending humor, candid moments, and the unmistakable energy of the city, ABC's new works move beyond individual snapshots to offer a panoramic, macro view of life in Singapore. From the bustling districts of Chinatown and Little India to the quiet corners of heartland neighbourhoods like Punggol and Sengkang, Singkarpor REMIXED reflects the evolving urban landscape while honouring the distinctiveness of its people.

Each collage encapsulates the zeitgeist of Singapore—a place where cultures converge, traditions intermingle, and life unfolds in ways both ordinary and extraordinary. In ABC's vision, no one is a minor character. Every face, every scene shines with the uniqueness and vibrancy that define this island nation.

Drawing from his extensive archive, ABC has woven together moments of joy, contemplation, and everyday resilience, celebrating the richness of Singapore's multicultural identity. Through these works, he offers an unfiltered glimpse into the soul of a country constantly in flux, while preserving the essence of its spirit and its people.

Welcome to Singkarpor REMIXED—a love letter to Singapore, told through the lens of one of its most passionate chroniclers.

About the artist: AikBeng Chia

Aik Beng Chia is a celebrated photographer and visual artist from Singapore. His work is distinguished by its vibrant and dynamic portrayal of urban life that focuses on capturing the essence of everyday moments, often highlighting the interplay of light, shadow, and colour to transform mundane scenes into visually striking compositions.

ABC, as he is popularly known, is the creator of "Tonight the Streets are Ours" and "SingKarPor," along with many acclaimed zines since 2010. He's collaborated with notable brands such as Apple, Leica, and Singapore Tourism Board. His internationally recognized works have been both exhibited and published.

Chia's work invites viewers to see the beauty in the ordinary and appreciate the overlooked aspects of daily life. His photography is a testament to his ability to find and create art in the everyday, making him a significant figure in the world of photography.

About the curator: John Z.W. Tung

John Z.W. Tung is an independent curator and exhibition-maker. To date, his close work with artists has realised more than 50 artwork commissions and site-specific adaptations ranging from the minute to monumental.

Serving as a co-curator for the Singapore Biennale 2016 and Singapore Biennale 2019, three of the artwork commissions he curated were finalists for the Benesse Prize, with one work winning the prestigious award. His recent appointments as an independent curator include Festival Curator for the 7th & 8th Singapore International Photography Festival (2020 & 2022) and Associate Curator for the Open House programme, For the House; Against the House (2021, 2022 & 2023), and The Forest Institute, a large-scale architectural art installation dedicated to secondary forest ecologies.

In 2023, he was the recipient of the inaugural Tan Boon Hui Curatorial Prize.

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Through Our Eyes
Community Collage Feature

In light of SG60, Singkarpor REMIXED invites visitors to contribute to the "Through Our Eyes" at SingKarPor REMIXED that captures the diverse and vibrant spirit of Singapore! Share your photos, symbols, and phrases that represent Singapore to you.

This collaborative artwork highlights the essence of community and connection, allowing visitors to witness a constantly changing mosaic that mirrors Singapore's multicultural identity and our stories.

Please kindly submit by 27 Dec 2024 to be featured and credited in a collective artwork within Singkarpor REMIXED during Singapore Art Week 2025.