I am very thrilled to announce that I’ll be holding my debut solo photo exhibition from the 7th of August to the 5th of November 2015.

Facade: The Back Alley Collective is a series of 13 photographs that aims to unwrap the all-is-well but superficial facade of contemporary Singapore, presenting a multi-layered examination that complicates the world’s perception of the city-state.

As the images explore local issues within a local context, I can’t think of a better place to exhibit than a hostel, where global audiences intersect, exchange stories, and explore our city-state. It will be held at Atelier@5footway.inn Project Bugis (10 Aliwal Street 199903, Nearest MRTs are Nicoll Highway & Bugis), and it’ll be open 24/7 for viewing.

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

In a global city where most things lack singularity, the back alleys of Singapore are distinct. Often overlooked, these neighborhood microcosms each possess unique personalities and features; the iconic green bins, the worn-down exteriors, and the people who use the alleys for a myriad of reasons. This hidden world alternates  between the dense, chaotic activity of trade and urban expansion, along with the little moments of simplicity and daily life.

While Singapore’s back alleys are rarely seen by the greater world, they hold within them the authentic, working-class roots of a rapidly changing country. Facade: The Back Alley Collective aims to capture the soul and essence of these ‘roads less traveled’, presenting a multi-layered examination that complicates the world’s perception of contemporary Singapore.

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[Update, 31st December 2015]

What Does The Press Say?

Grace Hong, ArtHop – “Lhu’s photographs endear viewers to the spaces without over-romanticising its gritty, raw charm.”

A-List, National Arts Council, Singapore – “(Lhu’s photographs) pays homage to the authentic working-class roots amidst a rapidly changing country.”

Moh Yuen, Former Lianhe Zaobao Journalist – “There’s room for improvement with regards to the photos, but the writing  (picture captions) is absolutely superb.”

Justin Lai, Student Journalist – “The back alleys in Lhu’s photographs each possess a personality unique to Singapore.”

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OPENING RECEPTION

I will be holding a reception on the 7th of August, from 5.30 – 9pm. There’ll be chips, cakes from Melvados, and Arizona Iced Tea for guests and visitors to enjoy.

Whether you’ve been following my blog since Day One or one day ago, I would love to meet you and thank you for your support. It’s the start of the long weekend, so please feel free to drop by and hang out over desserts should ya’ll be in the area.

Prints from the exhibition will be on sale throughout its entire duration.

Do follow me on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates!

TL;DR

Who: Me, Lhu Wen Kai
What: Facade: The Back Alley Collective (my debut solo photo exhibition)
When: Saturday, 8th August – Thursday, 5th November 2015 (Open for viewing 24/7)
Opening Reception: Friday, 7th August, 5.30pm to 9pm
Where: 10 Aliwal Street 199903 (Atelier @ 5footway.inn Project Bugis)
Nearest MRT: Bugis (10 mins), Nicoll Highway (5 mins)

If you have any questions, please email enquiries@lhuwenkai.com. I respond to my emails fairly quickly.

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It has been one heck of a journey thus far. On one hand, I made a lot of errors and learnt a lot, having to research and settle every aspect by myself; but on the other, the logistical nightmare and constant backlog of uncompleted tasks have been driving me crazy. Anyway, I’m glad the finishing line is within sight. The past few months had really taken its toll on me. I’m not exactly sure how I’ll proceed from here. Maybe I’ll take a long break from doing creative work. Maybe I’ll veer away from photography for awhile. Maybe I’ll come back to blogging. Who knows? Either way, I would like to thank ya’ll so much for being with me on this wonderful adventure for the past two years. Blogging has opened up many doors for me, and I look forward to greater things that await me.

For any advertising, photography/videography/graphic design assignments, sponsorships, or enquiries, please get in touch with me at collab@lhuwenkai.com

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