Restrain
The advent of our life and its meaning has been largely based on our
actions and reactions. "Should we, Can we, Must we..." has become
predominated by our equation of action only towards economic gains and
maximum profitability.
This strive for life has afforded us with wealth and comfort; a
safety-net that offer us security both physically and psychologically.
We rest on these laurels of hope that our every little action reap
maximum financial harvest... yet doubt and render ourselves too minute
to help and lend a helping hand to make a difference to those suffering
next door.
We persevere to progress relentlessly in the face of terrorism, natural
disasters, human catastrophes, etc yet stand restrained by ourselves...
We watch and question "Why" at the same time recalling blessings, that
it's them not us!
Bob Lee Keng Siang is a photojournalist with a keen interest in people; his appreciation of the ordinary and his striking sense of empathy have enabled him to transform images of everyday life into insightful photographs. He has an acute sense for all things unusual. This trait -- honed over five years as a news photographer with the Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao and one and half years at my paper <<我报>> Singapore's first free chinese newspaper-- is apparent in his work.
Bob's images have caught the attention of many. His work was picked as the top Jurors' Choice in the recent Singapore Art Awards 2005. During the "ClickArt: World Photojournalists Meet" held in Singapore in 2003, he beat 200 over top photojournalists from 32 countries to clinch the top award in the "Behind the Scenes" category.
Bob's lens has illuminated numerous social issues that deserve our attention. In his most recent social documentary photographic exhibition " One Room Flat" held in December 2004, he offered an intimate look at the grim living conditions of one-room flat elderly dwellers, reminding Singaporeans of this group of poor, forgotten elderly living right within our community.
In 2003, he trained his lens on two lesser-known communities in Singapore and produced a fascinating insight to the close-knit communities of the Sikhs and Jews. That was his first solo exhibition, entitled "Have a Little Faith". It was sponsored by the Central Singapore Community Development Council and was exhibited in the Singapore History Museum .
He has since compiled selected works from the two above mentioned exhibitions and published two photography books.
