SEAN LEE - Singapore

WHY PHOTOGRAPHY. WHAT WERE THE CHOICES YOU MADE THAT LEAD YOU DOWN THIS ROAD?
Art has always been an interest of mine and I've always been inspired by my father who dabbles in Chinese painting. However, the structure of Singaporean education never permitted me the chance to explore this avenue, eventually culminating in my making some pretty unorthodox decisions when I came to a major crossroads in my life: instead of taking the traditional path and entering university, I took up a photography workshop instead. And that's when my affair with the lens really started to take-off.

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON NOW THAT'S TURNING YOU ON?
I've been working with my alter ego, a transsexual named Shauna, creating a series of photographs that chronicle her daily existence. At the same time, as I'm taking pictures of myself as someone else, the subtlety of the series lies in the fact that I'm also chronicling the experience of being her. I am both behind the lens and in front of the lens, resulting in something that is at once both theatrical and deeply personal. I have to admit that it gets pretty confusing sometimes, but, right now, Shauna is one of the most important persons in my life.

WHAT'S YOUR SCENE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO GIVE IT A JOLT?
Some galleries have expressed interest in my work, and I was recently represented by a gallery in Hong Kong. Tableau photography is certainly beginning to make waves in the sphere of photography, and I suspect that this would largely be because galleries, as well as art patrons, find this form of expression to be a refreshing and welcome change that deviates from the usual.

HOW DOES PHOTOGRAPHY INSPIRE YOU?
Photography gives me the opportunity to be somebody else, allowing me to do things I've always been afraid to do. As I'm in absolute control of both the subject and the eventual result, restrictions do not exist for me. The boundaries that permeate my everyday life are pushed to the extremes in my photography.



DESCRIBE YOUR GENERATION.
My generation is one that does not enjoy being bound by rules: we are constantly challenging traditional structures with new and exciting developments in art, fashion and music. Interestingly enough, however, we also find comfort in being identifiable by our brand of prescribed unconventionality. I suppose classification is unavoidable, even amongst those who appear to struggle against them.

WHAT BRANDS DO YOU ADMIRE AND WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO WORK WITH?
Any of the major sports brands. The photography that is associated with them is always vivacious and alive. Much like my own work, these images ooze a perpetual dynamism, representing a moment that hints at the dichotomy of being both pre-planned and spontaneous.

HOW DO YOU PROMOTE YOURSELF?
Largely by word of mouth and involvement in large-scale photography festivals in and outside of Asia, such as the Singapore International Photography Festival and the Ang Kor Photography Festival.

WHAT'S THE FUTURE OF PHOTOGRAPHY?
I believe that the future of photography in Asia is reflected by the region's changing landscapes: just as emerging Asian cities, such as Shanghai and Bangkok, are constantly modernizing their cityscapes and introducing elements that mirror what the future of architecture and modes of living will probably be like, photographers, too, will push the boundaries and bring Asian photography to a whole new level that continues to embrace that unique Asian flavor, but infuses it with a generous dosage of contemporary awareness.

CONTACT ARTISTS: AWE5OME

WEBSITE: METHOD PHOTOGRAPHY