Time waits for no man, which is why self-taught photographer Lui Hock Seng is only debuting his work 60 years after he first picked up the hobby. Titled Passing Time, this upcoming show presented at Objectifs will be Lui’s first solo exhibition, and will showcase more than 30 black and white photographs of Singapore from the 1950s to 1970s.
His foray into photography started in the 1950s, comprising largely of streetscapes, portraits, architecture and industry. Then, Lui would document daily life at the Teochew Market at Clarke Quay, or the river by Merdeka Bridge, where he cycled past on the way to work. Today, the 80-year-old works as an office cleaner in the day, but continues photographing the city he grew up in.
While he never monetized his keen eye, Lui has taken part in photo competitions over the years, winning awards like an Associateship with the Amateur Royal Photographic Society (ARPS) of Great Britain in 1963. Other times, he worked part-time as an event photographer for weddings, dinners and funerals in the 60s.
If you’d like to go behind the eyes and lenses of a senior shutterbug, the exhibition will take place from Feb 8-Mar 11, 2018 at Lower Gallery, Objectifs (155 Middle Road). Exhibition prints will be on sale, and you can even meet the man himself at an exclusive artist talk on Feb 10.
Chase your dreams, young’ns, and don’t use “time” as an excuse not to. Lui Hock Seng is living proof you’ve got all the time in the world.
