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Stefen Chow (Chinese: 赵峰; born 1980, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) a Malaysian photographer and artist based in Beijing, China. His work is widely published and exhibited internationally. In 2013, Chow's portrait of iconic Chinese artist and activist Ai Wei Wei was awarded at the World Press Photo.[1] Chow frequently collaborates with economist Hui-Yi Lin[2] using extensive data and research to produce long term visual projects. One of their prominent projects is “The Poverty Line",[3] a visual project that contextualizes global poverty. The Museum of Contemporary Photography in Chicago[4] and the Central Academy of Fine Arts Museum in Beijing has acquired works to their permanent collection.
Stefen Chow | |
|---|---|
| 赵峰 | |
| Born | 1980 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Nationality | Malaysian |
| Alma mater | National University of Singapore |
| Occupation(s) | Photographer, Artist |
| Known for | Portraits, "The Poverty Line" project |
| Website | Official website |
Stefen Chow graduated from Temasek Junior College before pursuing tertiary education in the National University of Singapore (NUS). Subsequently, Stefen Chow was tasked with the role of being the team's photographer for the National University of Singapore (NUS) Centennial Everest Team in 2002–05. After the team successfully summited Mount Everest in 2005,[5][6][7] Chow decided to shoot professionally after meeting New York based UN photographer John Isaac and getting a positive review of his portfolio.[8]
In 2007, Chow left for New York City to assist professional photographers and take classes at the International Center of Photography.[8] He studied under photographer Amy Arbus,[9] daughter of Dianne Arbus. Chow also attended the Eddie Adams Workshop.[10] He shifted to Beijing in 2008 and has been based there since.
Using data and extensive research, Chow's works take social and economic themes and translate them into visual art.
The Poverty Line
The Poverty Line is an ongoing project which began in China in 2010 and has since expanded to 28 countries across 6 continents. The Poverty Line uses food as a base to examine the choices a person living at the poverty line would face. Chow is the co-creator of the project together with Hui-Yi Lin, an economist.
The project has been featured by multiple international print and online publications[11][12][13][14][15] and exhibited as large scale installations in many prominent galleries and institutions.[16][17][18][19]
Equivalence
Equivalence is a project which talks about the tensions between a need and a want, from the haves and the have-nots. By comparing the value between a luxury item over a daily necessity, the project aims to invoke the question of equality in the viewer's mind.[20]
The Play Project
The Play Project is an aerial survey of 100 playgrounds spread across Singapore, which are then arranged and according to the subway map of the city on its website. The project was supported by the SG50 celebration fund. Photographed using a drone, the aerial view of playgrounds in Singapore is visually stunning, allowing viewers to see the playgrounds in Singapore in a new light. According to the research done by Stefen Chow and his collaborator Lin Hui Yi, there are about 1500 playgrounds in Singapore and this project has chosen 100 public playgrounds across Singapore to feature.[21][22][23]
 | This section may contain an excessive amount of intricate detail that may interest only a particular audience. (October 2024) |
Selected solo exhibitions
2015 “deTour”, PMQ, Hong Kong[24]
2015 “L’exposition MONEY – Les Nuits Photographiques”, Le Pavillon Carré de Baudouin, Paris[17]
2015 “Second Photo Biennial – Unfamiliar Asia”, CAFA Museum, Beijing[18]
2015 “The Poverty Line”, Studio 94, Taipei[25][26]
2012 “Caochangdi PhotoSpring: Arles in Beijing”, Three Shadows Gallery, Beijing[16][27]
2012 "3D in 4 Continents", Arts House, Singapore[28]
2011 “The Poverty Line – China", Newton Circus, Singapore[29]
2006 “Climbing the Human Spirit – an Everest Journey”, The National Library, Singapore[30]
Selected group exhibitions
2015 “Observations of the Ordinary by Chow3”, ION Art gallery, Singapore[31]
2015 “Picturing Change: Visual Culture and the Art of Advocacy”, White Box Publika, Malaysia[32]
2013 “WYNG Masters Award”, Artistree, Hong Kong[33]
2013 “China Stories”, Museum of Modern Art, Tbilisi, Georgia
2012 “Transience”, China House, Penang[34]
2011 “Moment of Recognition”, International Center of Photography, New York[9]
2011 “Photography Open Salon”, Galerie Huit, Arles[35]
2009 “Prix de la Photographie”, Espace Dupon Gallery, Paris[36]
2009 “Life and Dreams – Pingyao International Photography Festival”, China
2006 “Ngee Ann Photographic Exhibition”, Singapore
2005 “HYPE”, The Arts House, Singapore
Jury duty
2015 Nikon Photography Awards, Shanghai[37]
2015 LIGHT & LIFE, National Geographic Live and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore[38]
2015 Light in Your Heart, Shin Kong Insurance, Taiwan
2014 Head of Jury, Crowbar Awards, Photography, Singapore [39]
2013 Nikon Photography Awards, Tokyo [40]
2013–2015 Photography Director and Jury, The Other Hundred, Hong Kong [41]
2006 – 2016 The Noise Award, National Arts Council, Singapore [42]
Talks
2015 Picturing Poverty Conference, University of Sciences Po, Paris[43]
2015 BODW, Hong Kong[44]
2015 TEDxKyoto, Kyoto[45]
2015 TEDxTaipei, Taipei[46]
2015 LIGHT & LIFE, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore[38]
2015 National Taiwan University, Taiwan
2014 APEC Women Leadership Summit, Beijing[47]
2014 TEDxKL, Kuala Lumpur[48]
2012 Global Talent Search, TED @ Shanghai[49]
2012 School of Visual Arts
2008 TEDxBeijing, Beijing[50]
Awards
2015 Outstanding Alumni, Temasek Junior College, Singapore[51]
2014 Nominated, Young Global Leaders, World Economic Forum
2013 2nd Prize, World Press Photo, Amsterdam[1]
2013 Nominated, Prix Pictet, Switzerland
2013 Finalist, WYNG Contemporary Art Prize, Hong Kong[33]
2013 Winner, AI-PI, Latin American Fotografia[52]
2011 Grand Prize, Arles Open Photography Salon, Galerie Huit, Arles[53]
2010 1st Prize, Shipyards, Advertising, PX3, Paris[36]
2010 Winner, World in Focus, National Geographic, New York
2010 Honorable Prize, China Workers, Px3, Paris
2009 3rd Prize, Photojournalism, Sports, PX3, Paris[54]
2008 Winner, Eddie Adams Workshop, New York
2008 Winner, PDN Billboard Contest, New York
2008 Honorable Mention, International Photo Awards, New York
2008 Singapore Hero, Fortis, Singapore
2007 Young Outstanding Alumni, National University of Singapore[55]
2006 Named Asia's Finest Photographers, Nikon
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