Singapore, 3 August 2005 In line with Singapores National Day and as part of Epsons ongoing corporate social responsibility programme, epSITE, Epson Imaging Gallery opened its doors today for an official launch of the "Aesthetically Yours, Singapore" photography exhibition. The exhibition is in appreciation of the beauty and joy of life in the heartland of Singapore.
Better known as a food photographer, Yim Chee Peng, once also a lawyer and corporate secretary, has been taking landscape photography of Singapore, despite the consensus among photographers that this is a no-go area because of the citys physical size, its monotonous tropical climate and lack of natural attractions such as mountains and waterfalls. However, Singapore is a well-built up city with what has been long recognized as world-class public housing, the (Housing & Development Board) HDB estates. But to many Singaporeans, the heartland is simply boring, monotonous and repetitive and is something one just has to put up with. This is akin to what William Barrett, Philosopher and Critic meant when he said, "it is usually the familiar that eludes us in life. What is before our nose is what we last see". Faced with this challenge, Yim has spent the past few years photographing and eliciting the beauty of the heartland. Many of the photographs in this exhibition represent his attempt to rekindle a fresh sensitivity in Singaporeans to the "beauty on their doorstep".
During the process, it dawned upon Yim that in all probability, the HDB estate is indeed a Singapore icon. This is an institution definitely peculiar to Singapore, all of our own making, and with its own connotations and associations. The photographs, which are highlighted in a romantic and humble style and produced dynamically with the richness and fullness of colour tones will surely reach and touch many viewers hearts. With Epson professional inkjet technology providing a wide colour gamut, a larger range of colours were available to help produce the prints to the highest standards possible and the final prints were captured with an exceptional rendition of colour. In addition, with the subtle humour embedded in some of the pictures, this exhibition is guaranteed to have a lasting effect upon its audience.
Working closely with the digital imaging consultants at epSITE, Yim has embraced technology and fully utilized what it can achieve. This exhibition is existent proof of how art can be integrated with technology to accomplish results beyond belief. Though he has been within the realms of film photography for the past three decades, making the transition to digital photography and imaging was not too daunting for him. It was Yim himself who mastered the knowledge and took full control on the turnout of his pictures - all at the touch of a mouse on a well-calibrated screen.
Mr Tan Haur, epSITE Manager said, Fully utilizing a wide spectrum of colours that completely supports the artists vision, Yim was able to obtain results that were once unthinkable to him. Achieving richer, true to life colours on print is no longer a far-fetched dream for him now. Indeed Epson has materialized what most would refer to as a union of art and technology at its best. The exhibition showcases 19 pieces of original prints and Epson is able to take the main source and create an original print through the development of high-resolution, premium-quality and outstanding output colour imaging products. The Epson Imaging Gallery celebrates the diversity of digital art and takes advantage of the powerful output that Epson professional graphics printers deliver.
"Every picture carries a story behind it. With the help of Epsons technology, I am able to convey my artistic emotions to the fullest through such exceptional print outputs, what more can an artist ask for?" added Yim.
The photographer, in his fifties, is not only exhibiting his images at epSITE, but is also publishing a coffee-table book entitled "Aesthetically Yours, Singapore". Besides photos of the Singapore icon, some old photographs of Singapore were added at the suggestion of the editor Ms. Ruth Creamer, thus making the book a record of the years around the change of the Millennium.
At the launch of this exhibition Mdm Goh Siam Kheng, a bus captain with the Singapores Bus Services, now known as SBS Transit Ltd, was presented with a book and a copy of one of the exhibits by Yim. "Mdm Goh, a public spirited Singaporean, in the course of her spare time, planted flowers and shrubs at the St. Michaels Interchange giving the station a friendlier and welcoming touch. And she has been doing this for the past five yearsit is only fair that we reciprocate and show our appreciation for her spontaneous contribution to society", said Yim.
The "Aesthetically Yours, Singapore" photography exhibition will run from 3 August until 18 September 2005 at epSITE, Epson Imaging Gallery located at Level Three, Wheelock Place. The gallery is open Monday Sunday (11am 9pm daily) and admission is free. For further information please contact the gallery on Tel: 6736 4986 or visitwww.epson.com.sg .
About Epson Singapore
Epson is the world's leader in digital imaging solutions as well as printer manufacturing. The company's Singapore operation is also the Regional Headquarters of Seiko Epson Corporation. The company markets and supports Epson printers, scanners, projectors, electronic devices including liquid crystal displays, semiconductors and system devices in the ASEAN, South Asia and Oceania territories (with exception to support for electronic devices in Oceania). Epson is dedicated to creating products for the home and business markets to meet consumer needs.
About Epson
The Epson Group increases its corporate value through its innovative and creative culture. Dedicated to providing its customers with digital image innovation, its main product lines comprise information-related equipment such as printers and projectors, electronic devices including displays, liquid crystal panels for projectors, semiconductors and quartz devices, and precision products such as watches. Epson products are known throughout the world for their superior quality, functionality, compactness and energy efficiency.
The Epson Group is a network of 84,899 employees in 110 companies around the world, and is proud of its ongoing contributions to the global environment and to the communities in which it is located. Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, which is listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the Group had consolidated sales of 1,413 billion yen in fiscal 2003.
