The Beginning: Neither notices the space growing between them.
TEXT & PHOTO: KANTAYA NEW
(For Thai, press here)
This series began at home: my husband was with me, but always on his phone. I felt the screen had taken my place. That feeling began A Modern Day Affair.
The work looks at how phones reshape relationships. Many images are self-portraits; others focus on small details—a cracked screen protector on a cake or notes on a door. Some moments are real; others are imagined but remain emotionally true.
In a clean, staged style, the photographs mix humor and sadness to show how people drift apart even when sitting side by side. I am not blaming phones; rather, I am asking how often we choose screens over connection without noticing.
Lighting, color, and composition add a surreal touch. The series is ongoing. Rooted in personal experience, it remains relatable. It is a reminder to look up and attend to one another.
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Kantaya New is a Thai Singaporean photo artist working across conceptual and street photography. Her street practice finds overlooked, serendipitous moments in daily life, while her conceptual work uses staged scenes and objects to invite reflection—often on how technology shapes relationships. Based in Singapore, she is finalizing A Modern Day Affair and developing new work.
Her work has been exhibited internationally and has received recognition in several renowned competitions such as LensCulture Critics’ Choice, Fujifilm Moment Street Photo Awards and Sony World Photography Awards.
kantayanew.com
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