WHO
Stefen Chow.
Born Malaysia. Raised Singapore. Lives in Beijing.
WHAT
Photographer/Visual Artist with a contemporary approach for social issues and trends.
WHEN
10 years ago. When I summited Mount Everest, I was the team’s photographer and I saw the power of the medium.
WHERE
I have lived in Singapore, New York and now Beijing. My work has been exhibited in Paris, Hong Kong and Tblisi.
WHY
Everyone has a camera now. Photography has become the lingua franca in the world now. Don’t you think?
DESCRIBE YOUR PRACTICE IN THREE WORDS:
Rethink. Reflect. Repeat.
WHERE DO YOU GO, OR WHAT DO YOU DO, WHEN YOU GET STUCK ON A PROJECT?
I go for a run. I stay near the forbidden city in Beijing, and I have done the 5km loop multiple times. It keeps my mind fresh.
NAME A BOOK YOU THINK EVERY CREATIVE SHOULD READ.
Outliers by Malcom Gladwell.
WHAT DESIGN TOOL CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT?
Camera. Preferably a Nikon.
WHAT PROJECT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
The Poverty Line. It is an examination of global poverty through economics, food choices and photography. We started in 2010 and have photographed the project in 28 countries and growing.
HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE CREATIVITY?
Different. With meaning.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON CURRENTLY?
The series called Equivalence, an ongoing series that uses empirical investigation of observable phenomena to address global issues of our time. We are slated for a solo exhibition at Objectifs in Singapore in 2017.
IF YOU COULD INVITE ANY ARTIST/DESIGNER/CREATIVE OUT FOR COFFEE, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND WHY?
Rei Kawakubo, the designer of Comme des Garcons. She is a legend for design and creativity all around.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT THE CITY THAT YOU LIVE IN?
Tension. It is constantly changing; there are good things bad things. If you stand still, life passes you. That is Beijing.