Chinatown, Uncovered

MUCH HAS BEEN documented about Chinatown and its heritage, from its old buildings to its various sights and sounds. But a new photo collective seeks to show a different perspective - about the people, their stories and the smaller moments of everyday life that otherwise go unnoticed.

The Asia Photo Collective pools the work of like-minded photographers, photojournalists and artists based in Asia but primarily in Singapore. It was started by Meera Jane Navaratnam, a digital consultant who originally wanted to organise an exhibition of her favourite street photographers' works, and was inspired to take her own photos in the process. As people showed interest in buying the photos, the collective was born - to showcase the works of the photographers looking to capture the real stories of Asia beyond the touristy Westernised view.

The Chinatown photos are part of a broader series on Singapore that will go on show in the collective's first exhibition at Ultra Super New Gallery in Rowell Road. Says Ms Navaratnam: "I love Chinatown. I live close to it and have a tendency to go on random walks to clear my mind, or gain some inspiration for work. However, the people, the quiet moments of family, silence, calm and the tenacity of the people that live there are phenomenal. They're inspiring, funny, secretive, sad at times, and show you the strength of the human spirit in Singapore."