Written by: Tang Kai Xian

Organised by the Photographic Society of Singapore, the 69th Singapore International Photography Awards (SIPA) 2022 features photographs from 6 themes - Open Monochrome, Open Colour, Street, People, Nature, Travel. In total, local and international photographers submitted 5546 photographs. About 25% were selected. Of which, 145 awards and a FIAP (International Federation of Photographic Art) blue pin were given out.

SIPA is conferred to the photographer who accumulated the greatest number of points across the 6 themes. In case of a tie, the photographer who won the most and with the highest position of awards will be declared the winner. The breakdown of points are as follows: Gold Medal - 5 pts, Silver Medal - 4 pts, Bronze Medal - 3 pts, Honor Mention - 2 pts, Acceptance - 1 pt. This year's winner is Au Yuen Yam from Hong Kong. The photographer scored 26 points with a Dr Gibson Hill Memorial Gold Medal, a FIAP Gold Medal, a GPU (Global Photographic Union), a PSS (Photographic Society of Singapore) Honour Mention and 11 acceptances across the 6 categories.

Among this year’s awardees, 7 are local photographers, including Chin Foo See. His photograph of Jurong Fishery Port C4 was awarded the PSA (Photographic Society of America) Honourable Mention. His image captures the underappreciated behind-the-scenes work that feeds Singapore. Singapore’s reputation is more commonly associated with being a top financial hub, high-tech, etc. Such scenes of blue-collar work, especially those who work odd hours, are often restricted to the background. Therefore, Foo See’s photograph brings to light the laborious and smelly work that constitutes the backbone of our economy.

You can appreciate his work and 98 others at the Loke Wan Tho Gallery at Selegie Arts Centre from 11 December 2022 to 8 January 2023. Admission is free.

Find out more about the exhibition here: https://www.pss1950.org/events/