Glassy Sunset, Time is a Dimension (2013)
Fong Qi Wei is based in Singapore
and has been using photography as a medium for his art for over 10 years.
Strongly believing that print is the final point of an artistic process, he is
now actively involved in printmaking to achieve the final vision for his art.
He has produced many series of photographs, many of which have received
critical acclaim; especially his series entitled Exploded Flowers. Qi Wei’s work has been featured in The New York Times Magazine, Boston Globe and Colossal, and these are only the very tip of the iceberg. His
latest series, Time is a Dimension,
continues to push the boundaries of photography as an art form.
When did you first take up photography?
I only took up photography about 11
or 12 years ago. But I became more involved in the equally important process of
printmaking 2 to 3 years back.
Where do you get your inspiration?
No particular place, I am afraid. The
best answer I can give is that I like to be curious about anything and most
things. With time, interesting ideas are bound to collide and come to life.
What are your favourite things to photograph?
I like land and cityscapes and
still life, just to name a few. However, if I have a message I feel strong
enough about I will look at how to use photography to convey it, regardless of
how much I like something.
Pearls Centre Sunset, Time is a Dimension (2013)
Changi Beach Sunrise, Time is a Dimension (2013)
Of all your works, which are your personal favourites?
I have no personal favourites- most
of my works have been developed over a fairly long period of time, so I feel
connected to all of them.
My series Exploded Flowers have taught me a valuable lesson though- you do
not need to go somewhere isolated or fancy just to make art or take good
photographs.
Sometimes the best things are right
under our noses, just waiting to be seen in a different way.
Gerbera Exploded, Exploded Flowers (2011)
Hydrangea Exploded, Exploded Flowers (2011)
What do you hope to convey through your photographs?
For Time is a Dimension, it is to
let my audience be aware that our experiences and scenes we see are more than a
snapshot. Too many people in this age of camera phones are caught up in getting
'that perfect shot', when the experiences of change and time could be much
richer.
Kite Flying at West Coast (Sunset), Time is a Dimension (2013)
National Day Preview 02, Time is a Dimension (2013)
What advice do you have for aspiring photographers?
Keep practising, and always be
curious! And- make a print, do not let your
images live only in disk drives and the Internet. We are all physical
creatures after all, not virtual ones.
Find Qi Wei here: fqwimages.com
