vinceat852

I'll try to fit as much as I can here, but being 3-dimensional about myself in this limited space would be quite hard. So, I will only talk about my work:

Philosophically, I normally have two main purposes in making art: One, to show people what I see by creating pathos; or Two, to convey a message or a raise a question. Titles and descriptions are usually pretty important in each, as they give a context and narrow the ways in which the piece can be interpreted. In short, I make art so that people can peer at that slice of the world through my view, my worldview.

Because the driving force of my art is as such, I do not subscribe to the idea that art pieces are divorced from their artists, as it is the artist who made it with a purpose. However, I do see how an art piece can be the starting point for discussion because of a possible interpretation. As a viewer, I hope you take this into consideration by respecting the initial purpose of a particular piece of work. On a whole though, should it inspire you or cause reflection in any way; however contrary to my original idea, it still makes me glad.

For me, photography is taking something that is very real, and showing parts of it. Reality is multi-layered and seen through personal filters. Thus, I like likening photography to looking at facets or a particular facet of a diamond-- each unique, each just as real. I like to show people what I notice in that objective reality, what is my way of viewing life. Art is the way I dialogue with and try to let people connect with me. It is also my way of making different facets of reality interact with each other.

In terms of a medium, the popular perception of photography is that shows reality. Hence, we have the phrase “photos or it didn’t happen”. The power in a photo is that while I can sculpt it to show my view of reality, it is still instinctively recognized as reality and not just “what the artist sees” or imagines. There is a deeply rooted conviction that photos are real/show reality literally. Thus, I can communicate my worldview as I experience it – as Reality.

Because of this perception of photography, I do use post processing – but I never Photoshop elements in or out of my photos or airbrush images. For me, that detracts from my body of work in general. Yes, compositionally, it would be much better, but it would be one degree removed from reality and would break the trust with my viewers and dampen the power of my other pieces.
In terms of my major technique or thought-process, I would liken myself to a landscape designer. That is to say, I tend to have a deconstructionist-reconstructionist streak in my work. I take thematic elements in a photo and spatially juxtapose them in such a way to convey an idea. Sometimes it is ambiguous and embrace that – life is ambiguous and I like exploring where the two valid realities clash. I sometimes raise questions, rather than state ideas.

So there I am (in relation to photography). I'm currently trying to improve and develop my own style, to show and not just visually blurt out what I've to say. So, it'd be much appreciated if you'd stop and drop me a comment on what's off and what'd I hit right on the head (or thereabouts).
I do write poems occasionally, sometimes to go with a piece or independently. My approach to literature is also very much the same as to photography.

Thanks!

Vincent Wong
(pyroenthusiast, theologian-to-be, photographer, sabreur, friend, brother, son, student, hobbyist and person)
[last edit: 7 Jan 2013]

Profile Photo creds: Benedict Au