“Nation Work In Progress” is a photographic project in celebration of Singapore’s 50th anniversary (SG50) as well as of the people who have worked hard and contributed to our nation. Over the years, Singapore has prospered economically and we have grown stronger as a nation – fostering a stronger bond between our people regardless of race or religion. In line with the nation’s efforts to promote inclusiveness and unity in diversity, this project is targeted at both local and foreign talents who have played an important role in shaping our nation.We do not limit our nation to only people of our nationality i.e. Singaporean. As such, regardless of their class of work, this project will showcase people of various professions. Nation Work in Progress is a project that, as the title would reveal, an ongoing progress. Nicole Quek
MAX LIM MC DONALD’S DELIVERY SERVICE
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HAMZA YUSUF VALET ATTENDANT AT THE FULLERTON HOTEL
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LORRAINE KOH BOOK AUTHOR
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HAN FU CHEN (CHINA) CLEANER
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Z.W TAN K.C LEONG OFFICER & WARRANT OFFICER OF THE SINGAPORE ARMED FORCES
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CHOO SOOT ANN RICKSHAW DRIVER
16
CINDY TAN AIR STEWARDESS OF SINGAPORE AIRLINES
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SIM BOON HWA CHIEF BUS CAPTAIN
20
CHARLIE OASAN (PHILIPPINES) PRIEST
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KHALIDI KHAIRON FIRE FIGHTER AT CENTRAL FIRE STATION
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ISIDRO RAMIREZ (SPAIN) PHOTOGRAPHER EDUCATOR
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SWARAN SINGH DOORMAN AT RAFFLES HOTEL
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ZHEN ZHU NEWSPAPER DISTRIBUTOR
30
BERTRAND LEE FILM DIRECTOR
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THOMAS TOH PILOT
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BENSON KOH POLICE OFFICER OF THE SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
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PAULINE CHOO SALES PERSON AT DUTY FREE
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HAZMI ARIS PARAMEDIC
40
DAVID QUEK FORMER NATIONAL RUGBY UNION TEAM CAPTAIN
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MARY THOMAS SENIOR LECTURER AT TEMASEK POLYTECHNIC
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ANG AIK KOON KEYSMITH
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DZUL ADLY DHL DELIVERY
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YEO LEONG ICE-CREAM & DRINKS VENDOR
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ROSIHAN DAHIM SURREALISM ARTIST
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AMIRUL RIDIQEL MOFL SAZAR DASS RADAO ALI (BANGLADESH) GRASS CUTTERS
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Macdonald’s Delivery Drivers
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Valet Attendants
With your convenience, they deliver your
Providing a pleasant valet parking experience
meals 24 hours round the clock right at your
for customers, they anticipate the needs
doorstep, making sure you’re lovin’ it.
of every customer and look to exceed their expectations with each interaction. They maintain a positive attitude at all times.
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Book Authors
145,700
Cleaners
They are unique as they consists of the
From all races and citizenships, these
country’s 4 main languages: English,
people help keep our country clean and
Mandrin, Tamil and Malay. It also portrays
green. Singapore is one of the few cleanest
various aspects of society and forms a
countries in the world.
significant part of the culture of Singapore.
1.200
Officers of SAF
300
Rickshaw Drivers
These men are the backbone of the Singapore
Rickshaws were an integral part of the city’s
Armed Forces operational and training units
transportation in the past. Now it is a form of
to develop key competencies in leadership,
sightseeing for foreigners.
tactical warfighting expertise and front-end training supervision.
7,800
Air Steward & Stewardess
Bus Drivers
They have served us around the world with
With high demands of bus services, these
smiles and ensures our comfort. They have
men always greet us with a smile onboard.
made Singapore Airlines the world’s best
We also have one of the most efficient
airlines and its’ service.
transport system in the world.
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1,800
Diocesan and Religious Priests
Fire Fighters
They share their experience and spread the
These brave and efficient fire fighters risk
love of God to the small catholic community
their lives everyday to save lives and property
in Singapore. They shower us with the many
for a safe and secure Singapore.
blessings and some protect us from evil.
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3,500
35
Photography Educators
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Newspaper Distributors
With them, many young ones with passion
Without them, we would not recieve everyday
get to learn more of the arts of photography
news. They play a part in keeping busy
through those with years of expierence. They
Singaporeans updated with the current
help expand the arts scene and talent locally.
issues all over the island.
2,300
38,600
Pilots
Policemen
They have flew us around the world safely
In this dynamic and rapidly changing nation,
and with class. They have made Singapore
the Singapore Police Force’s core function
Airlines the world’s best.
is to protect the people from all manner of criminal harm. Singapore is one of the safest country thanks to the best security we have.
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Paramedics
100
National Athletes
Paramedics are trained to provide
They have won medals for our nation over the
first-class pre-hospital care. They keep calm
years at the SEA Games, Olympics etc. These
and are quick to the victim’s injuries. They are
athletes have recorded history for us.
hope in times of distress and pain.
260,000
Teachers & Lecturers
350
Ice-Cream & Drink Vendors
Singapore’s education system is currently
With Singapore’s warm weather, these ice-
ranked 3rd in the world. With these teachers
cream and drink vendors are always around
and lecturers, they work hard keep students
the corner to quench your thirst or satisfy
up to date with skills and intelligence.
your cravings at a very cheap price from $1.
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2,500
Surrealism Artist
Grass Cutters
Rosihan is an award winning surrealism
Despite not being local, they do their best in
painter and he has made it big in the local
keeping the country’s garden neat and tidy
art scene. He is currently the only surrealism
under the scorching sun. Without them we
artist in Singapore.
would not have a nice and green city to live in.
TEAM #TPSG50
NICOLE QUEK (SINGAPORE)
TONI CUHADI (INDONESIA)
Nicole Quek, 20 - mixed Thai and Peranakan born in Singapore.
Toni started photography in 2009, photographing his friends,
Currently studying as a 3rd year in Temasek Polytechnic School of
family and events in his school.
Design, diploma in Visual Communication - Major in Photography.
Born in Indonesia and raised in Singapore, Toni grows passion in
Since 2011 till present, Nicole specialise in live music photography.
wedding journalism, narrative photography and travel.His personal
Having such passion, other than just concert photography she
style is narrative oriented and humanistic. He never stop at a
aims to gain experience at other aspects of photography.
frame; capturing little details alongside with portraits of people of the places and events he documents.
NATION WORK IN PROGRESS
IN THIS SPACE WE SHARE TOGETHER, TIME STOPS.
“Nation Work In Progress” is a photographic project in celebration
This project started out from an observation of our everyday
of Singapore’s 50th anniversary (SG50) as well as of the people who have worked hard and contributed to our nation. Over the years, Singapore has prospered economically and we have grown stronger as a nation – fostering a stronger bond between our people regardless of race or religion.
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interactions with each others. In ever-growing population of Singapore, together with her sparse amount of land, people work around this limitation and find way to interact and socialize with one another.
RUDY WONG (SINGAPORE)
Rudy Wong, a 19 year old student of Temasek Polytechnic School of Design, currently pursuing the Diploma in Visual Communication, majoring in photography. Drawn to the ordinaries of life, she has high interests in social documentary, and in capturing the human behaviour in everyday life. She also believes that the presence of humans define spaces in landscapes.
IN THE BOSOM
HDB towns create living environments that provide community spaces for residents to mingle and interact, which builds cohesive communities within its towns. It is our neighbourhood where we live, work, and play together, as a community, as Singaporeans.
CREDITS
SPECIAL THANKS TO ISIDRO RAMIREZ MAX LIM HAMZA YUSUF LORRAINE KOH HAN FU CHEN Z.W TAN K.C LEONG CHOO SOOT ANN CINDY TAN SIM BOON HWA FR. CHARLIE OASAN KHALIDI KHAIRON SWARAN SINGH ZHEN ZHU BERTRAND LEE THOMAS TOH
BENSON KOH PAULINE CHOO HAZMI ARIS DAVID QUEK MARY THOMAS ANG AIK KOON DZUL ADLY YEO LEONG ROSIHAN DAHIM AMIRUL RIDIQEL MOFL SAZAR DASS RADAO ALI
IN CELEBRATION OF
ORGANIZED BY
NICOLE QUEK PHOTOGRAPHY WWW.NICOLEQUEK.COM/ IMAGES © 2014 BY NICOLE QUEK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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