In March 2017, NEPN and the University of Sunderland welcomed Singaporean artist Song-Nian Ang to Sunderland to undertake a residency at the Northern Centre of Photography.
Hanging Heavy on My Eyes (Sunderland) by Ang-Song Nian, installed at the Priestman Gallery
In March 2017, NEPN and the University of Sunderland welcomed Singaporean artist Song-Nian Ang to Sunderland to undertake a residency at the Northern Centre of Photography.
Song-Nian developed an iteration of his project Hanging Heavy on my Eyes which explores the visualisation of air pollution, using the daily average recordings of particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) over a period of time to inform the production of silver gelatin prints, with each work responding to an individual day’s statistics. In Singapore the work recalls the artist’s experience of discomfort and the unease of reduced visibility, the abstract nature of the work both referencing the hidden impact of forest fires and the ‘haze’ caused by this.
With access to the black and white darkrooms and a De Vere 508H enlarger at the centre, Song Nian produced 12 new works which were shown in an exhibition at the Priestman Building, from 27 March -28 April 2017.
Song-Nian’s visit was supported by Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), University of Sunderland and Arts Council England.
Bio:
Song-Nian Ang (b. 1983, Singapore) works with found materials and traces of human behaviour, seeking to make them visible through photographic documentations and installation. Intrigued by the representation of thoughts and ideologies through visuals, he employs a microscopic approach to concepts and narration. His recent exhibitions include Hanging Heavy on my Eyes, presented at DECK as part of the Singapore Biennale 2016 (https://deck.sg/), Unearthed at the Singapore Art Museum, Engaging Perspectives at the Centre for Contemporary Art (Singapore). He has exhibited in the Photo Espana Festival (Spain), Lianzhou International Photo Festival (China), Dali International Photo Festival (China), Gallery Jinsun (Seoul, South Korea), Hanmi Gallery (London) and the Institut d’Estudis Ilerdencs (Lleida, Spain).
Song-Nian’s works has been awarded the Winner for Photography in the Noise Singapore 2012, selected for the top 30 finalists in the Sovereign Asian Art Prize in both 2011 and 2014, eCrea Award (Spain, 2010) and honourable mentions in Magenta Foundation Flash Forward (UK, 2010) and Association of Photographers Awards (UK, 2010). In 2012, he was awarded the International Graduate Scholarship for his graduate studies at the London College of Communication, University of the Arts London. Song Nian is represented by 2902 Gallery.