Stefen Chow

Chow frequently collaborates with economist Hui-Yi Lin using extensive data and research to produce long term visual projects. One of their prominent projects is “The Poverty Line", a visual project that contextualizes global poverty. The Museum of Contemporary Photography in Chicago and the Central Academy of Fine Arts Museum in Beijing has acquired works to their permanent collection.

• Name — Stefen Chow • Native Name — 赵峰 • Born — 1980 • Birthplace — Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia • Occupation — Photographer, artist • Known for — Portraits, "The Poverty Line" project • Education — National University of Singapore • Website — Official website

Stefen Chow graduated from Temasek Junior College before pursuing tertiary education in the National University of Singapore (NUS). Subsequently, Stefen Chow was tasked with the role of being the team's photographer for the National University of Singapore (NUS) Centennial Everest Team in 2002–05. After the team successfully summited Mount Everest in 2005, Chow decided to shoot professionally after meeting New York based UN photographer John Isaac and getting a positive review of his portfolio. In 2007, Chow left for New York City to assist professional photographers and take classes at the International Center of Photography. He studied under photographer Amy Arbus, daughter of Dianne Arbus. Chow also attended the Eddie Adams Workshop. He shifted to Beijing in 2008 and has been based there since.

Using data and extensive research, Chow's works take social and economic themes and translate them into visual art.

The Poverty Line is an ongoing project which began in China in 2010 and has since expanded to 28 countries across 6 continents. The Poverty Line uses food as a base to examine the choices a person living at the poverty line would face. Chow is the co-creator of the project together with Hui-Yi Lin, an economist. The project has been featured by multiple international print and online publications and exhibited as large scale installations in many prominent galleries and institutions.

Equivalence is a project which talks about the tensions between a need and a want, from the haves and the have-nots. By comparing the value between a luxury item over a daily necessity, the project aims to invoke the question of equality in the viewer's mind.

The Play Project is an aerial survey of 100 playgrounds spread across Singapore, which are then arranged and according to the subway map of the city on its website. The project was supported by the SG50 celebration fund. Photographed using a drone, the aerial view of playgrounds in Singapore is visually stunning, allowing viewers to see the playgrounds in Singapore in a new light. According to the research done by Stefen Chow and his collaborator Lin Hui Yi, there are about 1500 playgrounds in Singapore and this project has chosen 100 public playgrounds across Singapore to feature.

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2015 “deTour”, PMQ, Hong Kong 2015 “L’exposition MONEY – Les Nuits Photographiques”, Le Pavillon Carré de Baudouin, Paris 2015 “Second Photo Biennial – Unfamiliar Asia”, CAFA Museum, Beijing 2015 “The Poverty Line”, Studio 94, Taipei 2012 “Caochangdi PhotoSpring: Arles in Beijing”, Three Shadows Gallery, Beijing 2012 "3D in 4 Continents", Arts House, Singapore 2011 “The Poverty Line – China", Newton Circus, Singapore 2006 “Climbing the Human Spirit – an Everest Journey”, The National Library, Singapore

2015 “Observations of the Ordinary by Chow3”, ION Art gallery, Singapore 2015 “Picturing Change: Visual Culture and the Art of Advocacy”, White Box Publika, Malaysia 2013 “WYNG Masters Award”, Artistree, Hong Kong 2013 “China Stories”, Museum of Modern Art, Tbilisi, Georgia 2012 “Transience”, China House, Penang 2011 “Moment of Recognition”, International Center of Photography, New York 2011 “Photography Open Salon”, Galerie Huit, Arles 2009 “Prix de la Photographie”, Espace Dupon Gallery, Paris 2009 “Life and Dreams – Pingyao International Photography Festival”, China 2006 “Ngee Ann Photographic Exhibition”, Singapore 2005 “HYPE”, The Arts House, Singapore

2015 Nikon Photography Awards, Shanghai 2015 LIGHT & LIFE, National Geographic Live and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 2015 Light in Your Heart, Shin Kong Insurance, Taiwan 2014 Head of Jury, Crowbar Awards, Photography, Singapore 2013 Nikon Photography Awards, Tokyo 2013–2015 Photography Director and Jury, The Other Hundred, Hong Kong 2006 – 2016 The Noise Award, National Arts Council, Singapore

2015 Picturing Poverty Conference, University of Sciences Po, Paris 2015 BODW, Hong Kong 2015 TEDxKyoto, Kyoto 2015 TEDxTaipei, Taipei 2015 LIGHT & LIFE, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 2015 National Taiwan University, Taiwan 2014 APEC Women Leadership Summit, Beijing 2014 TEDxKL, Kuala Lumpur 2012 Global Talent Search, TED @ Shanghai 2012 School of Visual Arts 2008 TEDxBeijing, Beijing