3 amazing people..

Whilst in Malaysia, I had the opportunity to photograph three simply amazing people, by chance.

Yvonne Foong 23, suffers from NF or neurofibromatosis Type 2, where benign tumours grow from her spine and in her brain, thus affecting her hearing and sight. Since 2002 she has has over 8 major surgeries to remove tumours in her spinal cord, and brain. She has published books and printed t-shirts, gave numerous talks and attended functions to raise money to pay for her surgeries in America. Yvonne has just completed the latest round of open brain surgery in May and will be seeking fund for another in 6 months time. Read her blog at www.yvonnefoong.com In my mind, she is one tough cookie! I bought a t-shirt.

January Low is what most consider 'gifted'. A child prodigy of sorts in the dance field. She is Ramli Ibrahim's protege for some 15 years, specialising in Indian Classical dance with the Sutra group. I met January in Singapore briefly over ice-tea by the Singapore Art Museum recently and got a few shots. She will be beginning a 6-month stint with a modern dance theater in South Korea soon, finally breaking off from Sutra to discover new realms in dance.




A meeting with Nathaniel Tan was purely by chance. He turned up as a visitor at the KL Photoawards 2009 finalists exhibition at The Annexe Gallery. I made an introduction as I recognised him and chatted briefly. Found out that he is into portraits as well and really liked the entries. Nat as his is more popularly known, runs a blog www.jelas.info

He is an activist, been ISA'd and a Harvard graduate. Read his blog.

Who's Who at the KL Photoawards 2009 Awards Evening

Here are a few snaps taken by Lim Li Ling on the special evening of the 7th May 2009 at The Annexe Gallery :

(Carlo Gianferro is the 2nd Prize Professional Winner, but unfortunately he cannot be with us on the day)

Amilin Kassim : Proud Finalist

Wendy Chui, Alecia Neo and Sarah Lim

Me! with Yee Dih Yang, Nikt Wong,Wendy Chui, Alecia Neo, Sarah Lim and Soraya Yusof Talismail

Sarah Lim and Soraya Yusof Talismail

Nikt Wong, 1st Prize Professional

Yee Dih Yang, 3rd Prize Professional

Alecia Neo, Singapore : 3rd Prize Non-Professional

Wendy Chui, Singapore : 2nd Prize Non-Professional

Sarah Lim, 1st Prize Non-Professional

And the Winners are...

Update 2 : 17 May 2009

So far, we have had over 1,000 visitors at the KL Photoawards 2009 exhibition, and last weekend, because of the Arts For Grabs at The Annexe, it was real busy. The general consensus from our visitors was that they were really impressed with the quality of the finalists entries, with many leaving positive remarks in the Visitors book. Thank you to all who have made this exhibition in KL a success! We hope to have a greater participation amongst professionals also in the 2010 Call for Entries !

Photography as an artform is growing in stature here in Malaysia as can be evidenced by the sell-out workshops last weekend, given by myself and Jimin Lai and the great tunrout we had at the Awards evening. The ability to appreciate artistic photography in greater depth is fast extending to even new comers in the practice, especially students in art and design. The signs are encouraging!







Update 1 : 08 May 2009

The Awards Evening went well with a slight hiccup! I forgot to announce the People's Choice Winner! The website has all the information about the main award winners. We were especially graced with the presence of Soraya Yusof Talismail, who gave away the Certificates and Trophies.We had a turnout of around 80 guests and Finalists. I am glad to see so many local Finalists there and thank you for sincerely for turning up. Special thanks to Alecia Neo, Wendy Chui, who came a long distance from Singapore and even further, Sarah Lim from KK to receive their awards. Well done to all the Finalists for making the event possible.

The two First prize Winners for each category goes to :

Professional Category
Nikt Wong (Kuala Lumpur)
Title : We Bloom
Series : Mother Loves Me
Prize : USD3,000 and Trophy




and :

Non-Professional Category
Sarah Virginia Lim (Kota Kinabalu)
Title : Make Believe
Prize : USD1,500 and Trophy



Please click here for the remaining 2009 KL Photoawards Winners. More photos to be added soon.





...all will be revealed within 24 hours!


The KL Photoawards 2009 Awards Evening is tomorrow, and I am just finishing the gallery preps, posters etc for the event, starting last Sunday, with the gracious help of Majidah, one of the judges..(yes, I even make judges work on a Sunday!).


Po Oi, our professional hanger worked effortlessly to hang 46 pictures in 2 hours flat, a record by my understanding. The lighting will be done today and I have sorted out the background music for ambience already. This afternoon, I briefed our gallery assistant Chua, who will be manning the space throughout the exhibition.

I am assured of having at least 5 out of 6 Award winners present fingers crossed! Many are also bringing family, friends and supporters. It should be a great evening.

For those who cannot come tomorrow, please do try and make it between now and the 23 May, at The Annexe, Central Market, Kuala Lumpur, (2nd Floor).