Block 12, My Territory, My Dignity #12

This image is part of a photographic series "Block 12, My Territory, My Dignity" by Lavender Chang (b. 1983), which portrays the interiors of one-room rental flats occupied by elderly tenants in Bedok South Avenue 2.Nestled within each of these domestic spaces are belongings and configurations of furniture embodying hints about their owners' identity, personalities and beliefs that coalesce into a rich and fascinating portrait of their lives. This particular home belongs to a Chinese male tenant who has chosen to sleep on the floor instead of the bunk beds, possibly due to the hot weather in Singapore. An audio cassette player can be seen by his pillow, while an alarm clock sits atop the wardrobe handle within easy reach.Captured in a stark, unflinching style reminiscent of German photographers Bernd and Hilla Becher's iconic typological industrial structures from the late 1960s to 1990s, this series offers a rare insight into the social realities of economically disadvantaged Singaporeans, while reflecting the immense sense of pride and ownership they have in designing their everyday living spaces.

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