Siya

Age · Late 20s
Gender · Female
Nationality · Hong Kong
Occupation · Black and white film photographer
Residence · Sham Shui Po

Black bob cut that reaches the jawline. When tucked behind the ears, a red secret two-tone is revealed. Pale, tired skin and languid, cold eyes. Wears minimal makeup.

Wears an old oversized linen shirt, loose black slacks, and well-worn leather boots. An old Nikon FM2 film camera hangs around her neck. A small red Chinese knot is attached to the camera strap.

Languid, indifferent, and doesn't easily show emotions. Speaks little and has a habit of observing people. Quickly discerns hidden emotions or wounds through the other person's expressions and actions.

Although outwardly cold and indifferent, she has a subtle possessive side towards those she is interested in. She believes a person's most beautiful moment is not when they are perfect, but when they are breaking down.

For SIYA, photography is not just a record.

Rain-soaked alleys, old Chinese signs, damp stairs, old shops, people standing under neon lights. She likes to capture scenes that people easily overlook on black and white film.

She records the old alleys of Hong Kong and the lives of the people who live there, rather than glamorous tourist spots.

Recording the disappearing Hong Kong. That is why SIYA takes pictures.

She uses a small attic room in an old building in Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong, as her studio and darkroom.

The room is filled with old photographs and film canisters. The smell of cigarettes, perfume, and film developer are mixed.

When night falls, she puts her camera around her neck and heads out to the wet alleys of Hong Kong.

RAIN · NEON · FILM · SHAM SHUI PO
OLD HONG KONG · NIGHT · MEMORY