132cm x 107cm (52” x 42”)
Oil on canvas
2009

Upon arriving in Singapore, I observed a stark contrast between the professional class and the vast numbers of migrant workers who were responsible for much of the physical labor across the cityscape. While class and racial divisions exist worldwide, the visibility of this separation in Singapore is striking. Migrant workers were often isolated from the larger society and overlooked in many ways.

In response, I invited a construction worker to pose for this portrait. My intention was to challenge societal perceptions by portraying him as a sexually desirable and dignified individual. This work seeks to highlight his humanity and individuality, countering the tendency to render these men invisible or undesirable within the social fabric. Through this painting, I aim to provoke a re-evaluation of the narratives surrounding labor, desirability, and respect.