Singapore-based photographer Marcus Mok began his photographic career in 1997 in the field of bridal photography after leaving his real estate job of 5 years which he says "is not his calling". He decided to enter the exciting world of photography as he felt he really had a passion for the craft, and that passion was the only way he could learn to excel in his trade.

A self-taught photographer, Marcus' first encounter with male nude images was in 1996 when he picked up a copy of BLUE on his trip to Sydney. However, he only dabbled in male nude photography in 2002 on a trip to Hawaii. He has never looked back since. Marcus’ works were featured 4 times in one year by BLUE in 2005/2006 and that really spurred him to on to greater things, one of which was to stage his first and very successful solo all-Asian artistic male nudes exhibition, "Men of Silk", in Sydney during the 2006 Mardi Gras. He went on to do a second solo exhibition in Melbourne titled “Anonymous” in October 2008.

Photographing the Asian male was a natural progression for him because of his background. He also realised, from his travels, that publications featuring asian male nudes are a rarity and ones with an artistic edge are even rarer…hence he was determined to carve a niche in that genre of photography. Creative use of props and lighting remain very much a characteristic of his shoots. Full frontal nudity is not a common thread in his collection. He feels that not showing genitalia heightens the sensual aspect of male nude images…that it tantalises without being too explicit. Partly, it’s a result of working in a still conservative, yet slowly liberating Singapore. Mok himself has had his website shut down by Singaporean authorities unimpressed with his images depicting full-frontal nudity. For the same reason, he avoids displaying these types of photos at exhibitions in his home country. And it’s not uncommon for some of his models to request a degree of anonymity.

Marcus is currently working on his first coffee table book of male figure photography, showcasing a collection of the best images created in the last 6 years, which he hopes to launch in 2009. In 2003 Marcus got enlisted as stock image contributor for Stock Image Agency Asia Images Group. His images are sold worldwide through renowned stock image distributors such as Getty-Images.

Curriculum Vitae of Marcus Mok ( mainly for male nude photography )

March 1997 Started photography career doing mostly studio and outdoor bridal portraiture

Jan 2002 Began career in stock photography through Asia-Images Group

May 2003 Did a series of 3 conceptual posters Commissioned by the Singapore Vegetarian Society for the "Go Vegetarian" Exhibition in Singapore alongside international posters at the Esplanade Tunnel organised by The Esplanade Co. Ltd.

Dec 2003 2 page spread of male nudes in "Manazine", issue no. 2, a Singapore based men's lifestyle magazine

October 2004 Participated in group photography exhibition "[ RA ] unpublished" in Singapore, organised by Manazine.

May 2005 8 page Gallery and write up titled "Too Shy" of Asian male nudes published in Sydney magazine, BLUE issue #56

Dec 2005 4 page spread in BLUE MUSE, a special publication of BLUE

Feb 2006 First solo photographic exhibition titled "Men of Silk" , featuring all-Asian male nudes at the Tap Gallery, Sydney,.Cover and 2 page spread ( including interview ) in FG, the Sydney Mardi Gras Guide 2006

May 2006 Half page feature in BLUE issue #62 featuring exhibit “Adam 2005” Cover and centrespread + interview in SXNational ( Melbourne ) issue #38

June 2006 One of 9 featured photographers with a 22 page spread in Boy Next Door, a special publication of BLUE “Men of Silk” a solo photographic exhibition at Bianco, MOX bar and café, Singapore

February 2008 One of 8 Asian photographers featured in an all Asian male exhibition at Off The Kerb Gallery in Melbourne as part of the Midsumma Festival. Titled "Men Like Me", it is organised and curated by Australian Photographer/Artist, Garrie Maguire.

May/June 2008 Full page spread of featured ariel artist Ari Levanael in reRresh Magazine, a UK publication on Men's Lifestyle

June 2008 Featured photographer in June issue of MATE magazine, a German publication on men's lifestyle

July 2008 Second solo exhibition titled "Anonymous" featuring fine art male nudes in Hares & Hyenas Bookshop, Melbourne

July 2008 Review of "Anonymous" Exhibition in MCV Magazine, issue 393, by Lucy Elliott, Melbourne

August/Oct 2008 Second solo exhibition titled “Anonymous” featuring fine art male nudes in BSG (Brunswick Street Gallery), Melbourne

Dec 5-14 2008 Second solo exhibition titled "Anonymous" featuring fine art male nudes in Gallery 83, Singapore

16 Feb-1 Mar 2009 Second solo exhibition titled "Into The Light" featuring fine art male nudes in Tap Gallery, Sydney

Feb 2009 Cover of FG, Sydney Star Observer, + interview page Page 19 “Marcus Find Freedom on Canvas by Sunny Burns

March 2009 Asia Literary Review, Hibernation 2008 ,Nocturne by Anna Jaquiery Pg 65-80, The Bearer 2006,Turning A Blind Eye by O Thiam Chin Pg 103-111

April 2009 Singapore Art Museum acquired 2 images, Retro-spective 2008 & Landscape 2006