When Michelangelo took chisel to marble and created his eternal masterpiece of the glorious David, he captured the light, life and brooding beauty of the unadorned masculine form.

It is those very qualities which appeal to Marcus and which he endeavours to enshrine on film when he applies lens to model. Like the David, his images caress not only the eyes but the senses and indeed the soul.

Marcus mourned the neglect of the Asian male nude in photographic history, much like the neglect of Asia itself in the consciousness of the western world. He determined to redress that imbalance within the moralistic and anachronistic confines of Singaporean legality.

The results are symphonies of simplicity. Rarely confronting the viewer with the bare brutality of unadorned genitalia, Marcus instead hints at the unseen, quickening the imagination along with the appetite, at the same time heightening the artfulness of his work.

Marcus loves the interplay between the definite but gentle human form and the often harsh environment in which he must survive – rocks, concrete, timber, water. At times the contrast is palpable while at others the blending of the two is chameleon. Whichever, the men in his work complement and beautify their surroundings, with the surroundings lending him their glory.

In that sense, Marcus’ work is a powerful metaphor for the place of the Asian male in society. Often he glides unnoticed, merging into his surroundings and passing barely noticed, at other times standing in stark contrast to all around. In either case, he is an adornment, beautifying life and gracing the world.

Marcus has a passion for the universality of man, anxious to transcend the traditional barriers which isolate people, and to overcome man’s inhumanity to man. That passion impels him to photograph not only Asian men, but Caucasian as well, revealing the subcutaneous similarity between us all.

He tries to see beneath the skin to unlock the glow of life that enlivens every being, regardless of sexuality, colour, nationality or beliefs. In this way Marcus hopes to do his small part in breaking down discrimination in all its forms, picture by picture.

Biography

Singapore-based photographer Marcus Mok began his photographic career 10 years ago 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 solo all-Asian male nudes exhibition, “Men of Silk”, in Sydney during the 2006 Mardi Gras.

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.

Besides being a male figure photographer, Marcus is also very entrenched in the world of stock photography where he makes his bread and butter. 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
Male nudes featured in “Manazine” a Singapore based men’s lifestyle magazine

October 2004
Participated in group photography exhibition “[ RA ] unpublished” in Singapore, organised by Manazine. Sold 2 of 4 prints.

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 exhibition “Men of Silk” , a 2-week solo photographic exhibition at the Tap Gallery, Sydney, featuring all-Asian male nudes.
Sold 14 of 36 prints exhibited

Cover and 2 page spread ( including interview ) in FG, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Guide 2006

May 2006
BLUEPRINT 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 5-day solo photographic exhibition at Bianco, MOX bar and café, Singapore ( sold 10 of 27 prints )

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.

Sold 3 out of 6 prints exhibited