Death by Man is a photographic investigation and documentation of Singapore’s wildlife through a journaled obituary by artist-photographer, Jasvic Lye. It showcases the array of animals that we are privileged to share our island home with, the individuals that we have lost, and all that we could possibly be losing. The project uses evocative visuals and narratives to shed light on the plight of wild animals that have perished due to human activities and rapid urbanisation, urging people to recognise the value of each animal’s life and to reflect on our relationship with wildlife in a city.
From Carcasses to Conservation: The Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum’s Impact
In collaboration with the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, this project not only unveiled captivating photographic documentation but also breathed new ‘life’ into the some of the animals by preserving them as specimens. These carcasses transcended mere display, but also offered researchers rare access to biological, geographic, and temporal data, and to perhaps discover any possible correlation with both natural and human-induced environmental changes. Moreover, this wealth of knowledge was thoughtfully shared with the broader public, enriching awareness and understanding of the intricate dance between humanity and wildlife in our urban landscape.
About the Artist-Photographer
Jasvic is a Singaporean lens-based artist whose works are largely influenced by her relationship with nature. Coming from both an arts and science academic background, she sees the two practices as equals and is constantly exploring ways to marry them in her works. Jasvic’s most ambitious visual arts project thus far is ‘Death by Man’—a wildlife obituary photography series that was conceptualised in her final year of studies in Fine Arts in Photography and Digital Imaging at Nanyang Technological University, School of Arts, Design and Media. While Jasvic does explore ways to create emotionally driven works for self-expression, she prefers to use her visual language to tell stories of the world around us.