LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
LISA
DORENFEST
This quarter found me on my nomadic doorstep in wetlands of Chek Jawa. I visited at low tide and was
Singapore. Admittedly, it took me a long time to bond with treated to a grand show.
our latest port of call. While Singapore is a friendly, clean
city with endless architectural marvels and delicious food, Singapore’s natural beauty acted as a welcome muse
it initially felt sterile to me. After having sailed for four that allowed me to view the city (and life) through a new
months through diverse, exotic Indonesia, the luxuries of set of eyes. The streets suddenly came alive for me and
Singapore offered welcome but uninspiring comfort. I found inspiration wherever I turned. In the end, my
time in Singapore was too short with so much remaining
Perhaps it was an unusually lengthy rainy season that to be explored. We’ve lifted anchor and set sail for
dampened my spirits. Or maybe life had just gotten in the Phuket to face down those boat repairs and explore a
way with a couple of unplanned (but successful) medical new nomadic doorstep, but I very much look forward to
treatments, the prospect of boat refit coming in the second visiting Singapore again someday soon.
quarter, and my shifting focus from sightseeing to creative
ways to replenish the ‘cruising kitty’.
I am certain that this quarter’s issue of On Your Doorstep
Magazine will encourage you to spend more time
But while my touring time was limited (and the sun even exploring nature’s splendor. Issue 4 features stories
more so), I was determined to find inspiration for my lens in from around the globe celebrating Gaia and presents
Singapore during the free moments that I had to experience magnificent works from six nature inspired artists.
it. I returned to my most calming and rejuvenating source, Paul Cope, a burgeoning photographer from England,
Mother Nature. Singapore showcases her with unexpected shares his story of finding solace in the healing power
abundance. I just scratched the surface with visits to of nature. German photographer Nils Kalrson presents
MacRitchie Reservoir, Mount Faber Park, and my favorite, stunning, minimalist seascapes captured on film. David
the off-the-beaten track Pulau Ubin. Foster returns to On Your Doorstep to take us traveling
on his nomadic doorstep in Chile. Leon Taylor, a lawyer
Pulau Ubin is just a subway, then bus, then bum-boat ride and part-time photographer from England, presents his
away from the Downtown Core and well worth the trip. series ‘Mushrooms’ beautifully captured in black and
The island is one of the few remaining places to experience white. Landscape photographer Peter Stevens brings
‘kampung’ (village) lifestyle in Singapore. It is also a national us stunning scenes from his doorstep in England. And
park designed to conserve Singapore’s diverse nature and Buenos Aires-based visual artist Alexandra Kehayoglou
cultural heritage. Motorized vehicles are limited and travel creates sculptures using surplus textiles from her family’s
is predominantly by bicycle. During my visit, I enjoyed a factory El Esperanto.
lively cycle half way across the island to the extensive
Enjoy!
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