So why did you close the studio?

You may have noticed either from the website or by popping down to the studio in Broomhill that it has been closed for the whole of January. This is because last year my little sister went to live and work in Singapore and this month both myself and my partner Joe decided to get ourselves out there, spend some time with her and try and visit a few places. I think it was the longest holiday we have ever had. We spent three weeks, some of which was in Singapore some in Thailand and some Malaysia.

With Singapore being only one or two degrees below the equator the first thing that hit us was the heat but Singapore is a very sophisticated city and has most things sorted. So everywhere is air conditioned and if they can’t air condition it they build sheltered walkways so the sun can’t get to you. The government there has been in power for years and without getting into politics too much what that has enabled them to do is long term strategic planning. So the infrastructure is very good. Singaporeans are encouraged to use public transport so cars are very expensive to run and buses, metro and taxis are very cheap and very efficient. One of the first things people will say about Singapore is it is very clean…almost squeaky clean, with no litter or graffiti to be seen anywhere. My brother-in-law tells me it is all to do with the idea that if it does not benefit the whole then it is not done. It was interesting watching school children getting on the bus after school, all very smart, all well behaved and polite, all looking at their phones and my question was,” Do they rebel?” Which is what I thought all children did but maybe it is a cultural thing and only children in the west go through a rebellious phase as part of their breaking away and finding their independence. Do Singaporean children rebel, who knows?.

There are also no homeless, no beggars. There are people that are working well into their 80’s and 90’s. The work ethic is very strong here and the Singaporeans I met are very proud of their city.