Huzir Sulaiman
Theatre Practitioner
Huzir Sulaiman is a man of many talents, but his playwriting is truly astounding to me. He has a rich, lyrical language and multilayered storylines. He is always dapper in his suit and tie in most public settings. Coming into my studio, he knew I wanted a real part of him—he had been photographed enough times looking serious and intellectual. Putting on music and dancing is also a part of him, and this is the gift that he gave to me, a portrait that no other photographer could take.
My relationship with my body underwent a profound change during the pandemic. I have always been overly cerebral; childhood asthma made me think I couldn’t trust my body. I have always loved to dance, but I largely did so in private. With the pandemic, I began to work out with a trainer three times a week over Zoom, and I rediscovered a confidence and ease in my body. I wanted Ngiap Heng to capture this side of me. As a photographer and friend, his energy is gentle and nonjudgmental; he lets his subjects reveal themselves.