Singapore based illustrator, Jon, who goes by Whereartjon on Instagram, has been creating a series of emotionally charged portraits of the everyday grind of blue collar workers. These are portraits of ice cream makers, restaurant workers, street food stall operators whose work often goes on for long hours at night. In return, these people’s wages are often just enough to keep themselves and their small businesses afloat.
The narratives that Jon’s paintings are telling stands in contrast to the world’s perception of Singapore—one which paints the image of an affluent city-nation, as popularized by Crazy Rich Asians. They remind people to dispel stereotypes and understand that even in the so-called land of the affluent, the wealthy are still a minority. At the end of the day, Jon’s paintings remind people to look after Singapore’s everyday citizens, who champion hard work and strive for quality. This is why his paintings are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of Decent Work And Economic Growth.
Recent reports have shown that Singapore is second in line when it comes to being a city with the most number of millionaires amongst its population. Totaling at almost 4.5% of its population, Singapore trails closely behind Zurich, Switzerland in terms of its millionaire population density. However, Jon’s portraits capture the reality of everyday Singaporeans, as Singapore’s Gini coefficient—a measure of inequality— has hit 70 in 2023 (a 23 percent increase since 2008).
Hence the reality of Singapore’s average citizens is far from lavish nor comfortable. As Jon’s illustrations show, they take pride in daily hard work. However, Jon’s illustrations have also depicted these workers engulfed in darkness. He uses chiaroscuro to highlight the subjects while keeping their backgrounds dark. Aside from portraying night-time scenes, this can also be read as a manifestation of the everyday salaryman’s worries of an economically unstable future.
Jon’s portraits of blue-collar workers offer a poignant glimpse into the often overlooked labor force that powers Singapore’s economy. His illustrations stand as a stark contrast to the global perception of Singapore as a land of affluence, instead highlighting the struggles and resilience of its everyday citizens. Through his use of chiaroscuro and emotionally charged imagery, Jon invites viewers to reflect on the growing inequalities in the city-state and the hardworking individuals striving to make a living in the shadows of wealth. By focusing on these untold stories, Jon’s art urges a reevaluation of how success is measured in Singapore.
Find out more about paintings of everyday labourers and other pieces by Whereartjon on his Instagram @whereartjon.