In Island Nation, photographers Juliana Tan, Edwin Koo and Zakaria Zainal set about to capture the stories of Singapore’s Southern Islands and the people who were evicted and rehoused to the main island in the 1960s. Along with their assistant Pandora Wong, the Island Nation team met and photographed dozens of people and visited islands such as St John, Lazarus, Seringat, Pulau Belakang Mati, Pulau Bukom and elsewhere. Here, Edwin Koo tells us more about the project and some of the heartbreaking stories they gathered.

Tell us a bit about the project. 
We often forget that Singapore is not one island, but comprised of more than 60 islands at one point. Kampong spirit was there on these islands before the term was even coined. By focusing on the living history of the former islanders whom we can still speak to and interact with now, we seek to capture a narrative that is forgotten. 

What’s the story behind the photo of the lady swimming that appears on the cover [see above]? 
Madam Bedah is a former resident of Lazarus Island. When we organized an islander get-together to bring 76 former islanders and their families back to St John Island, Lazarus Island and Seringat Island, Madam Bedah joined us. She was in a wheelchair as she had difficulty walking long distances. But the moment she saw the familiar waters of the islands, she gestured to her daughter to take her to the sea where she swam like a fish. 

How is the islander identity at odds now with modern Singapore?
As modern Singaporeans, we have lost the identity of being islanders, simply because we fly more than we sail or swim. We are so connected to other countries because of our world class airport, we no longer pay attention to, or are even aware of, the existence of an island life that was once simple and beautiful.

What was the most moving story you encountered? 
I think it was especially moving when we witnessed old neighbors from Pulau Seking visiting Mr Teo Yen Teck in his HDB flat during Chinese New Year. Mr Teo operated a provision shop on that island for about 20 years, and made a lot of difference to the islanders because he was very generous. When he recalls the eviction, he still breaks down and cries. So it was especially moving seeing his Malay islanders visit him decades later and thank him for being there for them. 

Island Nation is on display through Jun 28 at the Promenade at National Library Building, Level 10, 100 Victoria St. See more images in the slideshow above.