SHENTONISTA

Despite being dressed in neutral colours, Justin first caught our eye with his tousled hairdo, reminiscent of a modern-day Einstein, and the simple tattoos that adorn his neck and arm.

“I’m in PR, and there’s so much more I want to learn about my job, the work our clients do, and the new media landscape here in Singapore and the region. They’re always changing, and to truly keep up in such a fast-paced industry, there’s a level of agility, skill, and sensitivity required.”

“I wish I had more time to travel to every part of this world. The one place I’d love to visit most would probably be Iceland. I would love to see the Northern Lights—I think it’s such an ethereal sight, and it’s something that I’ve always wanted to be able to witness.”

“I like the whole conversational aspect of jazz, because it’s more like a group sort of situation. Everyone has their input, and everyone has their own personality when they play. Even though maybe one person will be soloing, everyone’s sort of there supporting, and improvising around that.”

“If I could be a plant, I’d probably want to be a sunflower, because they just make people happy, and that’s what I like about them.”

“I think what should be taught in school is free play, which involves things like doing role-play with the children, and encouraging kids to express themselves, and not just fit themselves into a certain mould or go down a certain career path.”

“Something as subtle as tea is actually quite enriching to the mind and body, and I wanted to share this experience with other people, but it’s hard to share, because it’s quite intimate. So I thought the only solution was to have a space of my own so that I could have people over.”

You’ve seen the images, and read the features. Now, go behind the scenes with us as we take you through our full-day shoot for #ShentonistaOfTheYear 2021.

“One of the people I look up to most is the funeral director for my late daughter. She has taught me so much, and really inspires me to look at life differently, and to be a strong and independent woman.”

“I’m classically trained in piano, because I grew up in a family of musicians, but I didn’t like how regimental classical music was. I play the guitar now. I just taught myself since 1990.”

“Even though we don’t have four seasons here, I live in a make-believe world. I don’t care, I’ll go out in a jacket no matter the weather.”

“Brewing tea is like trying to bring a chorus of voices out harmoniously, so that one is not louder than the others, and so that things are in balance. It’s sort of like a journey. Some days, it really feels like a struggle, but the most joyful part is in the tasting.”