JOSÉ JEULAND | THE ART OF CHINESE MEDICINE
Things have taken a turn since two issues ago: The situation with Covid-19 has indeed changed tremendously – and it is now a global issue that scares the people and their economy.
At the beginning of the virus spread back in January, one of my documentary page on my website garnered many views and became one of the most-viewed pages to date. It was none other than “The Art of Chinese Medicine.”
Being deeply associated with the global situation, readers were intrigued by traditional Chinese medicine used to prevent sickness and similar information that was readily available online. I want to take this chance to share my reasons and thoughts behind this project.
A little disclaimer before I dive in, the purpose of this article is not to encourage anyone to self-medicate to battle this virus. To be honest, it has been years since I last consumed any form of medication – and I’m thankful to have not seen a doctor all this time. It’s been four years since I’ve moved to Singapore, and there are many multi-cultural lessons and traditions I’ve grown to love. Asia is simply incredible.
Each time I stepped into a local grocery store, or what is known as a Mama shop amongst the locals, I find myself intrigued by the vintage packaging of traditional Chinese medicines. I would be so captivated by the design; I would ask the store manager if I could take a peek at the actual medication packed inside.
It was during those visits to the grocery store; I made a promise to myself to one day photograph these beautiful medicine packaging – something entirely different from my usual shots of people.
Traditional Chinese medicine has been around for generations and centuries. In the olden days, people had to use natural resources that they found around them to cure sickness and diseases. Technology wasn’t as developed as it is today. Therefore, natural remedies are the trusted and reliable source of medication. Although the knowledge and education of traditional Chinese medicine are declining, it is amazing how some of these medicines are still around, and some remain the top few choices of people till today.
It is said that Chinese medicine goes to the root of the illness as compared to western medicine, where they medicate to alleviate sickness and conditions instead. This comprises the study of body energy (Qi), which refers to the yin and yang and aims to bring balance to the body’s natural hormones.
There’s no better place to find these items than in Chinatown, Singapore – a colorful and vibrant place, rich in its Chinese ethnic culture and history, that spans from the beginning of time in Singapore. Today, locals and tourists visit Chinatown to immerse themselves in the Chinese culture in Singapore.
There are museums, places of worship, street food, novelty items, scrumptious Chinese delicacies, and desserts that flood the streets. It is the busiest during festivals such as the Chinese New Year and the Lantern Festival, where you will be able to enjoy the brightly-lit decorations along the streets.
Apart from the sweet views, there is another reason why people visit Chinatown, and that is to buy traditional Chinese medicines. There is a history of locals (especially the older generation) visiting the medical halls to buy medicine, using them to treat their health conditions instead of visiting General Practitioners. Some of these medical halls have been around for years, if not, generations.
It is fantastic to see that they are still around even after rapid changes and new developments in Singapore.
In September 2018, I stopped by a shophouse with my assistant Angelina who speaks fluently in Mandarin.
It was indeed helpful to have her translate the questions I had for the shop owner, all of which I used in my documentary project.
Ban Yoo Foh Medicine Hall is a family business owned by Mr. Kwok Cher Kiat, who works with his son.
They were incredibly supportive and willing to help me with my project. Enter Mr. Kwok’s shop, and you’ll be surrounded by medicines wrapped in nostalgic designs – kind of similar to being in a candy shop.
I took the opportunity to interview Mr. Kwok Cher Kiat, who shared with us more about traditional medicine, and his loyal customers from all walks of life, who patronize his shop and leave with different variations of the oil, powder or pills.
To share this experience with the world, I made an aesthetic composition by using one to multiple products together in
a single shot.
Mr. Kwok Cher Kiat, The man behind Ban Yoo Foh Medical Hall, has run the 100-year old family business spanning up to four generations, for about 50 years. He started learning the ropes and working for his parents at the age of 23 and went on to take over the business after his father’s passing. He is present in his medical hall every day, along with his son, Ben. Mr. Kwok is a healthy, warm, and amiable man who is a strong believer in traditional Chinese medicine. Besides, every one of its packaging, I’ve always been intrigued by the art of Chinese medicine. Mr. Kwok shared about how he would like to bring it back to people’s attention, especially to the newer generation.
A special thanks to Mr. Kwok and Ban Yoo Foh Medical Hall for granting us the kind opportunity to carry out this project.
From discovering and diving deeper into this topic, I found similarities between traditional medicine in France and a typical piece of advice from any wise grandmother, on various technics adopted where medication is concerned. Even if we do not believe in something, it’s interesting to understand the practices from the past. During this photography project, I also discovered what lies within – the different textures and smells. Each product brings a different historical heritage, and they exude a unique vibe.
The Art of the Chinese Medicine will also bring a refreshing twist in the aesthetics of the products put together, and focuses on the packaging of each Chinese medicine products – each with its own story. All the photographs were taken in my studio COCO Creative Studio, and the images were not composed (one-shot).
That said, there are some things I will not experiment with. I’m against using wild and protected animals for medical practice or believe, ray and tail, sharks for soup and other methods, and against eating wild animals. I’m a strong believer in keeping the wildlife and ecosystem health.
All I can hope for at the present moment is for a better global situation. Our lifestyle must continue to incorporate the deserved respect for humanity and Mother Nature.
DISCLAIMER:
It is not intended to publicize or persuade readers to adopt the use of Chinese medicine to cure or treat their condition. The results are not guaranteed and may vary based on the user. If the reader or any other person has a medical concern, he or she should consult with a doctor or a professional.
