'Together through the Fire' is a cropped and enhanced version of an original documentation photograph of Ngui's public artwork entitled, "falling from heaven to earth; the shooting star" (2011), a glass video floor measuring 5m by 25m installed at the State Theatre Centre of Western Australia.

Ngui's interactive public art installation is situated at the main entrance to the State Theatre Centre and it is able to depict various pre-programmed video sequences. This particular photograph was taken when the "Fire" video sequence was showing, with a couple walking hand in hand over the glass floor.

As such, the photograph, 'Together through the Fire', is suggestive of two people walking, as they support each other, through or over a gauntlet of fire. The obvious metaphor here being that as a human race, we battle adversities such as the COVID-19 pandemic by banding together and cooperating.

About the artist
Based in Singapore and Australia, Matthew Ngui's multi-disciplinary art practice largely involves investigations into perception though installation, sculpture, video and performance. For over three decades, Ngui has created numerous site-specific installations at major international biennales and contemporary art spaces. His career also includes lecturing at various art schools internationally, being on various boards of art institutions and curating at the Singapore Biennale office from 2006 to 2011, serving as its Artistic Director for the 2011 edition. Ngui has won several commissions and his permanent artworks can be seen in public areas in Singapore and Australia.