Special Programmes

1–24 Jul

Painting with Light: Festival of International Films on Art is an annual film festival presented by National Gallery Singapore, dedicated to films on artistic practices, institutions of art and moments in art history that resonate today.

The theme for the 2022 edition of the festival, “Interventions in Space,” speaks about the ways in which artists interrupt established patterns of being in their worlds. Accordingly, festival programming will look at the work of artists who engage with beliefs about indigeneity, modernity, class relations, government, art and culture, and other determinants of social structure.

The fifth edition will run from 1 to 24 July 2022, returning in a hybrid format with online screenings on the microsite and on-site screenings. It will present over 50 feature-length and short films both online and in various spaces across the Gallery. Visitors can also look forward to the many post-screening dialogues and guided exhibition tours with curators, filmmakers, artists and industry specialists.

To find out more about the festival, please visit paintingwithlight.nationalgallery.sg.

Film still from Fifth Cinema by Nguyen Trinh Thi Film still from Fifth Cinema by Nguyen Trinh Thi

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS!

FILMS

Among its catalogue of films, festivalgoers can expect film highlights including the world premiere of a 4K digital restoration of Conversation in Space, one of the Philippines’ earliest experimental films by artist and art historian Rod. Paras-Perez.

Alongside it are the Asian premiere of Firestarter—The Story of Bangarra—a feature-length documentary on the beginnings and growth of Bangarra Dance Theatre, a company of professional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performers.

Audiences can look forward to screenings of these films at various locations throughout the museum, including exclusive in-gallery screenings for select films!

The festival’s Special Focus programming this year will spotlight the special exhibition, Chua Mia Tee: Directing the Real, with two commissions by Singapore filmmakers that speak to its key proposition—that the lens of film is a relevant to the discourse on Chua Mia Tee's realist artistic style and philosophy. They are an essay film by Singapore multi-disciplinary artist Robert Zhao Renhui, as well as talks and screenings on social realist filmmaking in Singapore by researcher and artist-filmmaker Toh Hun Ping.

PROGRAMMES

Film still from Conversation in Space by Rod. Paras-Perez

Film still from Firestarter–The Story of Bangarra by Nel Minchin and Wayne Blair

Robert Zhao Renhui

Audiences can enjoy free post-screening tours of exhibitions guided by Gallery curators and docents, with a focus on the art and exhibition-making processes featured in the film programmes. These exhibitions include Chua Mia Tee: Directing the Real, Antony Gormley, Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia and Between Declarations and Dreams: Art of Southeast Asia Since the 19th Century. Registration details will be released closer to the event.

SPECIAL PROGRAMMES

ADMISSION IS FREE NOW TILL DEC 2022!

Explore the online festival here

EXPLORE OUR FIRST-EVER HYBRID

EDITION!

ENRICH YOUR BIENNALE EXPERIENCE WITH THESE PROGRAMES!

Programmes Dates Venue

Move with Me!

Sun, 7 Aug A SOMATIC SERIES 2.30–4pm, WITH VINCENT YONG 4.30–6pm City Hall Wing, Level 5, Rooftop Studios 3 and 4

SOUND MAKERS BY Sat, 10 Sep City Hall Wing, Level 5,

LITTLECR3ATURESTM 2.30–3pm | Ages 3–6 Rooftop Studios 1 and 2 3.30–4pm | Ages 1.5–3 4.30–5pm | Ages 0–1.5

Home in Nature, Nature in Home by LITTLECR3ATURESTM Online

STORIES WITH KAMINI RAMACHANDRAN: • The Harimau and the Bee • The Little Toe • The Monkey God and the Mermaid • The Tree's Lesson Online

Ignite your child's curiosity by exploring participatory works while learning about the four themes—Home, Environment, Diversity, Time—in our first-ever hybrid edition!

DON'T MISS THESE HIGHLIGHTS!

A Day’s Book

by Joyce Ho This curious library of daily diaries is filled with intriguing stories penned by children all over the world. Pick up a book to read or contribute your own stories to the library!

Voices from the Centers

by Dinh Q. Lê It’s time for our little musicians and actors to let their creative juices flow! Record unique videos here in response to a selection of artworks. Remember to check out the spectacular accompanying display at the Padang Atrium!

BEHOME

by Speak Cryptic and ADDADDADD Explore the world of BB Cool Bee and his bee friends. Immerse yourself in the interactive installation or play some arcade games inspired by the process of honey-making!

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