Editor's Note
"Calligraphy may well be simply an artistic version of another form, that is the ideograms which make up the poem, but then not only does it reflect the character and temperament of the artist but … also betrays his heart rate, his breathing.” Dai Sijie, Chinese-French author and filmmaker
Singapore’s creative pulse beats at an energetic pace, bringing frequent waves of fresh air and new impulses. While for TS Eliot April might have been “the cruellest month”, here April’s arts calendar rather presents an enticing range of delights and pleasures. This month sees a number of special events, including exhibitions from two notable contemporary artists to watch out for. On 1st April, Sky One Art Gallery will open an exhibition of the calligraphy work of acclaimed Singaporean artist Tan Oe Pang. Throughout his notable career, Tan has extensively explored various Chinese ink techniques, from calligraphy to landscape painting, and though a master of the traditional form and style, he draws his major inspiration from the interplay between past and present, tradition and modernity. Tan’s visionary approach to this most ancient and highly regarded of Chinese arts is not to be missed. Rooted in quite another world and time, the work of Spanish artist Monica Dixon reflects on the themes of humanity and
belonging within the spatial manifestations of the modern condition. On 10th April, Barnadas Huang gallery will present ‘A Universal Truth’, Dixon’s eagerly anticipated first solo show in Singapore. The multiple prize winning Dixon has earned quite an international reputation for her desolate landscapes and lonely, bare interiors, rendered in meticulous detail and with a studied use of light, which present the viewer with ambiguous and deceptively simple scenarios that are both familiar and yet eerily alien. And that’s just two of the highlights! With so much going on, it’s hard to keep up. That’s why SAGG is dedicated to bringing you the latest info, here in our handy guide and on our website (sagg.info), so that you can get the most out of what Singapore has to offer. We wish you an inspiring month!
Irene Marx irene@sagg.info
April 2015 Vol 11 | N° 3
Singapore Art Gallery Guide 27 Woking Road #01–01 Singapore 138705 +65 3108 0301 editor@sagg.info www.sagg.info Front Page Cover Artwork "Bu Er Men" by Tan Oe Pang 2015, 220 x 110 cm Presented by Sky One Art Gallery Editor-in-Chief & Art Director Irene Marx, irene@sagg.info
4 The Power of the Word 10 Lost In Time 14 王泗妹戲團 Hokkien Opera 16 The Enlightened One: Images of
Gautama Buddha in Contemporary Art
18 Affordable Art Fair Spring Edition 2015
Editors Zoe Goldstein Tessa Ann Wong Israel Zeng Business Development Kelly Reedy Printed by Craft Print International Ltd. Permit MCI (P) 134/12/2014 ISSN 1793-0510
20 Tropical Nudes in Print 22 Never Say No 26 A Traveller’s Reverie 28 Hugging The Shore 32 Zhang Linhai “SandBox Series” 34 AFTER UTOPIA
Deadline for May 2015 issue: Monday, 06 April 2015 Deadline for June/July 2015 issue: Wednesday, 06 May 2015 Deadline for August 2015 issue: Monday, 06 July 2015
36 Blurred Visions 38 Intimacy – Jiang Pengyi Solo Exhibition 42 New Silk Roads 44 LOOK BACK 48
Exhibitions & Event Listings
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We have taken great effort to assure the information provided in the Singapore Art Gallery Guide (SAGG) is correct, but disclaim liability for all loss or damage, whether direct or indirect, arising out of or in connection with the use of or the reliance on the contents of the SAGG and advise you to confirm or verify crucial information with the relevant galleries/venues.
17 - 19 APRIL 2015 F1 Pit Building 1 Republic Boulevard Singapore 70 local and international galleries Fresh selection of contemporary art S$100 - S$10,000
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Tan Oe Pang, "Zhen Shu", 2000, 138 x 68 cm
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The Power of the Word The Calligraphy Art of Tan Oe Pang at Sky One Art Gallery Written by Zoe Goldstein
More than 2,000 years ago, Yang Xiong, the famous Han Dynasty Confucian scholar, defined calligraphy as the ventilation of the heart’s depths. The form, the handling of the brush, the presentation and style mean that calligraphy as a work of art is universally regarded in China as having the greatest power to reveal the moral integrity, character, emotions, aesthetics and culture of the artist. This April, Sky One Art Gallery presents a new exhibition of the calligraphy work of acclaimed Singaporean artist Tan Oe Pang, whose extensive exploration of Chinese ink techniques, from calligraphy to landscapes, from the traditional to the daringly contemporary, mark him out as a visionary local artist without parallel. Tan Oe Pang’s calligraphy gracefully inherits many centuries of tradition, while bringing it boldly into the present. His brushstrokes are often heavily imbued with recognisable traces of particular styles or forms, yet in his use of faint ink and dry strokes, the way in which he applies pressure or lifts the brush at the start and end of strokes, enlivens his characters with flourishes of modernity. In traditional China, calligraphy – the art of writing – was the most highly prized of all visual art forms. Indeed, while painting and calligraphy emerged at the same time and shared the same tools – brush and ink – calligraphy was revered as a fine art long
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“[In calligraphy] I have seen the wonder of a drop of dew glistening from a dangling needle, a shower of rock hailing down in a raging thunder, a flock of geese gliding, frantic beasts stampeding in terror, a phoenix dancing, a startled snake slithering away Sun Guoting in fright”
before painting. The high status of calligraphy reflects the importance of the word in traditional Chinese culture. But what makes Chinese written language so distinctive is its visual form, with each word represented by its own unique character.
It is said that Cangjie, the legendary inventor of Chinese writing, was inspired by seeing animal footprints and bird claw marks on the sand, based on which he developed simplified, easily recognizable images to denote single words. In calligraphy practice, these symbols convey more than phonetic sound or semantic meaning; the very way in which a character is rendered with brush and ink offers numerous connotations and readings, and reflects metaphors of human traits and natural elements. As the 7th century writer Sun Guoting observed, “[In calligraphy] I have seen the wonder of a drop of dew glistening from a dangling needle, a shower of rock hailing down in a raging thunder, a flock of geese gliding, frantic beasts stampeding in terror, a phoenix dancing, a startled snake slithering away in fright”. Another facet that explains the significance of calligraphy is the existence of recognisable traditions or styles, alongside the calligrapher’s own distinct personal touch. The calligrapher must
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Tan Oe Pang, "Tian Fa Shen Qian Bei", 2014, 218 x 110 cm
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learn the choreographed movements of the characters and maintain compositional order, but once he has internalised these rules he is free to truly express himself. As abstract as it may at first seem to an untrained eye, calligraphy conveys emotion and the individual artist perhaps more intensely than all other Chinese visual arts. When during the Song Dynasty and leading into the early 20th century the practices of calligraphy, poetry and ink painting became intertwined, this trinity of expression became known as the ‘three perfections’. It is no wonder then that during the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries, the abstract linear art of “calligraphic expressionism” would appear in the western art scene, and inspire many American abstract expressionists, including Jackson Pollock. World renowned Chinese abstract artist Zhu Dequn has testified to the fact that the themes of the solid and the void, and the musical melody in abstract art, are derived from the intension of Chinese calligraphy. However, it may also be argued that western artists who draw from the essence of Chinese calligraphy only manage to take in its linear beauty. Chinese artists, on the other hand, have been able to nurture the inner strata of artistic creation because of their connection with the culture and philosophical thinking that informs calligraphy. Tan Oe Pang is a highly accomplished calligraphy artist, whose mastery and innovation make the exhibition at Sky One Art Gallery particularly rewarding. While undeniably contemporary, his calligraphic art nevertheless contains much of the quintessence of ancient Chinese philosophy. Tan’s regular script may be broadly categorised into two types. One category is simple and antiquated, attractive and pure, indicative of Jin and Tang styles, yet unrestrained by the brush and ink, appearing to have inherited more of the original flair of silk and wooden strip inscriptions. The other category is an innovation that departs completely from the shape of the characters, with the predominant subject matter being Buddhist teachings. In these works, the depths and intrinsic qualities of Chinese philosophy are emancipated from the words through the two-dimensionality of calligraphy into a spatial rendering, paving a new way for Chinese calligraphic art into modernity.
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Tan Oe Pang, "Tian Fa Shen Qian Bei", 2014, 218 x 110 cm
Exhibition: The Calligraphy Art of Tan Oe Pang Venue: Sky One Art Gallery Address: 30 Tai Seng Street, #09-02, Breadtalk IHQ, Singapore 534013 Hours: Mon – Fri: 11am – 6pm; Sat, Sun & PH by appointment only Website: www.oe-art.com
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LOST IN TIME The world stands still in Barnadas Huang’s most recent solo exhibition by Mónica Dixon
When is a house in a field not just a house in a field? When it comprises the main subject of a luminous painting by Mónica Dixon, whose deceptively simple but metaphysical paintings have developed a cult-like following in Asia. Represented exclusively in Asia by Barnadas Huang, her works have commanded attention after selling out at showings at art fairs in Hong Kong and Singapore.
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Monica Dixon, Rock Hill, SC., 100 x 150 cm, Acrylic on Canvas, 2015
Born in 1971 in New Jersey, USA, Dixon received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Rutgers University in 1997. Drawing inspiration from landscapes that evoke the works of Andrew Wyeth and Edward Hopper, Dixon’s mysterious houses sit calmly on vast plains and at the brink of interstate highways, with clean and crisp horizons depicting different times of the day. As a counterpoint, her interiors present desolate staircases and hallways, reminding the viewer that it is the individual that makes a home, and not the other way round. But what separates her work is how her paintings take on an enigmatic and contemplative air. Indeed, Dixon infuses them with emotions, thoughts and energy that are almost tangible to the viewer, suggesting an artist who is trying to find her roots by discerning the ingredients that differentiate a house from a home. “Mónica’s works are highly charged with energy despite their simplicity,” explains Loh Weiren, gallery director of Barnadas Huang. Singapore Art Gallery Guide
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“What stands out is her understanding and representation of light. It infuses and seeps through spaces, creating form in the manner of its presence or absence.” Rachel Chin, art consultant at Barnadas Huang, elaborates on the poignancy of the works, “In this exhibition, the unifying is how Mónica transforms the familiar into the unfamiliar, highlighting the house as a vessel for our distinct identities against our need for shelter. Through this, the viewer is invited to consider their understanding of what a home is and means, and how we as individuals shape the spaces we inhabit.” Dixon’s first solo exhibition in Asia debuted at Art Central in Hong Kong in March 2015 before coming to Singapore, where the exhibition will run from April 11th to June 10th, 2015. below: Mónica Dixon, Fairfield, 100 x 100 cm, Acrylicon canvas, 2015
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above: Mónica Dixon The Other Side of Sleep 150 x 150 cm Acrylic on canvas, 2015 right: Mónica Dixon Exit, No. 6 150 x150 cm Acrylic on Canvas, 2015
Exhibition: A Universal Truth Dates: 11 April – 10 June 2015 Venue: Barnadas Huang, 61 Duxton Road, Singapore 089525 Hours: Tue – Fri 12 – 7pm; Sat 11 – 7pm; Sun 11 – 6pm (Closed on Mon) Web: www.barnadashuang.com
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王泗妹戲團 Hokkien Opera A photo-documentary by Arron Teo
Arron Teo photo-documents 王泗妹戲團 Hokkien Opera performance on stage and the little details behind the scenes. Arron hopes to document our local 'wayangs' in Singapore before their eventual farewell ...
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In preparation for
The Enlightened One Images of Gautama Buddha in Contemporary Art Written by Vidhya Gnana Gouresan
One can encounter many buddhas. However, there is only one Gautama Buddha. In the same spirit, there may be many exhibitions in a year, but only one Gnani Arts blockbuster exhibition. Gnani Arts, in an absolutely positive spirit, is all set and ready to present its blockbuster exhibition of the year – ‘The Enlightened One: Images of Gautama Buddha in Contemporary Art’. Under my curation, it has been scheduled to be staged at the ION Art Gallery (Singapore) from 18 to 24 May 2015. This significant showcase celebrates an irrefutably powerful anthropomorphic representation of a subject that entails great art historical emphasis and that embodies an international reputation for its profound metaphorical and philosophical symbolism. The dynamic team of artists for this exhibition has been provided with the intriguing option of personalising and/or localising the image of Gautama Buddha, within an informed context that is visually-legitimate, in view of the pre-conceived notions of the visual representation of the image. With a conscious sincerity towards the curatorial trajectory, every artist of the exhibition has been urged to pursue an 'inner' research. As a creative being, the artist contextualises and formulates every artwork of the exhibition. The devoted participation of the artist is never to be underrated as the artist is absolutely valuable and is of utmost importance, as he/she plays an integral role in establishing a deliberately-individualised, artist-specific manifestation of my curatorial and conceptual intention. The artist thinks. The artist feels. The artist re-creates the image of Gautama Buddha and attempts to realise what it conveys to him/her, as the artist senses the pulse of the image, beyond its inevitable historical, religious, sociological and geographical connotations. Technique is imperative, no doubt. But narrative is as important. And so, the artist endows his/her image of Gautama Buddha with a story that will effortlessly engage the viewer, a salient but silent story that beams with the joy and challenge of embracing the subjective degrees of reverberating appreciation on the viewer’s part. The principle collection of the exhibition will feature paintings by senior and emerging artists from Singapore, Cambodia, India and 16
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Awakening
Stephane Delapree, A Very Very Good Man, acrylic on canvas, 90 x 90 cm, 2015
Sri Lanka, including Alpana Ahuja, Alphonso Doss, Anila Ayilliath, KV Dhilna Amar, Gauri Gupta, P. Gnana, Harshini Sudarshan, Ika Forssell, Jayatri Saha, J. Kalidass, Kavita Aras Rajput, Mona Singhania, Raja Segar, Revati Rao, Sachin Kedari, Shalini, Sheena Bharathan, Sheetal Agarwal, Sonali Mohanty, Stephane Delapree, Sunaina Bhalla and the late M. Suriyamoorthy. The Enlightened One: Images of Gautama Buddha in Contemporary Art will allow you to indulge in yet another realm of aesthetic improvisation, under the fascinating and all-encompassing hood of creative contemporaneity. Get ready for 18 May 2015, to celebrate the many personalisations and localisations of one single image that assertively represents the Buddhist universe within the acceptable dichotomy of the sacred and the secular. Exhibition: The Enlightened One: Images of Gautama Buddha in Contemporary Art Dates: 18 – 24 May 2015 Venue: ION Art Gallery Contact: gnani_arts@yahoo.com.sg or visit www.gnaniarts.com
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Affordable Art Fair Spring Edition 2015
This spring, the Affordable Art Fair Singapore is back with over 70 galleries offering new and fresh works. Joining in the galleries is the SG50 Feature Wall showcasing selected artworks from 50 artists at only $500. Fifty percent of the proceeds will go to Playeum, a registered charity that inspires play and creativity with children in Singapore, and 50% will go back to the artist. With two specially crafted artist studios, visitors can interact with both traditional print and conceptual art in a fun, informative way. At the pop-up print studio and artist's home studio, it becomes visible how a creative idea turns into a real life artwork. At Art and Printmaking Studio, artists will create works on-site. Visitors are invited to try out one of the demonstrated techniques themselves and to take home their very own mini print. Singapore’s Post-Internet Pop Art maverick ZXEROKOOL will present his secret lair studio at the fair. His unique blend of visual Kung-Fu will appear in unexpected places around the show. As AAF's official Artist in Residence, ZXEROKOOL invites visitors to journey into a voyage of contemporary Art Escapism and to participate in an experimental InstagramComic-Book- Cover-Ar t bonanza, where the first prize is a limited edition SINGA-PLEX print. This Spring Edition is headed by its new director, Alan Koh, the Affordable Art Fair Singapore’s previous marketing manager since it arrived here five years ago. Event: Affordable Art Fair Singapore Dates: 17 – 19 April 2015 Venue: F1 Pit Building Website: www.affordableartfair.com/singapore
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Tropical Nudes in Print Yeo Siak Goon introducing limited edition prints of artist-selected works at Affordable Art Fair Spring Edition 2015
Yeo Siak Goon, The Rocking Chair, 2012, 120 x 100 cm
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news Known for his newest style of acrylic paintings of tropical islands and gentle nude figures, The Art Fellas' exclusive artist Yeo Siak Goon is introducing limited edition prints of artist-selected works. Born in Malaysia in 1957, Yeo moved to Singapore when he was 14 years old to study art, and has since resided here. Yeo has developed his own unique style which sets him apart from other artists of his generation. The tranquil aqua-toned beaches in Yeo’s paintings herald back to a simple childhood in Malaysia. The bareness of the supple female Yeo Siak Goon, Break Corals, 2012, 80 x 100 cm bodies allows them to ease inconspicuously into the natural surroundings, flanked by large palm trees and carved wooden banisters. Working with tropical hues of orange and gold, Yeo highlights every graceful curve and crevice, showcasing his understanding of his environment and the female body. The serene scenes draw onlookers onto the shaded beach fronts of the tropical island, stirring a longing in them to shed their inhibitions and shake off the restraints of the chaotic city life to get back in touch with nature. Besides Yeo Siak Goon’s recent solo exhibition “the affair” with The Art Fellas in February, he has had three other solo shows and has represented Singapore in several exhibitions overseas in China, Japan, Korea, France and New York. He has received three Tan Tsze Chor Awards as well as the First Prize in UOB’s Painting of the Year competition. Yeo’s works are collected by the National Gallery Singapore; ARMA Museum, Bali; Four Seasons Hotel, Chicago, USA; United Overseas Bank; International Enterprise Singapore; IBM Singapore; American Club; Cathay Organization; Pontiac Land; Capella Singapore and many local and overseas collectors. An esteemed artist with a distinct individual style, Yeo’s introduction of limited edition prints for artist-selected works will appeal to many new and seasoned collectors alike. Event: Affordable Art Fair Spring Edition 2015 Dates: 17 – 19 April 2015 Venue: The Art Fellas Booth 2A-16, Paddock 1, Level 2, F1 Pit Building For sales and enquiries: 6702 4001/ 6702 4003, info@theartfellas.com
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Never Say No Leading Indonesian artist Entang Wiharso explores alternative methods & materials on residency with STPI
Entang Wiharso, Black Goat, 2014, Š Entang Wiharso/STPI
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A firm believer of borderless art, Entang Wiharso creates provocative works that speak volumes about the universal issues of power, dreams, loss and love – exploring broad catagories of ideology, philosophy and identity through ancient narrative tools and contemporary materials. Instantly recognisable, his visual vocabulary of distorted human figures interconnected by tongues, tails and intestines, masterfully weaves concepts with social commentary and personal reflections, delivering a most raw and compelling representation of the world and humanity as he sees it. At STPI, Entang translates his large-scale fantastical prose in the realm of print – reinvigorating methods by incorporating alternative materials like wires and nails in the print and papermaking process. Having discovered the possibilities of the multifaceted medium, the artist has also embarked on a different trajectory, producing artworks that explore strong socio-political concerns and the idea of borders, division and differences in new forms that employ acrylic and paper pulp – both never before seen in the artist’s oeuvre. As one of Indonesia’s most active artist today, Entang has participated in Art Stage Singapore (2014), the 55th Venice
Artist’s work in progress. Entang Wiharso in the STPI artist studio during his first residency in April. © Entang Wiharso/STPI. All residency photos courtesy of the Artist and STPI.
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Biennale, Prague Biennale 6, Yogyakarta Biennale XI and Indonesia 2nd Open Terra Cotta Biennale (2007). His works are part of notable collections such as The Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA), Beijing, China; National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia; OHD Museum of Modern & Contemporary Indonesian Art, Magelang, Indonesia; Rubell Family Collection, Miami, USA; Singapore Art Museum, Singapore; Indonesia Art Institute and Taman Budaya Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. He lives and works in Rhode Island, USA and Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Artist’s work in progress. Entang Wiharso in the STPI artist studio during his first residency in April. © Entang Wiharso/STPI. All residency photos courtesy of the Artist and STPI.
Exhibition: Never Say No Dates: 25 April – 30 May 2015 Venue: STPI, 41 Robertson Quay, Singapore 238236 Hours: Tue – Fri 10am – 7pm, Sat 9am – 6pm, Closed on Sun and PH Website: www.stpi.com.sg
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The Buddhas of Bamiyan were two 6th-century monumental statues of standing Buddha carved into the side of a cliff in the Bamyan valley in the Hazarajat region of central Afghanistan, 230 km northwest of Kabul at an altitude of 2,500 meters.
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A Traveller’s Reverie Photographic Memories of Afghanistan’s Past
A TRAVELLER’S REVERIE: Photographic Memories of Afghanistan’s Past is a unique photographic exhibition of Afghanistan and its people from 1925 to 1934, when the country opened up to the outside world and saw foreign influence for the very first time. Curated and designed by Olivier Rolland, the 32 black-and-white images and 50 stereoscopic or 3D pictures show landscapes and Afghan people in their everyday lives, in souks, villages and the countryside. A significant part of the exhibition is dedicated to the viewing of authentic 3-dimensional pictures of a past age. It is little known how popular and widespread the art of 3D was before 1930. Especially for the exhibition, the stereoscopics or 3D pictures have been processed from the scans of the original photographic glass plates. “The technique makes the pictures all the more vivid and moving. And acts as a crystal ball. There is a stark contrast between the immediacy and intimacy of these close views of people you can almost touch, and the unmistakable feeling that this is a bygone era, never to be seen again.” says Mr Rolland. The Exhibition offers views of contemporary events, and highlights the epic of the first archaeological research and excavations, that unveiled the rich and complex historical layers of this land.
“The purpose of this exhibition is to share with visitors a glimpse of a unique and special distant culture. This window on Afghanistan’s past was opened to me as a child when I stumbled upon a treasure trove of pictures taken by my grand-father, Albert Léon, almost a Olivier Rolland century ago.”
Exhibition: A TRAVELLER’S REVERIE: Photographic Memories of Afghanistan’s Past Dates: 2 – 22 April 2015 Venue: SOCIETE GENERALE Gallery, Alliance française de Singapour Hours: Mon – Fri 11am – 7pm; Sat 11am – 5pm; Sun and PH Closed
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Hugging The Shore NTU CCA Singapore introduces its new overarching framework PLACE.LABOUR.CAPITAL with a solo exhibition by Simryn Gill
Hugging the Shore is the first major solo exhibition in Southeast Asia of Singapore born artist Simryn Gill, who currently lives and works in Australia and Malaysia. Simryn Gill’s artistic practice carries a sensitivity towards the everyday and unpacks the complexities of our world from various angles and subjectivities. Much of her work results from a process of sifting through and exploring her immediate surroundings in acts of collecting, writing, reading, archiving or photographing.
Simryn Gill, photograph from Dalam (2001). Courtesy of the artist.
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Simryn Gill, photograph from Standing Still (2000 - 03). Courtesy of the artist.
The exhibition brings together a large body of works that reveal the artist’s specific attitude towards ways of seeing and understanding the world around us. The photography series is the result of a durational process, of hours of looking, wandering and collecting, translated into hundreds and hundreds of photographs. Standing Still (2000-03) captures a large number of ambitious building projects across Malaysia abandoned before completion in the wake of the Asian financial crisis in the late 1990s, instigating a reflection on modern ruins and historical layers that define our landscape. The series Dalam (2001) comprises 260 photographs of living rooms taken across West Malaysia over a three month period. Dalam, which means ‘indoors’ in the Malay language, looks into
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the production of interior space as a portrayal of ourselves but also the fragile relation between host and guest, the conventions and boundaries that define the delicate realm of hospitality. May 2006 (2006) is an ambitious body of work consisting of 800 photographs that traces a one-month journey by foot in the artist’s neighbourhood in Sydney. The work is paradigmatic of Simryn Gill’s approach in “understanding the place as a verb rather than as a noun, which exists in our doings: walking, talking, living”. Simryn Gill’s new work, Like Leaves (Syzygium grandis) uses leaves from the Syzygium grande species of tree, or the Sea Apple Tree which is found throughout the coastal areas in parts of Southeast Asia. Presented as pinned leaves, the work draws attention to surface, material, its process of making, but also the lifespan of the work which gradually perishes throughout the exhibition time. The metaphor of Hugging the Shore, a reference to John Updike’s 1983 collection of essays and reviews, can be conceived as a way of seeing and approaching the world that traverses throughout Simryn Gill's large group of works. It is an act of stepping back, as a way to allow ourselves to be absorbed into the overall picture. Hugging the Shore is the first exhibition under NTU CCA Singapore’s overarching framework for the year, PLACE.LABOUR.
Simryn Gill, photograph from May 2006 (2006). Courtesy of the artist.
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Simryn Gill, Jambu Sea, Jambu Air (2013) offset printed publication, Roygbiv editions, Sydney. Courtesy of the artist. [Reference to Like Leaves (Syzygium grandis), 2015]
CAPITAL. This open-ended research and curatorial project addresses the complexities of a world in flux and the dynamic relations between local and global. The notion of place as a locale often fades into the background, how does labour, routes of migration, and flows of global capital impact upon smaller scale? Singapore – the world’s second largest trading port and an economic epicentre of Southeast Asia serves as point of departure to examine place, labour, and capital. Exhibition: Dates: Venue: Hours:
Simryn Gill: Hugging the Shore 27 March – 14 June 2015 NTU Centre for Contemporary Art, Block 43 Malan Road Gillman Barracks, Singapore 109443 Tue – Sun 12 – 7pm, Fri 12 – 9pm, Closed on Mon, Open on PH
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Zhang Linhai “SandBox Series”
Zhang Linhai, Sandbox Series,180 x 70 cm, oil on canvas, 2012
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Born in Shanghai in 1963, Zhang Linhai had a troubled childhood. Abandoned in an orphanage as a baby, he was adopted by a poor rural couple at the age of one, and was relocated to an impoverished village near the Tai Hang Mountains. Though taken into a loving family, Zhang LinHai suffered from numerous illnesses as a child, including polio, which left him crippled. Encountering a legion of setbacks and defying all odds set against him as an indigent farmer’s son, Zhang LinHai finally graduated from TianJin Academy of Fine Arts in 1990. Since then he was set to become one of China’s most highly regarded painters, converting the bitter irony of his life into the genius of his art. Zhang LinHai’s work delicately tiptoes the line between realism and surrealism, and produces a potent narrative that captures the turbulence of the Cultural Revolution in China. Directly inspired by the tragedy of his childhoods, the poverty he grew up in, and the physical disability he endured, his artworks create an illusionary world through which he finds salvation. The works articulate a myriad of emotions, sadness, fear, desolation and alienation. However, his signature motif of a bold young boy has an ethereal quality, personifying his dreams of freedom, a tribute to his continual perseverance in life. In some of his more recent works, the child is no longer the hero, instead replaced by an emblematic animal, composing a poetic introspective triggered Zhang Linhai, Sandbox Series by his dystopian view of society. 140 x 190 cm, oil on canvas, 2011 Purely personal and highly politically charged, Zhang LinHai’s work is a hauntingly beautiful commentary of the struggles of inequality, poverty and loneliness, woven in with a strange feeling of nostalgia. Exhibition: Dates: Venue: Hours:
Sandbox Series by Zhang Linhai 10 April – 31 May 2015 MoCA@Loewen, 27A Loewen Road 10am – 6pm daily
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Shannon Castleman, Jurong West Street 81 2008, Collection of the artist
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AFTER UTOPIA AFTER UTOPIA examines humanity’s eternal yearning for a better world. Pivoting on ideas about ideals and principles, the exhibition comprises iconic works of Southeast Asian and Asian contemporary art drawn from SAM’s permanent collection, as well as private collections and new commissions. The exhibition unfolds in four chapters, the first of which examines the imagery of the garden as a metaphor – both for an Edenic paradise lost as well as one that has been found, reimagined and re-imaged as a romanticised ‘Other’. The second turns the eye on the structures we inhabit and the way we live, simultaneously reminding us of modern architecture and urban planning’s utopian impulse and how these ideals have fallen short when translated into reality. Ideologies that have left an indelible mark on the last century and on which societies and nations have been built are examined in the third chapter. Finally, we are reminded that ‘utopia’ (from its Greek roots) also means ‘no-place’ and is an idealised world that can exist nowhere except, perhaps, within ourselves. Exhibition: Dates: Venue: Hours:
AFTER UTOPIA 30 April – 18 October 2015 Singapore Art Museum 71 Bras Basah Rd Singapore 189555 Mon – Sun 10am – 7pm Fri 10am – 9pm
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Blurred Visions
Firenze-06, 89 x 130 cm, oil on canvas, 2010
‘Place of Memories, Cities’ showcases various reinterpretations of cities from Daeho Guk’s travels. The artist takes photographs of unfamiliar places – snapshots of accidental and ordinary moments in everyday life – and subjectively recreates them in his studio. Skillfully utilizing the dual nature of photographs in his paintings, Guk takes the memory of the places he visited as a foreigner and transfers them onto the canvas. Cities are depicted beyond appearances, and evoke the illusion of places the viewer has visited. Stemming from the artist’s appreciation for the camera’s “blurry effect” or “bokeh”, the out of focus areas exist in the shape of “light drops”, featuring various landscapes in oil paint. Daeho Guk (b. 1967 in Korea) completed his BFA in Painting from Seoul National University in 1992, followed by his MFA from 36
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Napoli-10, 112 x 162 cm, oil on canvas, 2011
the department of Arts Plastiques, Paris 8 National University in 1998. Dae Ho Guk was listed as budding artist for the year by the Gallery Association in Paris in 1996, and selected as one of the best young artists by the Young Artists Association in France. His works are in the collections of several of Korea’s major museums, including the National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea, Busan Museum of Art, Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art, Daelim Museum, Gwwangju Museum of Art and 63 Sky Museum. He had his first solo exhibition in 1995, since then he has held a total of 34 solo shows and participated in numerous group exhibitions, art fairs and biennales in Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Miami, Dhaka, Sydney and Rotterdam. Exhibition: Places of Memories, Cities Dates: 9 – 30 April 2015 Opening: 9 April (Thursday), 6.30 – 10 pm Venue: TAKSU Singapore, 43 Jalan Merah Saga #01-72 Workloft @ Chip Bee, Singapore 278115 Hours: Tue – Sat 10am – 7pm, Sun 12pm – 6pm, closed on Monday Website: www.taksu.com
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Intimacy Jiang Pengyi Solo Exhibition Jiang Pengyi creates surreal, illusory yet delicate images mostly on film. Known for his relentless experimentation and exploration on light with time, space and various medium, he is named The Explorer of Light by Gu Zheng, one of China’s most influential photography theorists and art critics.
Jiang Pengyi, Intimacy No 8
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His series ‘Intimacy’ capture reflections of light, in which he produces the artwork on fluorescent paper and photographic film by applying a silver salt treatment. The ‘Inconsolable Memories’ is a series of Polaroids, which the artist describes as memories left by a gerontic man. Jiang Pengyi’s study of light encompasses the basis of occurrence and tolerance, reflecting the spiritual level of
Jiang Pengyi, Intimacy No 7
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an artist communicating with, presenting and absolutely comprehending light. JIANG Pengyi was born in Yuanjiang, Hunan Province, in 1977, graduated from the China Academy of Art, and currently lives and works in Beijing. He was awarded the Aletti ArtVerona Prize for Photography in 2011, the Jury Grand Prize from the Société Générale Chinese Art Awards in 2010 and the Tierney Fellowship Award from the First Annual Three Shadows Photography Award in 2009. Jiang’s work has been collected by a variety of private
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and public institutions worldwide, including Guy & Myriam Ullens Foundation Collection in Switzerland, the French Regional Contemporary Art Fund of the Loire Region in France, the Tierney Family Foundation and ArtNow Contemporary Art Collections. Exhibition: Intimacy: Jiang Pengyi Solo Exhibition Dates: 28 March – 17 May 2015 Venue: ShanghART Singapore, 9 Lock Road, #02-22 Gillman Barracks Hours: 11am – 7pm (Closed on Monday) Website: www.shanghartsingapore.com
Jiang Pengyi, Inconsolable Memories No 6
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New Silk Roads Painting Beyond Borders For the first time in Singapore, fine modern and contemporary art from the Central Asian states of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan will be featured in a major show centering upon the region’s artists. The exhibition’s main theme is the Silk Road or roads, the great network of overland and maritime highways connecting East Asia – through Central Asia – and Europe, since the 3rd century BC. While building on the notion of the roads as conduits for exchange, the exhibition will introduce a fresh perspective by focusing on the modern artistic culture of the Central Asian region. The showcase includes over thirty paintings, depicting subjects ranging from metaphorical landscapes, psychological states, traditional symbols, and abstract and semi-abstract compositions to portraits, highlighting the sophisticated breadth and depth of post-Soviet Central Asian painting. This art emerged from newly independent nationstates built upon much older traditional societies, as they 42
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deal with the challenges and advantages of ongoing shifts in cultural, spiritual, economic and geopolitical realities. Among the four artists who present their work are cultural medalists, whose artworks belong to national museums and international private collections. Given the eminence of the artists in their own countries, many of their works to be included in New Silk Roads will be unavailable for overseas ownership in time to come as they are upgraded to the status of national treasures. Also presented in the exhibition are paintings by the up-and-coming Singapore-based Serbian artist Filip Gudovic, who, like a true maritime Silk Road explorer, has sojourned in Southeast Asia for over a decade. The exhibition is presented by ENE Gallery, whose mission is to make Central Asian art accessible.
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Fayzulla Akhmadaliev, Baha-ud-Din Naqshband, 2010. Oil, hand-woven cotton, hemp and additional media, 252 x 164.5 cm
Exhibition: New Silk Roads: Painting Beyond Borders Dates: 21 – 27 April 2015 Venue: ION Art Gallery, 4th Floor, ION Orchard, Singapore 238801 Hours: 10 am – 9.45 pm Web: www.enecentralasianart.com
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reviews
LOOK KCAB
[PURPLE]: women of mankind In celebration of One East Asia’s fifth anniversary on 5th March 2015
reviews
reviews
Martell celebrates 300th anniversary in Singapore with the release of Martell Premier Voyage, encased in an artwork designed by French artist Bernar Venet at Art Plural Gallery
reviews
Rene Robles – New Works presented by Momentous Arts
Solo Exhibition by Thai artist Knakorn Kachacheewa at Ode To Art
events
Exhibitions & Events
For more events and updates please go to www.sagg.info Reception
Exhibition
Performance
Guided Tour
Music
Workshop
Film
Kids
Talk/Reading Lecture
Festival Art Fair
Trace. A 4-part series exhibition on tracing the photographic development in Singapore. Till 21 Apr 2902 Gallery is a Singapore-based contemporary art photography gallery dedicated to provide a platform to contemporary artists who use photography as a medium. 2902 Gallery 120A Prinsep Street www.2902gallery.com Opening Hours: Tue – Sun 12 – 7pm; closed Mon and PH map no. 134
Affordable Art Fair – Spring Edition. This spring, the Affordable Art Fair Singapore is back with over 70 galleries offering new and fresh works. Joining in the galleries is the SG50 Feature Wall showcasing selected artworks from 50 artists at only $500. Fifty percent of the proceeds will go to Playeum, a registered charity that inspires play and creativity with children from all walks of life in Singapore, and 50% will go back to the artist. Friday, 17 April: 12 – 6 pm Saturday, 18 April: 11 – 8 pm Sunday, 19 April: 11 – 6 pm Affordable Art Fair F1 Pit Building www.affordableartfair.com/singapore
Original Prints 2015 at the Affordable Art Fair Singapore. Ten artists created a new series of woodcuts, etchings, collagraphs and linocuts for the 5th edition of Original Prints. Organized by the Art and Printmaking Studio. Find us at the Affordable Art Fair, the Printmaking Workshop at the third floor. 17 – 19 Apr, at Affordable Art Fair Art and Printmaking Studio Block 28 Woking Road # 03 - 05 % 9653 5051 Fax 9653 5051 www.marisakeller.com, www.artprintmakingstudio.com map no. 554
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events ArtBlue Studio is one of Singapore’s leading suppliers of Vietnamese lacquer and oil paintings and offers clients some of the most exciting artworks from Vietnam, along with a satisfaction-guaranteed service. ArtBlue Studio 23 Yong Siak Street, Tiong Bahru % 9752 5458 www.artbluestudio.com
UTOPIAN PICTURES by Gilbert & George. Till 05 Apr I Know You Got Soul. Group exhibition with Phoebe Collings-James, Amy Feldman, JPW3, Kika Karadi, Hugo McCloud, Joshua Nathanson, Amir Nikravan, Leif Ritchey, Alex Ruthner, Travess Smalley, Marianne Vitale, Brenna Youngblood, Jeff Zilm. 19 Apr – 21 Jun ARNDT Singapore stages shows of leading international artists as well as projects and curated shows featuring Southeast Asian art. ARNDT Singapore Gillman Barracks, BLK 9 (3rd Floor) Lock Road % 6734 0775 www.arndtberlin.com Opening Hours: Tue – Sat 11am – 7pm, Sun 11am – 6pm
Diego Rivera: Pride of Mexico. Ranging from landscapes to still life, portraits, nudes and scenes of indigenous daily life, Rivera's works deploy a range of techniques in painting, aquarelle, collage, pencil, coal and ink drawings. Till 12 Apr Journey in Art, 40 Years of Painting: Retrospective by Fan Shao Hua. A showcase of over 60 works that charts Fan's artistic journey as an art student in China to his present artistic practice. About 40 works will be Singapore-themed pieces ranging from old street scenes, changing landscapes of the nation to even large-scale portraits of the former Minister Mentor, Mr Lee Kuan Yew. Till 08 Apr Beauty born not made: Sori Yanagi. Featuring prototypes of his highly acclaimed designs such as the iconic Butterfly Stool and the Elephant Stool, this exhibition also presents the vast repertoire of Yanagi-san’s designs from public sculpture and bridges to the Olympic Torch as well as his series of anonymous designs in prints. 29 Apr – 17 May Art Galleries at NAFA 80 Bencoolen Street % 6512 4043 www.nafa.edu.sg Opening Hours: Tue – Sun 11am – 7pm. Closed on Monday. map no. 131
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events From Earth and Metal: Contemporary Sculpture is a group sculpture exhibition featuring renowned international artists Bernar Venet, Pablo Reinoso, Jedd Novatt, Armen Agop and Yves Dana, celebrating the power of sculpture to re-define our environment. Inert in their existence yet dynamic in form, the artists masterfully seize natural and industrial materials such as bronze, steel, wood and stone to achieve profound connections between man, matter and metaphysics. Till 16 May Art Plural Gallery 38 Armenian Street % 6636 8360 www.artpluralgallery.com Opening Hours: Mon to Sat 11am – 7pm map no. 144
Da Vinci: Shaping the Future. The refreshed displays include a new collection of 13 original pages of the Codex Atlanticus, da Vinci’s largest notebook, and three new paintings from the School of da Vinci. Till May Prudential Singapore Eye Exhibition is the largest survey on Singapore contemporary art and also a museum-quality exhibition of the country's best artists. Till 28 Jun ArtScience Museum™ at Marina Bay Sands 10 Bayfront Avenue www.marinabaysands.com/ArtScienceMuseum Opening Hours: 10am – 7pm daily map no. 181
Ink Extraordinaire by Liu Guo, Fan Shao Hua and Gui Zhao Hai. Ink Extraordinaire is a showcase of works by three accomplished contemporary artists working in the medium of Chinese ink: Liu Guo (b.1956), Fan Shao Hua (b.1963) and Gui Zhao Hai (b.1974). After five decades of artistic practice, numerous academic positions and exhibitions worldwide, Liu Guo has established himself amongst his contemporaries as a master painter of the Chinese landscape. Fan Shao Hua has established himself as one of the premier Asian artist today, having received many achievements and accolades. Gui Zhao Hai's landscape works derive from a great emphasis on being rooted in life and respectful to the canonical tradition of Chinese painting. 10 – 18 Apr, at ION Art Gallery, ION Orchard Level 4, 2 Orchard Turn Asia Art Collective (Consultancy & Gallery) 19 Tanglin Road, #03-42 Tanglin Shopping Centre % 6733 2155 www.asiaartcollective.com Opening Hours: 11am – 7pm daily map no. 518
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events Chinese Zodiac Heads: A Gift from Jackie Chan. To celebrate the Year of the Goat, the ACM displays for the first time the 12 zodiac animal heads donated by celebrated film star Jackie Chan. Till 01 May Ancient Religions traces the spread of religions from India to China, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia. A thousand years of sculpture show the change from early cults to international forms of Hinduism and Buddhism. ongoing Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) 1 Empress Place % 6332 7798 www.acm.org.sg Opening Hours: Mon 1pm – 7pm, Tue – Sun 9am – 7pm, Fri 9am – 9pm) map no. 104
A Universal Truth by Mónica Dixon. Space, to Mónica Dixon, is a presence and an absence. It is also an instrument she wields with skilful precision to challenge our ideas and perception of our individual identities. In “A Universal Truth”, Mónica explores the dichotomy between what we are and who we are. To do so, she takes a series of deceptively simple images and forces us to consider the division between the physical spaces of house – a structure we take for granted – and the social construct of a home. 11 Apr – 10 May Barnadas Huang 61 Duxton Road % 6635 4707 www.barnadashuang.com Opening Hours: Tues – Fri 12 – 7pm; Sat 11 – 7pm; Sun 11 – 6pm; Closed on Mondays no. 308
Nanyang Classics: Second-Generation Singaporean Artists is Cape of Good Hope Art Gallery’s first exhibition of 2015. In celebration of SG50, the gallery will be featuring 9 notable local artists who have maintained and developed the arts and culture in Singapore. Their works will be exhibited at the iconic heritage building of The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, an ideal setting to highlight the regional style found in the artists’ works. The efforts of these Singapore artists in preserving a national style, advancing and broadening the regional art deserve to be recognised. 02 – 29 Apr, Venue: The Fullerton Heritage and East Garden Foyer Gallery, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore Cape of Good Hope Art Gallery 140 Hill Street, #01-06 % 6733 3822 www.capeofgoodhope.com.sg no. 108
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events Introduction to Contemporary Art History. This 5 sessions series starts by reviewing the path from Modern to Contemporary Art to current days. Reviews include Pop Art, Conceptual Art, Art as Attitude, Art as a Material, etc. Till 15 Apr, evening weekly sessions Introduction to Modern Art History – Bridging the Centuries from Manet to Picasso. An overview of modern art history starting with the Impressionists. Artists featured include Monet, Cezanne, Van Gogh, Matisse, Picasso, Jawlensky and more. Till 16 Apr evening weekly session For more information and registration please go to www.corcovadoarts.com. Corcovado Arts offers quick yet comprehensive courses that will equip any nonart major with the necessary tools to better understand and appreciate modern and contemporary art. Corcovado Arts courses@corcovadoarts.com www.corcovadoarts.com
Ben is Ben, is Ben is Ben: a solo exhibition by Ben Puah. The secret harmony of disharmony: Ben does not seek to create the sophistries of reasonable images but what is torturously behind thought, the stirring live quality of ambiguity. He works in direct connection to the deepest vital substratum, a quickening pulse pushing him into action. He is only responsive to his here and now. For this exhibition, Flaneur Gallery presents 5 paintings and 2 sculptures by Ben Puah. Not unlike his peers, Ben adopts appropriation as a nexus of operation. In this series of paintings executed in 2014, he alludes to the impact of mass entertainment television diet of the 1990s – involving Hong Kong wuxia and drama serials, Chinese legends and folklores. 02 – 12 Apr, Opening Reception: 02 Apr, 7pm Light Breaks (Where No Sun Shines): a solo exhibition by Vincent Chow. Art is often about grappling with working with the unknown. We are often unsure of what lies dormant or inert within us, and it takes a certain kind of substance, also unbeknownst to us, that causes us to move and be duly moved. Vincent Chow’s paintings look to capture that tidal shift in our emotions, in search for the push and pull of both artistic dilemma and affirmation. Paying heed to the artist’s inclinations and employing subtle, suggestive expressions that guide rather than announce to evoke the viewer, Chow taps into the innate nature of an artist’s hand to achieve a complementary balance that is primitive and sensitively abstract. 16 – 26 Apr, Opening Reception: 16 Apr, 7pm Flaneur Gallery 129 Jalan Besar www.flaneur.sg Opening Hours: Tue – Sat 11am – 7pm, Sun 1pm – 6pm map no. 204
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events Nanyang Classics: Second-Generation Singapore Artists. Cape of Good Hope Art Gallery is honoured to celebrate Singapore’s 50th anniversary by acknowledging the individuals who are key players in maintaining and developing the arts and culture in Singapore. Nanyang Classics: Second-Generation Singapore Artists spotlights a group of notable local artists who have both upheld traditions and continued to push creative boundaries: Ang Ah Tee, Choy Weng Yang, Eng Siak Loy, Goh Beng Kwan, Koeh Sia Yong, Leo Hee Tong, Lim Tze Peng, Low Puay Hua and Nai Swee Leng are 9 local artists who have received recognition in their selected medium, Acrylic, Calligraphy, Chinese Ink, Oil and Watercolour. They deserve recognition for their continuous efforts in developing the art of the region. Their efforts in preserving a national style, advancing and broadening the regional style, are paving the way for the future art and artists of Singapore. 02 – 29 Apr, at East Garden Foyer Gallery and The Fullerton Heritage Gallery Fullerton Hotel Singapore (The Fullerton Heritage) 1 Fullerton Square % 6557 2590 www.thefullertonheritage.com map no. 101
Dapunta Hyang: Transmission of Knowledge, by Zai Kuning. This installation explores the structure of warring ships in this region. For this purpose, the artist chose his own ancestry – Bugis of Makkasar – as the Bugis warlords were one of the most sophisticated ship builders, and chose the Phinisi boat – which combines the design of a fishing boat and a warring ship – as his inspiration. He envisaged a 7th century world where ships were vessels seeking power, fortune and magic power, each vessel a house of knowledge and a dungeon of death and torture. Till 19 Apr Esplanade, Concourse Steps 1 Esplanade Drive www.esplanade.com map no. 100
Specializing in contemporary art and master’s pieces, the family Group Galeries Bartoux includes fifteen galleries located in France, in the United States and in Singapore. Galeries Bartoux Singapore ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn #01-12A/13 % 6634 8806 www.galeries-bartoux.com Opening Hours: Sun – Thu 10am – 9.30pm, Friday and Saturday 10am – 10pm map no. 501
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events Gajah Gallery is a Singapore based art gallery that explores the diverse concerns of contemporary Southeast Asia through art from the region. Established in 1996, Gajah Gallery is dedicated to the promotion of Southeast Asian Contemporary Art with a particular emphasis on the Indonesian Contemporary. Gajah Gallery 140 Hill Street, Old Hill Street Police Station #01-08 % 6737 4202 www.gajahgallery.com Opening Hours: Mon – Fri 11am – 7pm, Sat, Sun & PH 12pm – 6pm map no. 110
Founded in early 2003, Gnani Arts has been a local and regional trend-setter within its area of research, curation and collection expertise – South Indian contemporary art by masters and international artists. Gnani Arts #02-02A, 41 Kallang Pudding Road Golden Wheel Building % 6735 3550 www.gnaniarts.com Opening Hours: by appointment
Galerie Belvedere, establised in 1996, is a leading Singapore art gallery and consultancy. The gallery represents several leading European and Asian artists and specializes in providing suitable artworks to corporate buyers and has a comprehensive range of art and services. The gallery also holds numerous high profile exhibitions. Galerie Belvedere 140 Hill Street, Old Hill Street Police Station #01-10/11/12 % 6423 1233 www.galerie-belvedere.com Opening Hours: Mon – Fri 11am – 7pm, Sat/Sun 12 – 5pm map no. 107
Artists imagine a nation: SG50 brings together figurative works by 36 artists from the 1930s to the present. Displayed in a special architecture designed for the ICA Singapore’s largest lower-level galleries, the exhibition presents diverse views of local people and places. Till 19 Apr Institute of Contemporary Arts Singapore (ICAS) LASALLE College of the Arts 1 McNally Street % 6496 5070 www.lasalle.edu.sg Opening Hours: 10am – 6pm, except Mon & PH map no. 132
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events HaKaren Art Gallery is a leading specialist in contemporary Chinese art featuring a distinctive selection of fine paintings and sculptures by some of China’s most eminent and exceptional contemporary artists. HaKaren Art Gallery's collection is a showcase of unique, harmonious compositions wording the quintessence of Oriental tradition through modern spatial elements and vibrant colours of the Western palette. HaKaren Art Gallery 19 Tanglin Road #02-43, Tanglin Shopping Center % 6733 3382 www.hakaren.com Opening Hours: Mon – Sat 10.30am – 6.30pm, Sun & Public Holiday 12noon – 6pm map no. 509
Circles. Visit artist Kelly Reedy in her Wessex Estate studio. Please call for an appointment at 9367 7382 or for more information see also www.kellyreedy.com 01 – 30 Apr Kelly Reedy — Studio Arts 27 Woking Road, #01-01 www.kellyreedy.com map no. 553
Geo|Graphic: Celebrating maps and their stories. Sir Stamford Raffles founded Singapore in 1819, but maps dating as far back as 1602 already mark the existence of our island-state, indicating its long-standing importance in trade and politics. Geo|Graphic: Celebrating maps and their stories is a series of curated exhibitions and programmes that showcase how Singapore and the region around it have evolved through hundreds of rare and original maps and creative art pieces. Visitors can explore the exhibition’s five levels (Level 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) and have a look at the history of Singapore and Southeast Asia from the explorer’s perspective. GeoGraphic: Celebrating maps and their stories is made up of four main parts: · Mind the Gap: Mapping the Other – Level 7, 8 and 9 · Land of Gold and Spices: Early Maps of Southeast Asia and Singapore – Level 10 · Island of Stories: Singapore Maps – Level 11 · SEA STATE 8 SEABOOK | An Art Project by Charles Lim – Level 11 Till 19 Jul National Library Singapore 100 Victoria Street www.nlb.gov.sg Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 10am – 9pm (except PH) map no. 213
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events SINGAPURA: 700 Years. Experience Singapore’s transformation through the ages as it went from a humble fishing village to the pride of an empire, before finally achieving the status of being an independent nation-state as it is today. Till 10 Aug PLAY @ National Museum of Singapore. A dedicated area for young children to take their first steps towards museum-going with interactive exhibits and special activities that encourage learning through play. ongoing National Museum of Singapore 93 Stamford Road % 6332 3659 www.nationalmuseum.sg Opening Hours: Daily 10am – 6pm map no. 114
Simryn Gill – Hugging the Shore. Simryn Gill’s first major solo exhibition in Southeast Asia brings together a series of works that reveal the artist’s specific attitude towards how we produce meaning and make a place for ourselves in the world. NTU CCA Singapore presents three photographic series: Standing Still (2000-03), Dalam (2001), May 2006 (2006), and a new work, Like Leaves (2015). 27 Mar – 16 Jun NTU Centre for Contemporary Art 43 Malan Road, Gillman Barracks % 6684 0998 www.facebook.com/CentreForContemporaryArt Opening Hours: Tue – Sun 12 – 7pm; Fri 12 – 9pm. Closed on Mon. Open on public holidays.
Simryn Gill, photograph from Standing Still. Courtesy of the artist.
Chinese Ink Works from Lee Kong Chian Collection of Chinese Art. The Lee Kong Chian Gallery of Chinese art reopened after renovation in January 2015, with a new feature in the gallery: a long-awaited area for the permanent display of the Chinese paintings and calligraphies in the NUS Museum’s Chinese collection. ongoing Between Here and Nanyang: Marco Hsu`s Brief History of Malayan Art. In 1963, Marco Hsu published a series of essays on the cultural history of the people of the Malayan Peninsula, which were compiled into a book published in Chinese in 1963, A Brief History of Malayan Art. Till 30 Apr NUS Museum University Cultural Centre, 50 Kent Ridge Crescent, National University of Singapore % 6516 8817 www.nus.edu.sg/cfa/museum Opening Hours: Tue – Sat 10am – 7:30pm, Sun 10am - 6pm, Mon & PH closed
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events In 2013, Ms Tran Thi Ngoc Hue established Orient Painting, focusing mainly on contemporary Vietnamese art by Luong Luu Bien, Nguyen Trung Nghia, Alan Nguyen, Nguyen Thi Tam, Cao Thi Duoc, Le Duy Trieu, Phuc An, Nguyen Duy Nhut, and Le Vo Tuan. Orient Painting 10A Mount Sophia, #09-12 % +65 8410 5466 (Ms. Coco Ng) www.orientpainting.com map no. 523
[Purple]: Women of Mankind. An exhibition to celebrate the fifth anniversary of One East Asia, Singapore. [Purple]: Women of Mankind brings together 13 outstanding female artists from Asia, who present recent work in the first of five special exhibitions scheduled for 2015. Selected artists include Brenda Zheng Mengtian (China), Tsang Chui Mei (Hong Kong), Joey Leung Ka Yin (Hong Kong), Kanchana Gupta (India), Sri Astari Rasjid (Indonesia), Mai Miyake (Japan), Chong Siew Ying (Malaysia), Valerie Ng (Malaysia), Nann Nann (Myanmar), Aileen Lanuza (Philippines), Rhea Cathrina “Iya” Consorio, Tan Chin Chin (Singapore) and Anchalee Arayapongpanit (Thailand). Till 05 Apr ONE EAST ASIA is a Singapore-based art management organization founded in April 2010. It is dedicated to enriching the appreciation of Southeast Asian Art globally through exhibitions in Singapore and London, international art fairs and not-for-profit events. One East Asia is the sole, officially appointed representative of Sudjojono Center in Singapore. One East Asia 15 Scotts Road, #05-08/09, Thong Teck Building % 6737 1819 Fax 6737 1859 www.oneeastasia.org Opening Hours: Mon – Fri 10am – 6pm, Sat by appointment only, closed on Sun and PH map no. 515
Li Tianbing: Journey of the Lone Monkey. The exhibition ruminates on the solitary figure of the monkey in China’s cultural memory and the artist’s own memories of his childhood, drawing from imagery of the Monkey King from the famous Journey to the West and the monkeys in the wild and in captivity in his hometown Guilin. In this body of new paintings, Li develops his exploration of human themes of loneliness and solitude through the figure of the monkey. 28 Mar – 10 May Pearl Lam Galleries 9 Lock Road, #03-22, Gillman Barracks % 6570 2284 www.pearllam.com
Li Tianbing Me and the Monkey on the Hammock 2014, Oil on canvas, 198 x 198 cm
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events MAAD Pyjamas. A night of pop-ups and a creative showcase of original works, heartfelt compositions and 100% local creative community spirit. By night, the Red Dot Design Museum Singapore transforms into a creative playground with over 60 pop-up appearances from our beloved artistic and design community. 10 Apr, 5pm – midnight red dot design museum 28 Maxwell Road, Red Dot Traffic Building, Ground Floor % 6327 8027 www.museum.red-dot.sg Opening Hours: Mon, Tue & Fri 11am – 6pm, Sat & Sun 11am – 8pm map no. 309
BRETT NEAL at REDSEA Gallery. Channeling the great pop artists of the 20th century, Brett Neal adds to his diverse body of works a series of humorous juxtapositions, combining fine art imagery with a jumble of vintage cartoons, advertising and memorabilia; reminding us not to take art too seriously. Showing at REDSEA Gallery throughout April. REDSEA Gallery Block 9 Dempsey Road, #01-10 Dempsey Hill % 6732 6711 www.redseagallery.com Open daily 9.30am – 9pm. Sun and PH 10.30am – 9pm
‘Gone with the Wind’ by Brett Neal, Oil on Canvas, 100 cm x 100 cm
AFTER UTOPIA examines humanity’s eternal yearning for a better world. Pivoting on ideas about ideals and principles, AFTER UTOPIA comprises iconic works of Southeast Asian and Asian contemporary art drawn from SAM’s permanent collection, as well as private collections and new commissions. 30 Apr – 18 Oct Once Upon This Island. The exhibition presents a series of contemporary works by Singapore artists that navigate ideas of home, community, identity and memories. It addresses museum-goers from all walks of life – from school children to curious adults. ongoing
Shannon Castleman Jurong West Street 81, 2008 Collection of the artist
Medium at Large: Shapeshifting Material and Methods in Contemporary Art explores the idea of medium in contemporary art, examining some of the most fundamental and pressing questions of art – its making, and also our experience, encounter and understanding of it. Till 15 May Singapore Art Museum (SAM) 71 Bras Basah Road % 6332 3222 www.singaporeartmuseum.sg Opening Hours: Mon – Sun 10am – 7pm, Fri 10am – 9pm map no. 116
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events Imaginarium: A Voyage of Big Ideas. Imaginarium is the new edition of SAM’s much-loved annual contemporary art exhibition for children, which is now in its fifth year. This year's exhibition is inspired by the crescent moon on the Singapore flag, a symbol of a young nation on the rise. What might we be able to envision and aspire to? What worlds could we imagine for ourselves and create for others? With interactive and immersive artworks and hands-on activities at every turn, Imaginarium offers creative space where inspiration can bloom freely, and joyfully. Till 19 Jul SAM at 8Q 8 Queen Street, Singapore 189555 www.singaporeartmuseum.sg Opening Hours: Mon – Sun 10am – 7pm, Fri 10am – 9pm map no. 119
A TRAVELLER’S REVERIE: Photographic Memories of Afghanistan’s past is a unique photographic exhibition of Afghanistan and its people from 1925 to 1934, when the country opened up to the outside world and foreign influence for the very first time. On show from the 2nd – 22nd of April 2015, the exhibition, curated and designed by Olivier Rolland, is the result of a selection of black-andwhite photographs, which convey the richness of this forgotten landscape. The exhibition draws together 32 black-and-white images and 50 stereoscopic or 3D pictures of landscapes and Afghan people in their everyday lives, in souks, villages and the countryside. 02 – 22 Apr SOCIETE GENERALE Gallery, Alliance Française 1 Sarkies Road, Singapore 258130 % 6833 9314 Opening Hours: Mon – Fri 11am – 7pm, Sat 11am – 5pm www.alliancefrancaise.org.sg
Solo Exhibition by Ryan Gander. Composed around visual puzzles and unusually assembled objects, the works of UK based Ryan Gander are catalysts for thinking, constantly challenging accustomed conditions and viewer perceptions. Till 10 Apr Never Say No by Entang Wiharso. At STPI, Entang translates his large-scale fantastical prose in the realm of print – reinvigorating methods by incorporating alternative materials like wires and nails in print and papermaking process. 25 Apr – 30 May STPI 41 Robertson Quay % 6336 3663 www.stpi.com.sg Opening Hours: Tue – Fri 10 – 7, Sat 9 – 6, Closed on Sun and PH, Mon by appointment map no. 402
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events Fantastic Voyage – Solo Exhibition by Yen Phang. Painting takes us on a journey through space and time; the paintings of Yen Phang take us deeper into the fantastic voyage of the human anatomy. Inspired by the 1966 movie and Isaac Asimov’s book of the same name, Phang’s new series of paintings takes us in to explore the physiological structure and psychological subterrain of the body. This is Phang’s last exhibition before his voyage to the chilly terrains of Canadian winter. This leave of absence from the tropics allows the body and the mind to rejuvenate, just as Phang is asking his audience to step back and take stock of our physical and mental states. 28 Mar – 10 Apr The Art Fellas Gallery aims to create a platform which engages and integrates artists, collectors and investors. The Art Fellas 46 Kim Yam Road, #02-25, The Herencia % 6702 4001 www.theartfellas.com map no. 404
Located in a beautifully restored historic shophouse, The Sandalwood Room is a quaint and beautiful world of all things unique, ethnic, colorful and sublime inspirations of carefully selected fashion wear, jewelry, home décor and design wear. A place situated at the heart of Singapore, where you can just step in and make a pause, and where contemporary art meets age old traditions. The Sandalwood Room 76 Princep Street, Singapore % 6883 2369 www.thesandalwoodroom.com.sg Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 11am – 8pm; Sat: 11am – 2pm map no. 138
Silkscreen Printing Workshop by Monster Gallery. This workshop will introduce participants to learn how to design, create and print their own tote bags using direct blockout method of silkscreen printing. All materials are provided and participants will take home their own printed totes! Monster Gallery is a creative studio specialising in printmaking. They have exhibited their works at The Substation Gallery (in conjunction with Singapore Night Festival) as well as in Hong Kong and Taiwan. 04 + 18 Apr, 1 – 3pm The Substation 45 Armenian Street % 6337 7535 www.substation.org Opening Hours: 12noon – 9pm map no. 113
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services
Conservation & Restoration
10 Ubi Crescent #03-11 (Lobby B) Ubi Techpark, Singapore 408564 % +65 67602602, +65 91187478 Email: josephine@thepiastudio.com Web: www.thepiastudio.com PIA Preserve In Aesthetics are professional qualified conservators to treat a magnitude of degraded artwork and archival collections and well aligned with aethetics and integrity in both artistic as well as in scientific approach. PIA's services include: • • • • • • • •
Physical condition assessment on collections Consultancy in collection management and storage set-up Professional conservation and restoration treatments Conservation framing Adequate housing and packing of collections for long term storage Regular maintenance service Proper handling and transporting collections Customised talks and training workshops on care and preserving collections
Transportation & Crating Agility Fairs & Events Logistics Pte Ltd
No. 5 Changi North Way, 3rd Floor Singapore 498771 % 6500 0250 Fax: 6214 9592 finearts@agility.com www.agility.com twitter.com/agility linkedin.com/company/agility
Agility Fairs & Events is the first logistics company in Singapore and Asia to be ISO-certified specifically for fine art logistics. We provide full service, end-to-end fine art logistics, utilising our global network of art handling partners, experienced art handlers, modern art storage facility and temperature-controlled air-suspension vehicles, which cater to the sensitive needs of galleries, museums, collectors and artists alike. We have the capacity to handle art installations, as well as special packing and crating works. Any size. Any volume. Anywhere - We are there for you. Agility is contracted by the Singapore Art Museum for the provision of art handling services.
Crown Fine Arts
36 Pioneer Road Singapore 628504 % 6593 7314 Fax: 6862 2840 wlee@crownrelo.com www.crownfineart.com Crown Fine Arts, a division of the Crown Worldwide Group, has been providing specialised fine arts packing and transportation services since 1989. With our extensive network, we are able to serve all domestic and major global locations requiring this highly delicate and specialised service. Our personal approach to every project has garnered the appreciation and trust of clients ranging from world-renowned museums and major art galleries to private collectors. Singapore Art Gallery Guide
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venues Arts & Heritage District 100. Esplanade F/5 1 Esplanade Drive, www.esplanade.com 101. The Fullerton Heritage Gallery B/5 1 Fullerton Square 102. DaTang Fine Arts Singapore 1 North Bridge Road #B1-09 104. Asian Civilisations Museum E/5 1 Empress Place, www.acm.org.sg 105. The Arts House E/5 1 Old Parliament Lane, www.theartshouse.com.sg 106. Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall E/5 9 Empress Place 107. ART-2 Gallery E/5 140 Hill Street #01-03 107. Galerie Belvedere E/5 140 Hill Street, Old Hill Street Police Station 107. Domain Art Gallery E/5 140 Hill Street, Old Hill Street Police Station 108. Cape of Good Hope E/5 140 Hill Street, #01-06 109. Element Art Space E/4 Raffles Hotel Arcade, 328 North Bridge Road 110. Gajah Gallery E/5 140 Hill Street, Old Hill Street Police Station #01-08 111. Mulan Gallery Pte Ltd E/4 36 Armenian Street #01-07 112. Singapore Philatelic Museum E/4 23B Coleman Street 113. The Substation E/4 45 Armenian Street 114. National Museum of Singapore E/4 93 Stamford Road 115. Singapore Management University - The Gallery D/3 90 Stamford Rd 116. Singapore Art Museum (SAM) E/4 71 Bras Basah Road 117. National Design Centre B/3 111 Middle Road 119. SAM at 8Q E/4 8 Queen Street, Singapore 189555 124. Lalin Gallery E/4 328 North Bridge Road #01-24 125. Chan Hampe Galleries E/4 328 North Bridge Road #01-21 125. Kato Art Duo E/4 328 North Bridge Road #02-25 126. Ode To Art E/4 252 North Bridge Road #01-36e/f 131. Art Galleries at NAFA E/3 80 Bencoolen Street 132. Institute of Contemporary Arts S'pore – LASALLE College of the Arts E/3 133. Emily Hill E/2 11 Upper Wilkie Road 134. 2902 Gallery / DECK D/3 120A Prinsep Street 136. Art Seasons E/3 BIG Hotel, 200 Middle Road, #01-02 138. The Sandalwood Room B/3 76 Princep Street 139. Peranakan Museum E/4 39 Armenian Street 140. The Luxe Art Museum D/3 6 Handy Road, #02-01 144. Art Plural Gallery E/4 38 Armenian Street, www.artpluralgallery.com 146. 11.12 Gallery PTE Ltd D/4 #04-02, 36 Armenian Street 153. Artcommune E/4 231 Bain Street. #02-43, Bras Basah Complex 181. ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands F/5 10 Bayfront Ave 203. Ngee Ann Kongsi A/4 97 Tank Road, Level 2 of Teochew Building 204. Flaneur Gallery C/2 129 Jalan Besar, www.flaneur.sg
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211. London Calling C/3 20 Haji Lane, 03-B, www.london-calling.com.sg 212. Objectifs C/3 56A Arab Street 213. Malay Heritage Centre F/3 85 Sultan Gate
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venues Orchard & Tanglin 501. ION Art Gallery B/3 2 Orchard Turn #03-05 501. Opera Gallery B/3 2 Orchard Turn #03-05 501. Galeries Bartoux B/3 2 Orchard Turn #01-12A/13 502. SOCIETE GENERALE Gallery C/1 1 Sarkies Road 503. MAD Museum of Art & Design C/3 10 Tanglin Road #01-01 506. Art Forum Pte Ltd C/2 82 Cairnhill Road 508. Third Floor Hermes B/2 541 Orchard Road, Liat Towers 509. HaKaren Art Gallery A/2 19 Tanglin Road #02-43 511. Yang Gallery Pte Ltd A/2 19 Tanglin Road #02-41 513. Peach Tree A/2 129 Tanglin Road, Tudor Court 514. Artz Space A/2 1 Nassim Road, www.artz-space.com 515. One East Artspace C/2 15 Scotts Road, #05-08/09, Thong Teck Building 518. Asia Art Collective A/2 19 Tanglin Road, #03-42 519. Art Front Gallery C/3 176 Orchard Road #04-17/18, The Centrepoint 520. *scape Youth Park C/3 113 Somerset Road #01-02, www.scape.com.sg 523. Japan Creative Centre A/2 4 Nassim Road 524. iPRECIATION E/5 50 Cuscaden Road, HPL House, www.ipreciation.com 528. Bruno Gallery A/2 91 Tanglin Road #01-03, www.brunoartgroup.com 531. Linda Gallery Blk 15 Dempsey Road, #01-03 532. REDSEA Gallery Blk 9 Dempsey Hill #01-10 533. Museum of Contemporary Arts (MOCA) 27A Loewen Road
river valley 401. 72-13 TheatreWorks C/4 72-13 Mohamed Sultan Road 402. Singapore Tyler Print Institute C/5 41 Robertson Quay 403. tcc – The Pier @ Robertson C/4 80 Mohamed Sultan Road 404. The Art Fellas C/5 46 Kim Yam Road, #02-25, The Herencia 404. Art Xchange Gallery C/5 46 Kim Yam Road, ##01-13, The Herencia 406. DBS Arts Centre C/4 20 Merbau Road - Robertson Quay, www.srt.com.sg
Artwalks are listed by area. Venues are listed in numerical order (map numbers).
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venues Tanjong Pagar, Chinatown & Raffles Place 302. tcc – Raffles Xchange E/5 5 Raffles Place #B1-63/64/65 303. tcc – ‘The Gallery’ E/5 51 Circular Road 304. SPRMRKT D/6 2 McCallum Street 305. tcc – 4 Robinson Rd E/6 4 Robinson Road, #01-01 306. Singapore City Gallery, The URA Centre D/6 45 Maxwell Road 307. Blue Lotus Fine Art D/7 108 Tanjong Pagar Road, 308. Barnadas Huang D/7 61 Duxton Road, www.barnadashuang.com 309. Red Dot Design Museum D/7 28 Maxwell Road 311. Ikkan Art Gallery C/8 Artspace@Helutrans, 39 Keppel Road 312. Richard Koh Fine Art Pte Ltd D/7 Artspace@Helutrans, 39 Keppel Road 313. Artspace@Helutrans D/7 Artspace@Helutrans, 39 Keppel Road 314. Galerie Steph D/7 Artspace@Helutrans, 39 Keppel Road 316. Indigo Blue Art D/6 52B Temple Street 317. Jeremy Ramsey Fine Art C/6 16 Bt Pasoh Rd 318. Goethe Institut C/6 136 Neil Road 321. Utterly Art Gallery D/6 20B Mosque Street 322. Momentous Arts D/5 1557 Keppel Road, #03-27 323. Instinc D/5 Eu Tong Sen Street, #04-163 326. NUS Baba House C/7 157 Neil Road, www.nus.edu.sg/museum/baba
Wessex Estate 551. d’Art Studio H/2 5 Westbourne Road #02-03 Blenheim Court 551. Milica Bravacic H/2 5 Westbourne Road #01-01 551. CdeM Atelier & Art School H/2 5 Westbourne Road, #01-02 552. JoyClay Studio & Gallery H/2 10 Woking Road, #01-01 553. Kelly Reedy – Studio Arts H/2 27 Woking Road, #01-01, kellyreedy.com 554. Art and Printmaking Studio H/2 28 Woking Road # 03 - 05 555. Rasha Eleyan H/2 9 Westbourne Road 556. Sealey Brandt H/2 1 Westbourne Road #01-02
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