As Singapore Art Week commences this weekend, start off by diving into the world of contemporary art as Art SG returns for its second act at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre from January 19 to 21, 2024. This fair stands at Southeast Asia’s leading international art fair, organised by The Art Assembly and presented by Founding and Lead Partner UBS.
Featuring a lineup of 116 galleries from 33 countries and territories, including several from our sunny island, this gathering brings together like minded art enthusiasts to redefine boundaries, shape the narrative of contemporary art and simply uncover new artists.
Adding on to the lineup of returning heavyweights, such as Gagosian, White Cube and ShanghART, are 38 new galleries, showcasing both new and old curated bodies of works. The newcomers include Kaikai Kiki Gallery, Bangkok Citycity, Asia Art Center, Taro Nasu, Sabrina Amrani, Poligrafa Obra Grafica and Nadi Gallery.
Art SG will also be categorised into different sectors for easier navigation – the Galleries sector will present multi-artist exhibitions, while the Focus sector will showcase solo or duo artist programs alongside curated thematic presentations, providing a closer look at individual artistic voices. Futures is dedicated to supporting younger galleries under 10 years, offering a platform for emerging talents to present specially created presentations.
Beyond traditional exhibition spaces, the fair will also feature large-scale, site-specific installations in the Platform sector. Additionally, visitors can also enjoy a curated Film program in collaboration with the ArtScience Museum and engage in Talks with art world thought leaders.
As you gear up for your art fair experience this weekend, we’ve gone ahead to curate a list of eight noteworthy artists to keep an eye out for. Whether you’re a seasoned art enthusiast or just beginning your exploration, this curated list will kickstart your discovery, covering both emerging talents and established names. Scroll down to find out who they are!
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1. Ai Wei Wei
Presented by neugerremschneider
Ai Weiwei is a prominent Chinese contemporary artist, renowned for his multidisciplinary work that spans art, activism, and political commentary. Born in 1957, Ai gained international recognition for his provocative installations, sculptures, and conceptual art that often confronts social and political issues in China. The artist’s body of work includes several iconic pieces that have left an indelible mark on contemporary art. Among his most famous works is Sunflower Seeds (2010), an installation featuring millions of individually hand-painted porcelain sunflower seeds, reflecting on mass production and individuality.
2. Suzann Victor
Presented by Gajah Gallery
Hailing from Singapore but currently based in Sydney, Suzann Victor is an artist renowned for her exploration of human sensorial experience and perception. She delves into a myriad of materials, ranging from the body and natural elements like light, water, and sound, to the principles of physics, often incorporating engineered components and ready-made objects. Victor’s work spans intimate performances, large-scale installations, public artworks, and collaborative endeavours that collectively question the significance of spaces and architecture. In a presentation by Gajah Gallery, Suzann Victor unveils a captivating aluminium sculpture adorned with eggplants, a motif she has explored since the early 1990s. This intricate artwork freezes the fruits in their early stages of decay, challenging audiences to contemplate the beauty found within imperfection and abjectness.
3. Robert Zhao
Presented by ShanghART Gallery
Renowned for his international acclaim and multi-disciplinary approach, Singaporean artist Robert Zhao Renhui is celebrated for his exploration of the human zoological gaze and its intricate dynamics in perceiving animals. His work delves into the evolution of the zoological gaze, its connection to societal progress, and the role of mediation. Beyond this, Renhui’s nuanced practice extends to a profound investigation of contemporary archives, exploring various modes of knowledge production. Notably, he is set to contribute to Singapore’s representation at the upcoming Venice Biennale, solidifying his pivotal role at the crossroads of art, critical inquiry, and societal reflection.
4. Tang Da Wu
Presented by ShanghART Gallery
At 80 years old, Tang Da Wu, a pioneer of contemporary art in Singapore, stands as the central figure of this presentation. Known for his relentless artistic pursuits spanning paintings, sculptures, installations, and performance art, Tang remains dedicated to questioning the world and exploring human relationships. In a first for an art fair, Tang Da Wu takes the spotlight following a well-received solo exhibition at the gallery in 2023. The highlight of the presentation features a striking sampan crafted from wooden offcuts of previous projects, juxtaposed with a spontaneous mud painting on the gallery wall during the exhibition’s opening.
5. Han Sai Por
Presented by STPI Creative Workshop & Gallery
Singaporean artist and 1995 Cultural Medallion recipient Han Sai Por (b. 1943) will showcase her artistry at the upcoming fair under STPI Creative Workshop & Gallery. Shaped by a wealth of experiences, her creations feature understated, geometric, and organic forms, with her marble sculptures standing out for their pliant appearance. Recognised globally, Han Sai Por has contributed to exhibitions and projects around the world, with her works finding homes in esteemed institutions and private collections worldwide.
6. Donna Ong
Presented by FOST Gallery
Donna Ong presents a captivating body of work at Art SG, featuring five enchanting ‘worlds’ – Desert, Garden, Underground, Undergrowth, and Underwater. Through the meticulous arrangement of miniature hand-cut paper shapes representing the flora and fauna of each world, Ong creates a visual narrative housed within rectangular glass vitrines. This unique mode of display echoes the charm of terrariums, blurring the lines between reality and magic. Specially commissioned for the Gallery Children’s Biennale 2019: Embracing Wonder at the National Gallery Singapore, these works have since been showcased at the Kinderbiennale (2021), Groninger Museum in the Netherlands, and are now making their mark at Art SG.
7. Tracey Emin
Presented by White Cube
Renowned artist Tracey Emin, born in 1963, transforms the canvas of her life into her primary artistic material. With unapologetic candour and soul-searching depth, Emin delves into the construct of the self and explores the very essence of the creative impulse. Unfiltered and raw, her works tackle fundamental themes of love, desire, loss, and grief with disarmingly emotional honesty.
8. Dawn Ng
Presented by Sullivan + Strumpf
Singaporean artist Dawn Ng emerges as a multi-disciplinary artist, experimenting with different mediums – from sculpture and photography to light, film, collage, painting, and large-scale installations. Central to her practice is an exploration of time, memory, and the ephemeral. Through her art, Ng crafts a visual dialogue that transcends traditional boundaries, inviting audiences to engage with the transient nature of existence and the profound depths of memory.
Find out more here.
