A ground-up initiative by Art Galleries Association Singapore
By Ho See Wah

For the first time, over 30 galleries come together for the inaugural Singapore Gallery Weekend from 20 to 22 November 2020. It will see a host of exhibitions, workshops, guided tours and more across the island. Conceived by Art Galleries Association Singapore (AGAS), the event is the first of many ground-up initiatives to build a more robust, collaborative landscape for commercial galleries.

(Left to right) Guillaume Levy-Lambert, Membership; Audrey Yeo, Planning/Development; Terry Lee, Hon. Secretary; Khai Hori, President; Theresia Irma, International Relations; Rita Targui, Vice- President; Rachel Teo, Hon. Treasurer; Marie-Pierre Mol, Ethics and Professional Practice. Image courtesy of AGAS.

Gallery Weekend is the first step towards energising the Singapore art scene. This is largely motivated by the newly-elected AGAS Executive Committee helmed by President Khai Hori. Khai, who is also Director and Partner at Chan + Hori Contemporary, says, “AGAS is determined to engage and will not shy away from taking collective ownership to conscientiously engage the public, fellow art professionals and art patrons in ways that are relevant to immediate conditions on the ground.” Gallery Weekend is a timely reminder of the diverse ways in which galleries operate, from the traditional to the experimental, including shows in gallery spaces as well as pop-up ones.

With one weekend to catch the many online and offline activities, we have rounded up a few by location for you to make the most out of your Gallery Weekend!

Robertson Quay

Goh Beng Kwan, ‘Weaving River’, 2006, paper pulp collage, 130 x 105 x 4cm. Produced at STPI – Creative Workshop & Gallery. © Goh Beng Kwan / STPI. Image courtesy of STPI.

STPI Gallery will present a pop-up exhibition, ‘Pulpable Moments’, which foregrounds the materiality of paper pulp through the works of five artists: Goh Beng Kwan, Hong Zhu An, Jason Martin, Shinro Ohtake and Shambhavi Singh. ‘Pulp in Action: Discover Corner’ is an accompanying series of guided tours of STPI’s in-house paper mill where the works were developed. And in their papermaking walk-in workshop, visitors can create their own handmade paper using innovative materials such as spices, tints, flower petals and more. Artworks in ‘Pulpable Moments’ will go from SGD3,700 to SGD52,000.

STPI’s ‘Pulpable Moments’ is showing from 20 November to 22 November 2020.
The papermaking walk-in workshop will take place from 20 November to 22 November 2020, 11AM to 4PM daily.
Register for ‘Pulp in Action: Discover Corner’ guided tour here.

Affandi, ‘At the Beach’, 1982, oil on canvas, 121 x 240cm. Image courtesy of Art Agenda, S.E.A.

A ten-minute walk from STPI is Art Agenda, S.E.A., which will show the group exhibition, 'To SEA'. This aquatic theme is explored in its manifold and evocative manifestations through the modern masterworks of artists like Affandi and Georgette Chen, alongside newer pieces by emerging artists such as Yeo Tze Yang. “In its depiction, the sea represents something beyond a mere geographical metaphor, but a means to gain insight into each of the artists' experience”, says Partner & Director Jefferson Jong. “Through the works of these artists, we hope visitors will experience the feeling of interconnectedness and fulfil their curiosity in finding out what is out there.” Visitors can also look forward to personal guided tours of the exhibition across the three Gallery Weekend days. Prices for this showcase range from below SGD10,000 for emerging artists and SGD500,000 to SGD1,000,000 for established artists.

Art Agenda, S.E.A.’s ‘To Sea’ is showing from 20 November 2020 to 15 January 2021.
The personal guided exhibition tour will take place from 20 November to 22 November 2020, between 1 to 5PM. Register here.

Kampong Glam

c/residency studio. Image courtesy of Cuturi Gallery.

Newly-relocated to Aliwal Street is Cuturi Gallery, which recently introduced a residency programme, c/residency, to provide a nurturing and conducive space for their artists-in-residence. Founder Kevin Troyano Cuturi says, “Driven by a communal spirit and atmosphere, it encourages mutual sharing and exchange of artistic knowledge, skills and collaboration.” Cuturi will also host their first Studio Opening Weekend, where visitors can gain insight into the artistic processes of the gallery’s nine current residency artists, including Singaporean artists Shen Jiaqi, Marla Bendini and Masuri Mazlan. The solo exhibitions of French artist Vincent Fournier, ‘Past Forward’, and Belgian artist Delphine Rama, ‘The Third Force’, will also be on show. Artworks from c/residency range from SGD400 to SGD4,000; works from ‘Past Forward’ are around SGD12,000; and from ‘The Third Force, SGD3,300 to SGD5,500.

Cuturi Gallery’s c/residency: Studio Opening Weekend will take place from 21 November to 22 November 2020, between 3 to 7PM. For more information on how to register, click here.
‘Past Forward’ is showing from 14 November to 6 December 2020.
‘The Third Force’ is showing from 7 to 29 November 2020.

A few doors away is artist-run space Coda Culture, where the group exhibition ‘Precious Things’ will open its doors on Saturday. This showcase questions how the value of an artwork is ascertained through the works of 14 local artists including Cheo Chai-Hiang, Donna Ong and Tang Da Wu.

Coda Culture’s ‘Precious Things’ is showing from 21 November to 12 December 2020.

Gillman Barracks

Yeoh Choo Kuan, ‘Today’s Special’, 2020, exhibition installation shot at RKFA. Image courtesy of RKFA.

Coming together for Malan Road Makan Jalan are Art Outreach, Richard Koh Fine Art (RKFA) and Yeo Workshop. Speaking about the motive behind this collective endeavour, Audrey Yeo, Founder of Yeo Workshop says, “We hope that people will take the opportunity to participate in this local tourism initiative that is designed to lift our spirits during these difficult pandemic times.” Yeo is also the Chair, Planning and Development Committee in the refreshed AGAS Executive Committee.

Mike HJ Chang, ‘Sea's Guts’, watercolour on paper, artist's custom-made frame with plastic and levelers, 170 x 100cm. Image courtesy of Yeo Workshop.

Visitors can expect a festive experience later into the night with food and cocktails by BurgerLabo and Hopscotch as they wander along Malan Road to catch the solos of Taiwanese-American artist Mike Chang’s ‘Calendar of Dilation’ at Yeo Workshop, and Malaysian artist Yeoh Choo Kuan’s ‘Today’s Special’ at RKFA. Chang’s works are going from SGD4,500 for sculptures to SGD8,500 for paintings, and Yeoh’s PE board pieces range between SGD3,490 and SGD8,730. Art Outreach will also host Singapore collective Post-Museum’s Renew Earth Sweat Shop, a sewing workshop aimed at raising awareness around wastage and possibilities for renewal in the fashion industry.

Malan Road Makan Jalan will take place from 20 to 21 November 2020, with extended hours till 9PM.
Yeo Workshop’s ‘Calendar of Dilation’ is showing from 7 November 2020 to 9 January 2021.
RKFA’s ‘Today’s Special’ is showing from 30 October to 22 November 2020.
Post Museum's Renew Earth Sweat Shop will take place from 20 to 29 November 2020.

Pop-ups

Thynn Lei Nwe, ‘Nights at Kyi Myin Dine #2’, 2020, pen on drawing paper, 37.5 x 27.5cm. Image courtesy of Intersections Gallery.

Some of the galleries who are without a permanent gallery space will host pop-up exhibitions. One such gallery is Intersections, which primarily focuses on Burmese contemporary art. Marie-Pierre Mol, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Intersections, and Chair, Ethics & Professional Practice Committee of AGAS says, “I am delighted to be associated with this first Gallery Weekend, which expresses the common faith of AGAS members in the power of art: in art we trust!” Intersections is currently showing ‘Journey to the Golden Land’ with artists Soe Soe, Nyein Chan Su, and Ko Z. The gallery will additionally feature Thynn Lei Nwe especially for the Weekend, in her first showcase in Singapore. The exhibition conjures up both Myanmar’s nickname as ‘The Golden Land’ and the idea of a person’s life journey. Artworks will go from SGD500 to SGD12,750. Accompanying the exhibition are guided tours, as well as a creative workshop for children by Singapore-based Victor Paul Brang Tun.

Intersections Gallery’s ‘Journey to a Golden Land’ is showing at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, East Garden Gallery from 31 October to 24 November 2020.
The children workshop (aged 6 to 10 years) will take place on 21 November 2020, 2.30 to 5.30PM. Register here.
Contact Intersections Gallery for more information on the guided tours.

Chan + Hori will be embarking on a 12-hour Shangri-La Art Podcast (SLAP). Hosted by Khai Hori and Deborah Lim, Curator and Junior Partner, the podcast will tackle art and social issues with 29 invited guests, including I_S_L_A_N_D_S Founder Pey Chuan Tan; Former Case Manager, HOME and researcher Dr. Stephanie Chok; artists Dusadee Huntrukal, Sebastian Mary Tay, Speak Cryptic and more.

Chan + Hori’s Shangri-La Art Podcast will take place on 21 November 2020, 12PM to 12AM, on their YouTube channel here.

Affordable Art Fair, which has recently joined AGAS is also hosting the eighth edition of the Young Talent Programme (YTP) Winners’ Solo Exhibition together with ION Art, at ION Art Gallery till the end of the week, presenting the works of Singapore artists Daisy Toh, Louisa Violet and Nuridah Rostam.

The inclusion of these spaces and activities is in tune with AGAS’ vision to invigorate the landscape with innovative practices for contemporary times. It is also a step forward in fostering stronger cohesiveness in the art scene starting with its own members. We look forward to the various offerings of the first-ever Singapore Gallery Weekend, as well as future projects by the Association.

For more information on Singapore Gallery Weekend, visit their Facebook or Instagram pages at facebook.com/ArtGalleriesAssociationSingapore and instagram.com/agas.sg.