Anchor to Singapore Art Week
By A&M

The fifth edition of S.E.A. Focus took place over 10 days, from 6 to 15 January 2023. Themed “a world, anew”, it provided a constant anchor to Singapore Art Week, and worked with 25 galleries to showcase more than 180 artworks from over 50 artists.

Tan Zi Hao, ‘The Mercurial Inscription’, 2022, video animation, aluminium, touch sensor. 30 x 58 x 30cm. Photo by Darren Soh. Image courtesy of S.E.A. Focus.

A first for S.E.A. Focus was the SAM S.E.A. Focus Art Fund which offered participating galleries and their artists a chance for their works to be acquired for the Singapore Art Museum (SAM)’s collection. The two works selected were ‘The Mercurial Inscription’ (2022) by Tan Zi Hao, presented by A+ Works of Art and 13 works from ‘The God of Small Things’ (2020-2021) by Agung Kurniawan, presented by ROH.

Agung Kurniawan, Works from ‘The God of Small Things’, 2020-2021, acrylic on linen. Photo by Darren Soh. Image courtesy of S.E.A. Focus.

The two galleries were pleased with the reception of their artists at S.E.A. Focus. Joshua Lim, Director, A+ Works of Art, says, “This year we were very happy with our presentations of Mary Pakinee and Tan Zi Hao, and how their works were received.” Adinda Yuwono, Relations Manager, ROH, concurs, “We are happy to meet local and regional collectors and the appreciation and response towards our artist, Agung Kurniawan, has been fantastic from the public.”

Kayleigh Goh, 'Ray, a Drop of Golden Sun', 2022, cement, cement strengthener, acrylic paint, gesso on wood, 120 x 100 x 1.5cm. Image courtesy of Gajah Gallery.

Strong interest in the works on display was generally reported. For example, Gajah Gallery sold out of Kayleigh Goh’s works on the opening night. Echoing the positive sentiments of other gallerists, Lim Wei-Ling, Director, Wei-Ling Gallery, comments, “The fair had a lot of exposure and our artist and artworks received a lot of attention from visitors and collectors.”

The thoughtful structure and consistency of S.E.A. Focus keeps the participating galleries and visitors returning. “I have been very happy with S.E.A. Focus over the years and am glad to have been able to visit physically this year,” adds Lim. “I enjoyed the layout of the fair and was impressed with the publicity and events surrounding it, against the backdrop of everything else that was happening during Singapore Art Week and the launch of ART SG.”

Indeed, S.E.A. Focus is committed to representing the best of Southeast Asian art. Rita Targui, Gallery Director, STPI Gallery, says, “S.E.A. Focus’ intimacy and regional focus offers a unique repository critically curated for Southeast Asian contemporary art.” New initiatives included the “Collaborations” section, which featured a large-scale conceptual installation by Danish-Vietnamese artist Danh Võ from Vitamin Creative Space (Guangzhou) with the support of M Art Foundation, and “Dirty Dishes” – made up of dinnerware crafted by renowned Thai artist Rirkrit Tiravanija and German sculptor Tobias Rehberger, and presented by neugerriemschneider (Berlin). These works immediately drew the visitors in when they stepped into S.E.A. Focus.

SEAspotlight Talk: “When Patronage Becomes Form, Who is the ‘Southeast Asian Collector’?” at Art Agenda. Image courtesy of S.E.A. Focus.

Off-site events enriched S.E.A. Focus. In total, there were seven SEASpotlight Talks, including three curated by Stephanie Bailey, Conversations Curator for Art Basel Hong Kong, which asked provocative questions: “Is There a Southeast Asian Art Market, Now?” and “When Patronage Becomes Form, Who is the Southeast Asian Collector?” as well as the closing panel discussion “Traces of Global Singapore: A Cultural Landscape”, at Art Agenda within Tanjong Pagar Distripark.

OFF Focus: Fringe Film Programme with Rirkrit Tiravanija at The Projector. Image courtesy of S.E.A. Focus.

At The Projector, OFF Focus: Fringe Film Programme featured 6 of the Super 8 short films by Tiravanija in Singapore for the first time, including a live interaction session with the artist. There was also an online visit to Mit Jai Inn’s studio in Chiang Mai, made possible with TKG+ from Taipei – the only online activation for S.E.A. Focus this year – which can still be viewed here.

The introduction of new initiatives entices galleries to continue participating in S.E.A. Focus. “We see S.E.A. Focus as the most important platform to introduce emerging practices in the region,” says Joshua Lim. “And the introduction of the SAM S.E.A Focus Art Fund cements our decision.”

Visitors to S.E.A. Focus equally enjoyed its format and offerings. Writer, artist and curator Alfonse Chiu, who moderated a SEASpotlight Talk, reflected on S.E.A. Focus. They say, “One thing I found interesting about S.E.A. Focus was its attempt at finding a new exhibition-making language for contemporary art that is aware of the market without necessarily reverting to its conventions, as well as how it is fostering different forms of partnership within the ecosystem.” Elsie Yeo, Head of Public Relations, M&C Saatchi (Singapore) enjoyed the representation of Southeast Asian artists too. She says, “It was a great setup… [and] catching up with old friends and meeting some new ones is always a plus.” Similarly, Duong Manh Hung, an independent translator, writer and curator was particularly struck by its welcoming atmosphere. “S.E.A Focus offered a very intimate experience… [and] the warm and friendly ambience is a plus for my experience at S.E.A Focus this year!”

For those who may have missed the showcase, or would like to revisit the works on display, exhibited artworks at S.E.A. Focus 2023 will remain available for viewing and direct purchase on Artsy until 31 January 2023 here.

A&M is proud to be an official media partner of S.E.A. Focus 2023.