Singapore, pop-up exhibition until 16th December 2024 – Get ready to embark on an exhilarating journey as the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) launches its Learning Gallery at Tanjong Pagar Distripark. Gallery 2 on Level 1 has been magically transformed into a captivating space designed to ignite the curiosity and passion for contemporary art in visitors of all ages.

The Learning Gallery promises to unleash the creative potential of approaching contemporary art with a childlike perspective. By curating five remarkable artworks by esteemed local and regional artists, SAM aims to extend the joy of learning about contemporary art to individuals of all ages. These selected artworks will be refreshed annually to introduce new perspectives and keep the space dynamic, reflecting the essence of our contemporary times.

Visitors will also encounter Tang Da Wu’s 深疤凰 SEMBAWANG, which was inspired by the “tok-tok bird” or large-tailed nightjar species that made nightly visits to the area near The Artists Village when it was located in Sembawang, making its presence known with its distinct “tok-tok” call. Featuring diamond-shaped mirrors that represent its tears, the work portrays the avian as a triumphant creature emerging from the ashes of its rebirth. 

Photo: Tang Da Wu’s 深疤凰 SEMBAWANG (made in 2013)

June Yap, Director of Curatorial and Research at SAM, expressed the profound significance of the new Learning Gallery, emphasizing its role as a dedicated space for visitors of all ages to personally engage with contemporary art. The gallery invites visitors to explore childhood as a shared experience that connects us all, fostering a space for gathering and learning from one another. By nurturing art education and facilitating dialogue on pressing social issues, SAM continues its mission of broadening perspectives and enriching lives through the powerful medium of art.

Embracing a childlike spirit of exploration, the Learning Gallery invites adult visitors to embrace the exhibition with an open mind and tap into the formative experiences of their childhood. Meanwhile, children are encouraged to experience the artworks in their own special way. With a strong focus on the uninhibited perspective of a child, this edition of the Learning Gallery proposes that new dimensions to appreciating and learning about contemporary art can arise when one wholeheartedly embraces a spirit of curiosity, imaginative playfulness, and spontaneity.

The gallery is thoughtfully designed as an oasis, providing a low-stimulus and serene environment ideal for reflection and focused learning. By intentionally minimizing visual and auditory stimuli, visitors are granted the space to form authentic and personal connections with the artworks, encouraging creative exploration and meaningful conversations with fellow visitors. Furthermore, each artwork is accompanied by separate sets of wall text tailored to children and adults, fostering avenues for shared experiences and dialogue across all age groups.

Featuring various interactive elements, the Learning Gallery creates multiple opportunities for families to bond over art. A specially curated library within the space offers visitors the chance to browse through a selection of books related to the artworks and the emotions they evoke, catering to readers of all ages. Additionally, the gallery boasts an interactive wall that invites free play and boundless creativity as it transforms and reacts to the unique touch of each visitor. Lastly, the response wall near the gallery exit encourages visitors to write letters to themselves, expressing their feelings after experiencing the artworks, thus fostering impactful interactions and self-reflection.

The featured artworks span various media and diverse forms of presentation, addressing themes of home, nature and the environment, people, places, memory, and time, raising vital and timely questions about contemporary living. Notable works include Nguan’s Untitled, from the series ‘Singapore’, and Cultural Medallion recipient Han Sai Por’s Black Forest, each provoking thought and emotion in their own unique way.

Photo: Nguan’s Untitled, from the series ‘Singapore’ (made in 2013)

Photo: Film Still Migrant of Ecologies Project. “If your bait can sing, the wild ones will come.” (made in 2021)

As part of its commitment to bring art closer to the local community, SAM extends the experience of the Learning Gallery beyond the museum through the presentation of ChildISH at the libraries. This captivating exhibition features poems by local poets crafted in response to the works showcased in the Learning Gallery at SAM, offering a rich and multisensorial showcase. This immersive experience and will travel to various regional libraries across Singapore, enriching the lives of many.

The presentation will travel to various regional libraries across Singapore until 16 December 2024. 

Learn more about the exhibition: bit.ly/SAM-LearningGallery.