SINGAPORE ART WEEK IS BACK, BURSTING WITH EXCITING COLLABORATIONS AND INNOVATIVE PROGRAMMES DESIGNED TO STIR YOUR SOUL AND ENCHANT YOUR SENSES!

Art Takes Over with an incredible line up of more than 130 events over 10 days 

Singapore Art Week (SAW), the premier visual arts season in Southeast Asia, will take place from 17 to 26 January 2025, marking its 13th edition. This event is organized by the National Arts Council (NAC) and supported by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), presenting Art Takes Over with a diverse array of more than 130 engaging arts events distributed across the island, inviting participation from individuals of all backgrounds to appreciate and engage with the arts collectively.

Tay Tong, Director, Arts Ecosystem Group (Visual Arts), NAC, said, “SAW is a dynamic celebration of the thriving visual arts ecosystem in Singapore. The wide-ranging art experiences showcase both established and emerging talents in this field. SAW’s ability to attract local and international artists, galleries, and art enthusiasts underscores Singapore’s position as a nexus for creative expression in the region, spotlighting the richness of the country’s overall arts scene.”

Lim Shoo Ling, Director, Arts and Cultural Precincts, STB said, “Now in its 13th year, the Singapore Art Week has become a mainstay of Singapore’s art calendar, featuring local, Southeast Asian and international art across events like ART SG, Light to Night Singapore, shows in our museums, and presentations in various spaces across the island. SAW is a platform where creative and artistic collaborations promise unique and memorable experiences with art at its core for both visitors and locals alike, enhancing Singapore’s appeal as an attractive arts and cultural destination.”

A visual treat for the public from diverse arts stakeholders over 10 days of creative buzz  

The public can look forward to a wide range of programmes by local and international artists, partners and organisations that range from SAW open call projects, collector shows, presentations by commercial galleries and roving exhibitions across the island. Highlights include:

• Get ready for an exhilarating experience as familiar favourites like ART SG, S.E.A. Focus, Light to Night Singapore 2025: “****Do You See Me?” make a thrilling return to SAW! The excitement doesn’t stop there—prepare to be enchanted by late-night programmes such as Art After Dark at Gillman Barracks and the vibrant Sonic Sessions at Tanjong Pagar Distripark, perfectly complementing the stunning array of exhibitions from our passionate commercial art galleries and talented tenants.
  
• Igniting a revolution in the realm of art, Con-Temporary Art emerges as a mesmerizing travelling miniature gallery that beautifully marries installation with performance. This diorama is skillfully crafted to evoke the essence of a pristine white cube art gallery, infused with internal lighting and a dedicated power supply, showcasing enchanting miniature artworks designed with fervor specifically for this extraordinary space.
  
• The SATS Experiential Centre at The Arts House Annex passionately unveils an extraordinary cross-sector collaboration that ignites the senses by fusing food and art. In a remarkable partnership with the visionary multidisciplinary artist Yang Derong, the eclectic private dining chef and art consultant Patricia Chen @sekel_kitchen along with the acclaimed former head chef of Nouri, Russell Nathan @bricolage.sg, are set to deliver exclusive dining experiences that are deeply inspired by Derong’s mesmerizing installation, DIGikat – Our Social Fabric_. This experience not only connects tradition with innovation but also pushes culinary and artistic boundaries that are destined to resonate powerfully with both local and global audiences.
  
• Audiences will be treated to an extraordinary opportunity as they dive into the enchanting world of private collections curated by passionate collectors. Among them, Pierre Lorinet is set to unveil his much-anticipated third exhibition, The Pierre Lorinet Collection: Space, at New Bahru, Singapore’s pioneering all-local creative cluster. In a mesmerizing showcase, The Private Museum will present Of Dreams and Contemplation: I am All but a Story – Selections from the Collection of Richard Koh. This stunning exhibition highlights the intimate and personal art collection of Richard Koh, marking a significant second presentation of his private collection at The Private Museum. Here, audiences will find themselves immersed in a captivating narrative that reflects Koh’s transformative journey as both a collector and gallerist, offering fresh insights into his artistic evolution.
  
• Marina Bay Sands is set to dazzle once again with the spectacular third edition of “Where Art Takes Shape,” taking place from January 16 to 26, 2025. For the very first time in Asia, Covenant ART and House of Inspiration will unveil Behind the Canvas Series 1: Jean-Michel Basquiat, a thrilling 3-month event experience that celebrates the vibrant life and groundbreaking work of the legendary American artist, all within the stunning setting of the Sands Expo & Convention Centre. Visitors will be captivated by a specially curated edition of Marina Bay Sands’ Spectra light show, masterfully crafted by artists from The Observatory (Singapore) and Duck Unit (Thailand), offering an unforgettable fusion of light, sound, and water that immerses the senses. Moreover, the expanded Masterpieces Art Trail, inspired by the STB x UOB campaign, features 21 breathtaking public art installations throughout the iconic Marina Bay, promising art enthusiasts an enriching and exhilarating journey through the very heart of the city.
  
• Sotheby’s is thrilled to unveil the highly anticipated exhibition and auction of Modern and Contemporary Art from 14 – 18 January 2025, coinciding with the exhilarating SAW event! This splendid showcase will open its doors to the public, inviting art enthusiasts and curious minds to immerse themselves in a world brimming with creativity and inspiration.

Art Takes Over the city, where we live, work and play

From the city center to the heartlands and various commuting locations, residents and visitors of Singapore will enjoy enhanced access to artistic works.

• NAC proudly expands its partnership with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to breathe life into our public transport nodes, as part of the vibrant Art in Transit programme. Following a resounding success during SAW 2024, eight MRT stations and a uniquely themed train will continue to shine a spotlight on the exhilarating SAW programmes coming in January 2025. Furthermore, prepare to be dazzled as contemporary art wraps envelop ten viaduct pillars near Bukit Gombak MRT station, painting our urban landscape with a splash of creativity during SAW 2025.
  
• In an extraordinary turn of imagination, Mark Chua and Lam Li Shuen will transform Fort Canning Park into a breathtaking speculative fiction experience of 11th century Temasek through their multimedia exhibition, Before and After the Unknown. Merging expanded cinema, video games, and sculptural fictions, this exhibition unravels pieces of a deconstructed myth, inviting us to dive into Singapore’s rich early history through a captivating lens of the fantastical and the botanical.
  
• Prepare for an enchanting journey with Cabinet of Curiosities, a play-making initiative that celebrates the collaborative magic among children of diverse abilities. They embark on a thrilling quest, following clues about a mysterious creature lurking in their neighbourhood, diving deep into a vibrant realm filled with shapes, textures, sounds, and stories. Their collective creativity births a whimsical cabinet of curiosities, brimming with a delightful mix of gathered natural treasures, visual wonders, and imaginative narratives.
  
• Experience the warmth and inspiration of Open studios in the charming enclaves of Emily Hill, Telok Kurau, and Wessex. Here, artists invite the public to a behind-the-scenes glimpse into their hearts and minds, showcasing the passion and diverse processes that fuel their artistic journeys.

Connecting Singapore to global art communities

From connecting the public, to enlivening our spaces through the arts, SAW also provides a platform for artistic collaborations, reinforcing Singapore’s position as a Southeast Asia arts hub for cultural exchanges, partnerships and creative growth across borders. 

• For the first time ever, art lovers and curious minds will be captivated by the “Beyond Giving, Inspiring Change” Glass Art Exhibition presented by Bangkok Glass Company, the trailblazing learning centre for glass art in Thailand. Set against the backdrop of innovation and creativity, this extraordinary exhibition will run from January 24 to 28, 2025, showcasing the breathtaking works of renowned glass artists Tan Sock Fong (Singapore), Chattakan Vongsiri (Thailand), Peter Bowles (Australia), Osamu Noda (Japan), and Stephanie Trenchard (USA). Prepare to be mesmerized!
  
• Dive into a world of imagination with The Eye and The Tiger, presented by OH! Open House. This exceptional showcase brings together commissions and seminal works from Singaporean and Southeast Asian artists. You’re invited to wander through the enchanting grounds of Adam Park, where a guided art walk awaits you in a charming black-and-white bungalow, nestled amid lush greenery. Experience art in a setting that feels both magical and profound.
  
• The Singapore Art Week Forum 2025 is set to take the stage with a full-day lineup that promises to be invigorating and enlightening. It’s an unparalleled gathering of thought leaders from the art world, where they’ll engage in dynamic panel discussions and dialogues centred on the thought-provoking theme, ‘Art Publics’. The illustrious keynote speaker, Theaster Gates, will illuminate the conversation about the interplay between art and society. Jointly organised by NAC, National Gallery Singapore (NGS), and Singapore Art Museum (SAM), this year’s forum beckons industry leaders to embrace the public as integral partners, reinforcing the social significance of art and showcasing its incredible power to connect people and ignite positive change.
  
• Mark your calendars for January 14, 2025, as the newly launched Tanoto Art Foundation (TAF) hosts its inaugural symposium, Soul Song of a New Organisation. This landmark event will feature a stirring keynote by esteemed scholar and art historian Joan Kee (USA) and electrifying performances by visionary artists Melati Suryodarmo (Indonesia) and Chang Yuchen (China). Joining them will be an impressive lineup of international speakers, including Joselina Cruz (the Philippines), Gala Porras-Kim (Brazil), Paulo Miyada (Brazil), Manuela Moscoso (Ecuador), and Arin Rungjang (Thailand). Experience a vibrant gathering that promises to redefine the possibilities of art and collaboration!

Singaporean artists have brilliantly positioned our vibrant nation on the global arts stage by showcasing their extraordinary talents at prestigious international platforms. The much-anticipated SAW 2025 heralds the triumphant return of these captivating exhibitions, inviting residents to immerse themselves in the awe-inspiring creativity and passion of their works.

• Following its breathtaking presentation at the Singapore Pavilion at Biennale Arte 2024 in Venice, the mesmerizing Seeing Forest by Robert Zhao Renhui, expertly curated by Haeju Kim, is poised to captivate audiences yet again as it makes its magnificent return to Singapore, ready to enchant all who step into the illustrious halls of SAM.
  
• Driven by its acclaimed debut at Ars Electronica in Linz, Affective Architecture invites you to immerse yourself in a thought-provoking journey. This exhibition showcases the brilliance of new media artists who delve into the transformative power of Virtual Reality and digital immersive environments, revealing how they profoundly shape our emotions and perceptions. Although only half of the works first captivated audiences at Ars Electronica, this expanded exhibition promises to draw you deeper into the intricate dance between digital spaces and the very essence of human experience.
  
• Phenomenology Of Light And Rhythms Of The Earth is not just an exhibition; it’s a vibrant collaborative journey brought to life through a workshop series at Objectifs, featuring the remarkable talents of artists Zen Teh (Singapore) and SueKi Yee (Malaysia). This initiative builds upon their first dazzling presentation in Berlin, a part of Zen Teh’s in-depth research at the Künstlerhaus Bethanien Residency, an endeavor made possible through a partnership with NAC. Prepare to be inspired as they continue to explore and illuminate the connections between light, earth, and artistic expression.

Celebrating our shared arts and culture

In anticipation of the momentous SG60 celebration, we are thrilled to announce an inspiring series of programmes that will passionately reflect on our remarkable journey as a nation and celebrate the spirit of our incredible people.

• SAW x PAssionArts proudly showcases five dynamic community projects brought to life by visionary artists and vibrant arts groups in collaboration with Community Arts and Culture Clubs (CACCs) across five unique neighbourhoods of Singapore: Bukit Batok East, Canberra, Kampong Glam, Mountbatten, and Tampines North. Among these remarkable initiatives is National Antiquities Parade, a captivating project by the Temporal Displacement Agency in partnership with Mountbatten CACC. This artistic tribute commemorates the SG60 celebrations, paying heartfelt homage to one of Singapore’s most cherished national events—the National Day Parade.
  
  
• In a heartfelt celebration of Singapore’s 60th year of independence, Art Outreach unveils Singkarpor REMIXED, an extraordinary photography exhibition featuring the powerful works of renowned photographer AikBeng Chia, skillfully curated by John Tung. Chia’s lens captures the essence of our streets and the everyday moments that shape our collective experience. His stunning photograph collages will transform into large-scale, interactive installations, weaving together themes of local pop culture, the beautiful tapestry of our diverse communities, and the heartbeats of our beloved heartlands. This exhibition offers an exhilarating journey through Singapore’s ever-evolving identity, inviting all to immerse themselves in its rich narrative.

Visit the SAW website (www.artweek.sg) and follow @sgartweek on Facebook and Instagram to learn more about the full programme line-up and participating artists. 

Get ready for an exciting transformation as January approaches, with more thrilling detailed updates on Singapore Art Week soon to be unveiled!