The ultimate guide to Singapore Art Week 2019

Jan 7-27

Skip your regular electronic stores and repair technicians, and head up to level six of Sim Lim Square for some hybrid art – we’re talking visual art pieces fashioned from tech. The art residency transforms into an open studio and exhibition – all at once – for the month of January. Witness artists come together for panel sessions and get the full residency experience with a guided tour. For a free-and-easy viewing, the open studio is available from noon to 6pm for visitors to engage in conversations with each artist, allowing them to understand the processes and means of making art with the use of technology.

Sim Lim Square, daily noon-6pm

Jan 12-Feb 24

Heard of ‘visual pen-friends’? That’s what American artist Lucy Liu – who also happens to be the Hollywood star – and Singaporean artist Shubigi Rao are. Like pen-pals, the two became friends through an exploration of their respective artworks without meeting in person. The exchange unravelled shared interests and themes that are incorporated in their practices. Both artists are known for analysing cultures, histories, identities and relationships through their works. Intrigued? Check out the visual dialogue presented by the two artists for the very first time at the National Museum of Singapore.

National Museum of Singapore, daily 10am-7pm

Jan 19-27

Examine local issues of domesticity and labour through multiple mediums like mark-making, sculpture and drawing at this community-centric installation. Wander through the exhibition and see the everyday domestic in the form of art – bridging the connection between house workers and artists – as well as the nature of labour within the confines of home. Understand the art pieces further by signing up for workshops and meeting various artists who share their views of the themes of the exhibition.

National Design Centre, daily 9am-9pm

Jan 19-27

View art in the age of technology at Singapore’s first student-led immersive art exhibition. More than just a showcase of visual stunners, the display revolves around the sustainability of people and the planet. It’s a great opportunity for visitors to learn and witness the results when art meets technology through workshops, talks and performances featuring mash-ups with virtual reality (VR) painting, 360 films and 3D printing.

Roger&Sons, Mon-Thu 11am-8pm, Fri-Sun 11am-late

Jan 19-Feb 2

Inspired by the scenes of the historic Singapore River, this film showcase by Eric Lim with support by Filmat36 takes viewers back to in time through paintings and discussions with the city’s veteran artists including Lim Tze Peng, Tan Choh Tee, Low Puay Hua and other locals who’ve called the riverside home. The documentary is screened in Mandarin with English subtitles.

Don't miss the accompanying special exhibition Memories of Singapore River: Paintings by Local Artists at The Fullerton Hotel. For some live-action art, check out outdoor sketch sessions by Singapore Watercolour Society and Urban Sketchers Singapore at the Singapore River.

Screenings:
Asian Civilisation Museum, Jan 19: 4pm-6pm, Jan 20 & 27: 11am-6pm, Jan 25 & 26: 2pm-9pm, Feb 1 & 2: 2pm-9pm;
Singapore River Cruise, Jan 20 & 26: various timings, Jan 19, 20, 23, 25, 26: 7pm, 8pm, 9pm;

Talks:
Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, Jan 24: 7pm;

Exhibition:
The Fullerton Hotel, Jan 19-Feb 2: 12pm-8pm

Jan 19-Feb 3

The Substation is all set for an interdisciplinary exhibition in conjunction with Singapore Art Week. Curated by Dr Wang Ruobing, local creatives such as artist Fauzy Ismail, musician Jeremy Lee (Hell Low), photographer See Kian Wee and Singapore-based Thai artist and photographer Juria Toramae come together to showcase their works that address the critical relationship between people and places in Singapore. Some notable places include the old National Library, the Quarry, Singapore coastal lines and transient prayer spaces. These thought-provoking art pieces are made to strike up conversations and you can do so via the exhibition’s dialogue sessions with artists, writers, architects, scientists, and a guided tour led by Dr Chua Ai Lin.

The Substation, Tue-Sun noon-8pm

Jan 24-27

Take your art appreciation even further at S.E.A. Focus. The inaugural event is serving art aficionados a boutique fair in a special pop-up structure at Gillman Barracks, focusing mainly on Southeast Asian modern and contemporary art via exciting collaborations between international and local galleries.

Gillman Barracks Pavilion (Carpark B), Thu 3pm-7pm, Fri 3pm-10pm, Sat-Sun 11am-7pm