Singapore Art Week (17-26 January) brings together over 160 events for the city's biggest celebration of the visual arts. Read our special supplement here
The Art Newspaper: What project are you working on at the moment?
Emmeline Yong: Objectifs will be presenting three shows during Singapore Art Week. Taking place in the Objectifs Chapel Gallery is a group exhibition, Hope you are keeping well! (until 9 March), curated by the recipient of our curator open call, Lenette Lua, featuring the artists Genevieve Leong, Huijun Lu, Hu Rui and Arabelle Zhuang. It’s a gentle exploration of how Singapore’s drive for productivity impacts cultural and artistic endeavours, and provides a timely counterpoint to the frantic pace of life in Singapore.
In our lower galleries, we are presenting Phenomenology of Light and Rhythms of the Earth (until 2 March) by Zen Teh and SueKi Yee to bring image-making and performance together in an exhibition that addresses the issue of light pollution in Singapore, Phnom Penh, Bangkok and Berlin. And for our first time, we’ve curated Dancing Alone (Don’t Leave Me) (until 26 January) by Susie Wong on the big digital screen opposite Objectifs (at Fortune Centre). The work shares vignettes of women dancing by themselves, for themselves, and will hopefully bring a little joy and respite to road users and pedestrians at these busy intersections along Middle Road.
In your experience, how has Singapore’s art scene evolved over the last decade?
The scene has become more vibrant and diverse year-round—there’s no shortage of local festivals like Singapore Art Week, or community-driven events, and an increase in artist-led spaces in less conventional spaces has also opened the space for more experimental work.
What do you think is the most distinctive thing about Singapore’s art scene?
While we might not have the scale or commercial dominance of some other cities, I’m excited by the sense of community and collaboration. Artists here often work together across disciplines and spaces, creating a supportive network that fosters innovation and experimentation. Access to grants, and smaller venues, have also provided artists opportunities to incubate works that might not have commercial appeal, but are impactful. I think this sort of environment has been crucial in creating an engaging and dynamic arts scene.
What would you recommend to first-time visitors to Singapore?
I would recommend setting time aside in the Bras Basah.Bugis precinct to Civic District area. Start the day at the Waterloo Street area—where you can get a local breakfast at the Albert Centre Market & Food Centre—followed by visits to the different religious sites along the street (Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple, Sri Krishnan Temple, Church of Saints Peter & Paul etc), and of course, to drop by Objectifs, where you can catch the SAW exhibitions and browse art books. From Objectifs, CHIJMES, which is a converted old convent school and chapel, is a great lunch spot for visitors. It’s also a short walk to the National Museum of Singapore and National Gallery Singapore for their blockbuster shows, followed by a rooftop cocktail at the gallery to wrap up the day with a view of the skyline.
