We’re not short of artsy attractions, with prominent exhibitions like The Art of Banksy, Gustav Klimt: Falling in Gold, and Harry Potter: Visions of Magic opening earlier this year. But if you’ve been to all of them already or prefer an inexpensive small gallery to satisfy your inner artist, Cats In A Floating World is an adorable cat-themed exhibition in Tanjong Pagar; best of all, it’s FOC entry.
I.F. Gallery at Tanjong Pagar is a quaint little art space mainly showcasing Japanese modern and contemporary artworks. Art lovers can admire a myriad collection of unique painting styles from various Japanese artists.
Cats In A Floating World is the latest exhibition, and all paintings surround the theme of cats with an added Japanese flair. The gallery is a convenient 4-minute walk from Tanjong Pagar MRT and opens daily from 12pm to 8.30pm. It’s free entry too, and this weekend’s your last chance to visit as the exhibition closes on 29th December 2024.
The giant futuristic cat statue is the first thing most people notice when stepping into the gallery. It’s a white cat dressed in a spacesuit-like outfit with bright, glowy eyes, designed by famous Japanese artist Kenji Yanobe, who’s known for many of his dystopian works.
She’s called Navigator and is part of his “SHIP’S CAT” series. The life-size statue is the first and only one displayed in Singapore and Southeast Asia.
The rest of the exhibition features artworks from 14 Japanese contemporary artists, like Eri Komiya, Shikama Mai and Asuka Irie. You’ll notice paintings across different mediums and styles, with cats as the main focus of every painting.
Cats are a huge symbol in Japanese culture, symbolising good luck and fortune. The paintings in the gallery depict furry felines in various ways, incorporating elements like a traditional Japanese street setting or cats looking out of modern apartment windows.
If you’re intrigued by any of the artworks, there’s also themed merchandise for sale to take home with you. The capsule toy version ($5) of the giant cat statue makes for a perfect desk decor beside your pop mart collection, and there are also tote bags ($35) with the SHIP’S CAT series designs.
Head down to I.F. Gallery to admire the cool paintings if you’re an art and cat lover. Entry’s completely free of charge anyway, and it’s a fun activity if you’ve some time to kill before your Christmas or New Year’s dinner.
For more exhibitions in town:
Cover image adapted from: @i.f.gallerysg via Instagram
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