Art fans, mark your calendars. 2 new exhibitions by Southeast Asian artists, Yee I-Lann and Pratchaya Phinthong, are set to take over Gallery 1 at the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) at Tanjong Pagar Distripark from 4th December 2024 to 23rd March 2025. Featuring newly commissioned works, loans, and pieces from Singapore’s National Collection, these exhibitions provide a deep dive into themes of identity, culture, and socio-political landscapes.
From Yee’s exploration of identity and power in Mansau-Ansau to Pratchaya’s conceptual deep dives into cultural and economic systems in No Patents on Ideas, there’s plenty to immerse yourself in.
The best part is, admission for Singaporeans and PRs is free.
Image credit: Singapore Art Museum
Known for her explorations of power, history, and community, Yee I-Lann and her collaborators, Julitah Kulinting, Lili Naming, and Shahrizan Bin Juin’s artworks bring visitors on a journey with Mansau-Ansau – a Kadazan-Dusun phrase meaning “to walk and walk.”
Through vibrant textiles, photography, and installations, her works spotlight history while weaving in Southeast Asia’s rich cultural fabric.
Image credit: Singapore Art Museum
One of the exhibition’s key elements is The Orang Besar series, a 3-piece artwork with striking batik pieces featuring kain panjang – traditional long cloth, and kain sarong- long sheath. These works explore societal hierarchies, using intricate motifs to depict the complex relationships between people in power and the lower class.
Image credit: Singapore Art Museum
Another thought-provoking piece is PANGKIS, a video capturing a performance by dancers wearing unique jungle hats, which embodies the traditions of Murut cultural expressions.
Image credit: Singapore Art Museum
One standout element of the exhibition is “hello from the outside”, an installation featuring the song choices of weavers she collaborates with, emphasising community and shared memory.
Songs you are sure to be familiar with are Hello by Adele and Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen just to name a few.
Thai artist Pratchaya Phinthong’s conceptual showcase will make you rethink the invisible systems that shape the world. In No Patents on Ideas, ordinary elements like currency, airspace, and social exchanges turn into captivating artworks that explore globalisation, labour, and control.
Image credit: Singapore Art Museum
In his exhibition, you can sit below many of the pieces and watch in awe as you take in the breathtaking works.
Image credit: Singapore Art Museum
A highlight of the exhibition is Undrift, a new commission that animates global banknotes belonging to the artist, drifting across a screen, synchronised with real-time data from Singapore.
Image credit: Pratchaya Phinthong
For Untitled (Singapore), Phinthong captures a photograph of Thailand’s airspace during a military exercise, reflecting the military relationship between Thailand and Singapore.
Image credit: Singapore Art Museum
In a piece that explores human stories, Suasana, film strips on the piece were unravelled by Thai widows in a conflict-ridden region to capture their resilience. The exposure of the film rolls to light caused them to darken, forming a visual representation of both presence and absence as well as the uncertainty and fragility of life.
Both exhibitions are a must-see for art enthusiasts or anyone interested in Southeast Asian art and its connection to global narratives. By visiting the exhibitions, you’ll get the chance to engage deeply with the artists’ works and perspectives first-hand.
Other exhibitions happening in Singapore:
Cover image adapted from: Singapore Art Museum
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