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Singapore's visual arts enclave Gillman Barracks is shining the spotlight on a group exhibition featuring four local artists – Ang Song Nian, Marvin Tang, Robert Zhao Renhui, and Zen Teh. Displayed at Mizuma Gallery, the exhibition explores the themes of human intervention and behaviour, as well as the environment and nature, through photography and installations.
Named after a movement that fought for world peace and cooperation, human rights, anti-racism, respect, disarmament, non-aggression, and justice in a divided world, Non-Aligned brings together three moving-image works by artists, filmmakers, and writers. These captivating works tell the challenging stories of transition from colonial rule to independence while breaking the boundaries of space and time.
Myanmar-based artist Wah Nu encourages you to extract yourself from the mundane, and insert vibrancy into life with Clouds. The exhibition features 11 large, visually arresting cloud paintings that ooze a sense of playfulness and dream-like quality that invites you to step into the realms of your imagination.
Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall is giving a lesson on photography for budding shutterbugs. Jot down some notes as a pro lensman shares his personal experience on what makes a good and valuable image. While drawing examples from his own collection of historical images, he will also touch on the perennial importance of photography in documenting and immortalising facets of history.
After its ground-breaking debut in Paris two years ago, National Gallery Singapore's first travelling Southeast Asian art exhibition makes its anticipated return to the Gallery. The Latiff Mohidin: Pago Pago exhibition features over 80 artworks and writings displayed alongside rare photographs and films, giving you a glimpse into the life and practice of Malaysian modernist painter and poet Latiff Mohidin. It also highlights how his travels across Europe and Southeast Asia have influenced modern art in this region.
The five productions of The Studios 2020 sift through the vast lost & found box that is life – collecting and collating its disparate parts, examining our losses and asking of ourselves what we might find in losing something. The programme includes playwright Lucas Ho's The Heart Comes to Mind, multimedia artist Brian Gothong Tan's Lost Cinema 20/20, and more.
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Watch history come alive and unfold as you journey through three heritage buildings on Waterloo Street. The immersive experience will sort audiences into different roles – be it as a bus passenger, visitor to the home for the aged and destitute, or just as an observer – and be privy to the action that unfolds right before their eyes. After the two-hour theatre journey, you'll leave with new knowledge of the precinct's best-kept secrets and unsolved mysteries.
Created by full-time illustrator Djohan Hanapi, The Sultry Princesses series embraces the beauty of eroticism with a side of subtle humour. Influenced by the popularity of Disney princesses, Djohan brings it to a more intimate level, creating a new world – and fantasy – of what it could have been behind closed doors in their provincial life. You'll find familiar characters in his solo exhibition – but not like you've seen them before, and definitely not as innocent. Djohan also runs Knuckles & Notch, a risograph press and studio in Singapore. When not running a studio, he makes art heavily influenced by pop culture. Besides The Sultry Princesses series, he is also known for his series of illustrations based on films by Hong Kong film director, Wong Kar Wai.
Cao Fei, one of China's leading contemporary artists is presenting 浮槎 Fú Chá during Singapore Art Week. The large-scale kinetic sculpture installation is part of the Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Commission at the National Gallery Singapore. Cao Fei is known for her works including RMB Cities: A Second Life City Planning (2007), reimagining the future of China’s cities in an online virtual world, and Asia One (2018). The kinetic sculpture installation is Cao Fei’s first set of solo presentations in the new year before her exhibition at the Serpentine Gallery in London and UCCA Beijing.
Journey through five specially curated interactive zones that spotlight elements that shaped the distinctive Chinese Singaporean identity – from food, language and traditions to popular culture and music. The inaugural permanent exhibition features precious loans from iconic personalities like Stefanie Sun and Anthony Chen, and interesting contributions from the community.
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The best of Singapore
Neighbourhood guides
Once a prominent red-light district, you’d think it would take loads to eradicate the impression of Keong Saik Road being littered with brothels in the 1960s. Well, you’re right – and it has. Now, this bustling neighborhood has somehow seamlessly fused the traditional with modern to offer some of the most unique (and delicious) places to visit whether you’re a tourist or a local lifestyle enthusiast. From gourmet restaurants to trendy bars and even bespoke tailors, you’ll be filled with an endless array of activities as you traverse along the streets of shophouses. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Singapore and the best bars to try out in Singapore
Busy, noisy, filled with people, that’s the general consensus of the Chinatowns of the world. Singapore’s is no different, but ours (perhaps we’re biased) has a charming air about it that appeals to both tourists and locals. A good mix of hawker fare and swish eateries, history and architecture, here are a few good reasons to head down to Chinatown. RECOMMENDED: 101 best things to do in Singapore and guide to getting around Singapore
Joo Chiat and Katong have gained popularity over the years for their blend of Instagram-worthy Peranakan shophouses, delectable cuisine, and indie retail stores. Named after philanthropist, Chew Joo Chiat, this charming corner in the east of Singapore was once a small village of seaside retreats for the wealthy. It's since been revamped into a residential suburb surrounded by shops and eateries. Declared as Singapore’s first Heritage Town in 2011, this East Coast enclave still holds timeless treasures and insight into the rich Peranakan cultural heritage of the 1950s. Today, most of Joo Chiat’s multi-ethnic influences are most evident in its architecture, dining options, and activities. RECOMMENDED Creative spaces in Katong and Joo Chiat and the best restaurants and cafés in Katong
Singapore's glamorous shopping belt dazzles with luxury stores, local boutiques and plenty to eat, see and do.
It’s a given that Little India is colourful, vibrant and a hive of activity – but it’s also changing and gentrifying. There’s never a dull moment on this stretch, here are some of our favourite spots. RECOMMENDED: Where to eat in Little India
What was once Singapore’s sleaze central has smartened up big time thanks to classy new developments like Andaz. While the area is evolving into a mini CBD, it hasn’t gone all business-like just yet. With its mix old-and-new, here are some of our new (and old) favourite haunts. Still can't get enough of what this colourful neighbourhood has to offer? Check out the best cafes in Bugis or go on a bar crawl guide in Bugis when it gets dark out.
Singapore's infamous redlight district is the place to go your craving for the king of fruits and good food at any hour of the night.
Take a one-way (MRT) trip to the far east – you’ll find more than chalets and droves of army boys. Hit up Pasir Ris and Changi for a walk through nature as you explore the mangroves or chug down refreshing brews by the seaside. We round up where to hang out and what to do while you're in these two quaint neighbourhoods.
More than just the neighbourhood with Singapore's first IKEA, Queenstown is also home to plenty of cheap and good eats, outlet malls for a good bargain and more.
Get acquainted: Tampines – named for the large number of ‘tampinis’, or ironwood, trees that used to be in the neighbourhood – is the largest residential area in Singapore. The colourful HDB blocks and smart design of the district earned Tampines the United Nations World Habitat Award for Excellence in Housing Design in 1992. Make a deal: Just outside the MRT exit, bargains abound in 513 Tampines Central 1. Get cheap clothes at CK Discount, then wander around the building clockwise until you hear the carnival soundtrack and come to stall No 152 – Three Stars Buy 1 Free 1. Just like the name says, when you buy one of the household goods on sale, you get one free. Along the way, keep your eyes open for discount underwear and a jewellery pawn shop. Eat: On the third floor of the Tampines Mall (4 Tampines Central 5, and ground zero for mainstream shopping in this area), peek in the window of Din Tai Fung and watch dim sum masters rolling out dough and turning it into divine dumplings… okay, enough watching. Time to grab a seat and eat! For what could possibly be Singapore’s best dining bargain (a major claim), head to block 823A on Tampines Street 81 and find stall No 820 in the Food Park for a plate of $1.30 chicken rice. Get fit: After all that chicken rice (at those prices, you know you’ll get seconds), you’ll need a workout. The Tampines Sports Hall (495 Tampines Ave 5 S) offers 19 badminton and table tennis courts where you can play with your birdies and balls. If that doesn
