KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 29 — SEA Focus, the leading platform for contemporary art in Southeast Asia, is scheduled for its sixth edition in Singapore from January 20 to 28, 2024.
Commissioned by the National Arts Council of Singapore (NAC) and held annually, this showcase is a key event in the Singapore Arts Week (SAW) calendar, marking Singapore’s signature visual arts season.
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As the role of technology becomes increasingly important, the 2024 exhibition explores the interesting interactions between humans and technology, and what makes it distinctive to be human in the midst of the impending convergence of technology. To do.
with title Serial and massively parallelThe showcase features carefully selected works from over 40 artists from around the world across 22 galleries and themes.
Works by Malaysian artist Tan Zi Hao will be exhibited. Bag of stories, no. 9as part of his case bearer series. For many years, Tan focused on an insect commonly known as the “household casebearer” (Phereoeca spp.).
It pervades the spaces of the home, inhabiting the most inconspicuous corners and clinging to the edges like a gray drop. As the name suggests, domestic casebearers survive as larvae with oval cases before metamorphosing into moths.
what to expect
In this exhibition, visitors can experience larger-scale and innovative works of art that reflect the convergence of Southeast Asian influences and digital advances in today’s world.
There will also be an opportunity for collectors to purchase and acquire these artworks for the first time at Preview.
“As a platform dedicated to championing the creative diversity of Southeast Asia, we look forward to inviting all visitors on a fascinating journey into the realm of Southeast Asian art with a fresh lens.” said Emi Eu, SEA Focus Project Director and STPI Executive Director. .
“Since 2019, SEA Focus has been a key highlight of SAW, with an emphasis on showcasing Southeast Asian art from both established and emerging talent in the region. It also strengthens and adds to the diversity of the visual arts scene and creates special moments,” said Tay Tong, Director of Visual Arts (Arts Ecosystem Group), National Arts Council.
Directed experience
The first curator at SEA Focus is John Tan, a curator with extensive experience from his work at the Singapore Art Museum (SAM), Singapore Biennale and Singapore International Photography Festival.
His selection of works for SEA Focus 2024 raises questions about the nature of creativity, the evolving status of artistic expression in an increasingly digital age, and the experience of art as a uniquely human endeavor and phenomenon.
“As digital technology and artificial intelligence increasingly influence our lived experiences, SEA Focus provides an excellent opportunity to reflect on their role and function within the ecology of contemporary art.” Mr. Tung said.
“It’s not that the presentation is digitally focused, but rather that it has a place within a wide range of practices and mediums that stem from the innate human urge to connect and create,” Tung said. added.
Featured names
In terms of exhibitors, SEA Focus 2024 features 22 new and returning exhibitors including A+ Works of Art (Malaysia), Artinformal (Philippines), Art Porters Gallery (Singapore), Baik Art (US, South Korea, Indonesia), and FOST Gallery A gallery will be exhibiting. (Singapore) and Gallery VER (Thailand).
More than 40 regional and international artists are exhibiting their work, with notable names including Singapore’s Ayman, Poklong Anadin from the Philippines, Apichatpong Weerasethakul from Thailand, Mera Jaasma from Indonesia and Tan from Malaysia.
Representing A+ Works of Art in KL, Tan is one of two artists whose work was selected for the last SAM SEA Focus Art Fund. Established in 2023, the Art Fund recognizes and supports notable works of contemporary art from Southeast Asia.
Complementing the main exhibition are the signature SEAspotlight Talks, a series of carefully selected conversations with art experts and thought leaders.
The lineup aligns with the curatorial theme, highlighting the region’s efforts to create, critique, curate, and collect art in the current landscape. Some of the speakers include artist girlfriend Yee I-Lann (Silverlens), Heri Dono (The Columns Gallery), Dinh Q.Lê (STPI-Creative Workshop & Gallery), and more.
SEA Focus 2024 will be held from January 20th to 28th at 39 Tanjong Pagar Distripark, Singapore. For more information, please visit http://www.seafocus.sg.