Art Scene in Singapore
My passion for art started when I was still a child and I am excited to say that I have now been a part of the art scene in Singapore since my early teens. As a child, I travelled to the United Kingdom for two years and during this time, I formed strong friendships with many other creative young people who encouraged me to pursue my artistic potential. As a result, I was exposed to all types of artists from various nationalities – including artists from countries such as China and Vietnam.
Over the years, I have observed that Singaporeans have also dedicated a great deal of time and energy to promoting the art work and the art scene in Singapore as well. As a result, there are now many Singaporean organisations and groups who promote the art form through exhibitions and public presentations. I have attended quite a few exhibitions and events in Singapore which showcased local and international artists who are willing to display their work in a prominent venue in the country. These include the annual Singapore Biennale and the Singapore Art Festival. From my point of view, the success of these events depends largely on the availability of public space as well as the government’s commitment to supporting the artists and facilitating public gatherings.
The Singapore Art Festival, which is organised by the National Gallery of Modern Art (NEMAD), is a well-regarded contemporary art exhibition which showcases works from different artists and periodicals. Since the event occurs in August, it is usually held in the evening and is very popular among local artists and art enthusiasts. Another important event which highlights contemporary art scene in Singapore is the Singapore International Artists Festival. It normally takes place in the evenings from mid-July to early September. This three-day long event offers numerous exhibits and special presentations by local and international contemporary artists.
A walk through the many galleries and museums that are present in Singapore would show you the rich tradition and history of the country’s art scene. Some of the most prominent examples of modern art and museums which are present in Singapore are the National Museum of Singapore, the Singapore Art Museum and the Art Gallery of Singapore. While there are a number of great art and craft exhibitions held every year, one of the major events which are celebrated here is the Singapore Art Festival, which is usually in the month of August. In this festival, local and international artists to participate in an exhibition to display their work and talent, along with renowned international contemporary artists.
This festival is also celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm by the art lovers who visit the various art galleries and museums of Singapore to take part in the festival. Other important events which take place in Singapore during July – August are the Singapore China Film Festival and the Singapore Book Festival. Another good option for the art fans to indulge in is to go on a guided tour to see the various places of interest and monuments in Singapore. There are a number of travel agencies and Singapore tourism companies which offer package tours to the visitors who are interested in taking a Singapore tour. You can even ask them for a Singapore art walk which will take you to some of the best places and they would even help you in booking a hotel or a restaurant for your stay in Singapore.
If you are looking to buy some art souvenirs to gift to your loved ones back home, then a good idea would be to buy a piece of Singaporean art from one of the many artists of Singapore who are well into their profession. All good artists have their own websites and even their own store, where you can buy paintings, tapestries, sculptures, photography albums and other memorabilia. Some of the artists even have their own stores set up at selected places in the city of Singapore. So go online and check out all the options available to you, to find the perfect piece of art to gift your loved ones back home.
