“reTHINGing Sculpture in Singapore 2021” opens more possibilities for sculpture art

“reTHINGing Sculpture in Singapore 2021” opens more possibilities for sculpture art
_{02 August 2021}
_{Lianhe Zaobao}

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, the Singapore Sculpture Society (SSS) organised a commemorative exhibition reTHINGing Sculpture in Singapore 2021. After a year of planning, the exhibition will be held at four venues based on different themes, for over the duration of half a year. How can local artists explore the relationship between sculpture, objects and materiality, photography and space, while opening up more possibilities for sculpture, and communicate the art of creation? In 1991, the National Museum hosted Sculpture in Singapore, the largest sculpture exhibition in the history of Singapore. Curated by art historian T.K. Sabapathy, the exhibition presented more than 170 works from over 15 years. Then, the concept of emerging contemporary art was not clear, and the exhibition covered contemporary installations and ready-made products. In addition to famous sculptors, works by young students were also exhibited. Its exhibition pamphlet traced the development of local sculpture since 1976. 30 years later, SSS presents reTHINGing Sculpture in Singapore 2021. Curator Tan Yen Peng (50) said that the exhibition is a response and dialogue to the 1991 exhibition. Active sculptors, including members of SSS, present new works, hoping to stimulate the younger generation’s interest in sculpting.

reTHINGing Materiality - Contemporary Sculpture 2021 at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) focuses on exploring the materiality of sculptures. In addition to 35 works by established and emerging artists, six NAFA graduates underwent a year-long mentorship with Singaporean sculptor Yeo Chee Kiong and Tan Yen Peng. Participating NAFA graduates come from different generations, ranging from 20 to 30 years old, each presenting their unique works. Subashri Sankarasubramanian used food as a medium, and crafted flowers with onions, presenting it on still images on a screen, removing the smell aspect. Chen Yanyi’s Geo-Palmistry uses mud from places she visited, moulding them with silica gel and combining them into images. Nyan Soe, collated sculptures, pottery, seal carvings, prints and other objects to a bedroom desk for his installation, The Shadow of Memory. Having just graduated from NAFA last year, Ang Xue Ning said that the world has been changed by electronic games, and people’s ability to concentrate has depreciated. Her interactive device materialises electronic games and turns the computer mouse into a mouse, blurring the lines between the virtual world and reality. In her game, audiences are not actually able to catch her mice. Ong Si Hui’s work combines stone sculptures and digital 3D printing technology to represent the creative process.