M1 Fringe Festival: Art & Skin (Jan 4-15)
The theme for the festival’s 13th edition focuses on the body’s largest organ – the skin – and how it serves as an instrument of expression. What you should catch: “Foreign Bodies”, a debut performance by Singapore burlesque troupe Skin in Sin (drag performer Eugene Tan aka Becca D’bus is its mentor), which explores issues like xenophobia and racism
Art Apart Fair (Jan 7-11)
The five-day art event at Pan Pacific Orchard (Level 2, 3 and 20) will showcase works from up to 100 artists across Europe and Asia. Headline acts to look out for include Belgium visual art collective Skullmapping (their works are often quirky and witty) and Singaporean artist Ben Puah, whose paintings bear a darkly humorous slant.
Singapore Art Week (Jan 11-22)
Running for one and a half weeks, the fifth edition of Singapore Art Week offers a wide range of events for collectors and the curious. Programmes include a Singapore Biennale 2016 symposium (which aims to discuss Southeast, South and East Asian art practices), art gallery showcases and large-scale art fairs such as Singapore Contemporary and Art Stage.
Art Stage Singapore (Jan 12-15)
The upcoming art fair at the Marina Bay Sands specialises in Asian contemporary art, with over 120 participating galleries from 27 countries. This year, it will also stage a special exhibition dubbed “Collector’s Stage 2017: Expore”, which features works from the private collections of six Singapore-based collectors. Buy tickets (from $32) here
Art After Dark (Jan 13)
The annual chill-out, artsy event at Gillman Barracks returns next Friday night from 7pm onwards, and will launch a series of art initiatives including “Lock Route”, comprising outdoor installations by local and international artists, and “Design New Standard”, an exhibition on the interaction between art and design by homegrown lifestyle store Supermama.
Aliwal Urban Arts Festival (Jan 14-15)
Another annual affair, the festival returns to the Aliwal Arts Centre with curated works that showcase international street culture, from skateboarding to graffiti and punk. Another way they’re pushing the envelope? By holding an art-meets-fitness event titled “No Regrets For Our Youth”, which is organised by Singapore art collective DXXXXD. What to expect: An installation that resembles a jungle gym, and sculptures that look like sports equipment.
Singapore Contemporary (Jan 19-22)
The second edition of Singapore Contemporary (Level 4 Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre) will showcase 90 exhibitors who hail from 20 countries including Asia, Europe and North and South America. Besides talks, tours and live painting demos, don’t miss the inaugural Photo17 exhibition, which aims to showcase photography as an art medium and how it’s more than just a trigger-happy pastime. Buy tickets (from $25) here
Like this? Check out a co-working space in Singapore just for artists, the Singapore artist whose works sold out at his first show and 7 exhibitions you can’t miss at the Singapore Biennale.
