Audrey Phng, who runs Asian Art Options (a consultancy providing full-scale art advisory to corporate, private and institution clients), has extensive experience developing art collections for clients including Ascendas Singapore, Bain Consulting, BHP Billiton, Credit Suisse Wealth Institute and JP Morgan. Her curatorial experience includes co-curating exhibitions at the Esplanade on the Bay and OCBC Art Space and, to be honest, is a good friend whose taste we trust (she’s the one who turned us on to Su-en Wong). So who better than Ms Phng to plow through the extensive exhibits and make sense of it all for us? We got her to curate five must-see shows for Art Week.
“ARNDT Gallery celebrates its 20th anniversary and second year in Singapore with a show-stopping, one-stop window-shopping visual treat. The group exhibition of 34 artists presents a rare opportunity to see artworks by seminal international artists (living and deceased) who have shaped/changed the art landscape, alongside similarly amazing regional artists like Eko Nugroho, Geraldine Javier and Natee Utarit.
“Internationals names include Joseph Beuys (1921 to 1986), regarded as the father of conceptual art; and Sophie Calle, French female artist celebrated for her poetic and often auto-biographical artworks, and enigmatic personality (read: doesn’t play well with others).”
Watch for: Vik Muniz (left), a Brazilian artist/photographer who uses everyday objects like sugar, chocolate syrup, garbage and photo collages to create stunning works, which are bold, ironic and often deceptive in its visual imagery.
ARDNT Gallery, Helutrans Art Space: Jan 15 to Feb 15
“I am absolutely thrilled that the Singapore-born, formerly US-based artist, Jimmy Ong, is spending far more time producing works in Asia, and getting his long-time fans and collectors excited with his long-anticipated solo show at FOST Gallery. Ong, celebrated for his highly-evocative and visually powerful charcoal drawings that capture human emotion, technical prowess and historical dialogue.”
Watch for: His new works, which explore our dearest founding father (not Lee Snr but rather the earlier colonial chap) and his presence in Java, where Sir Stamford Raffles produced a two-volume tome on the history of Java.
FOST Gallery @ Gilman Barracks, 16 Jan to 1 March
“Art week can be a very daunting experience that often leads to visual aneurysms for the uninitiated. For a more in-depth yet somewhat gentler landing/study into this enigmatic world – as well as an opportunity to come face to face with the artist – check out Yeo Workshop’s roster of Art 101-type and beyond lecture series. Join artist Ian Woo, one Singapore’s top abstract artist, on Sunday, January 25 for a better understanding of contemporary art.”
Watch for: The works of Indonesian artist Maryanto, who presents a fantastic solo exhibition of stunning black/white paintings and installations (left) at the gallery.
Yeo Workshop @ Gilman Barracks, Jan 16 to Feb 30
P.S. Yeo Workshop happens to be next to FOST gallery, so we’ve just saved you an hour of your life.
“The folks behind the Eye exhibition series, and a newly launched Prudential Eye art awards, have a remarkable ability to zoom in on the best talents each country has to offer. Their current Singapore Eye exhibition features 17 artists and over 40 works, and promises to be a visual treat and a very informative survey into Singapore’s contemporary scene. The exhibition includes several interactive installations, which also makes it somewhat family-friendly, so definitely bring the kids on the weekend.”
Watch for: Jane Lee’s highly labour-intensive abstract work, Donna Ong’s visually poetic and meditative installation, and this (left), Lee Wen’s circular-shaped Ping Pong Go-Round III.
Prudential Singapore Eye, MBS ArtScience Museum, Jan 17 to June 28 (Admission applies)
“Make a pit stop at the curated SE Asian pavilion at Art Stage to view the evocative paintings of rising Singapore talent, Hilmi Johandi (supported by Galerie Steph). Johandi takes images from Singapore’s post-war films, archival photographs, found footage and uses them as references in his works. Fresh from a sell-out solo exhibition at OCBC Art Space last year, Johandi will present two large-scale paintings that highlight a country (perhaps, Singapore) that is caught between the urban and rural realities.”
Watch for: His 4.8-metre long Framing Camellia truly captures Johandi at his best, incorporating his signature cinematic influences, and beckoning you to simply pause and reflect.
Singapore Art Stage, Southeast Asian Platform, Marina Bay Sands Convention Center, Jan 22 to 25