Southeast Asia and Latin America are distant realms and at first glance, there may not be immediate connections but the National Gallery Singapore’s (NGS) upcoming show, Tropical: Stories from Southeast Asia and Latin America, is looking to showcase how the two regions share many solidarities. It’s billed as the world’s first large-scale exhibition to take a comparative approach between the artistic practices from both regions, examining what they share in common – especially in the aftermath of colonialism.

Spanning the breadth of the 20th century, the exhibition presents over 200 iconic paintings, sculptures, drawings, performances, and sensorial installations – and there are major blue chip names to look out for, including Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Paul Gauguin and Malaysia’s most revered painter, Latiff Mohidin (pictured). Some works are displayed in Singapore for the first time, such as Kahlo’s Self-Portrait with Monkey.

A common theme throughout the exhibition is the challenging of dominant colonialist stereotypes popularised by famous artists such as French painter Paul Gauguin, who was known for depicting the tropics as a haven teeming with uninhibited, carefree “natives” and lush landscapes. In this show, there are more nuanced representations of each region’s inhabitants –labourers, fruit sellers, freedom fighters, and women – often overlooked in colonial art, now take centre stage in the presented works.

It’s not just your usual static exhibition either; NGS has taken pains to design an experimental format filled with “floating” artworks, “wearable” installations (including one that has birds, plants, sand and more), and interactive experiences that spill outside of the galleries into public spaces.

Get your tickets here.

Nov 18-Mar 24, 2024, 10am-7pm daily, at National Gallery Singapore 

It’s been a banner year for live music festivals in Singapore and one of the biggest yet is newly opened multi-sport venue Trifecta‘s  (Asia’s first snow, surf, and skate lifestyle destination) eponymous festival, which is billed as Singapore’s first music-meets-board sports festival.

Held at Orchard Road, Trifecta Music Festival will feature a star-studded lineup of 28 acts from Singapore and across the region over two days, including five-time Platinum record artist Ruel (pictured), Thai singer-songwriter Phum Viphurit, New Zealand singer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Amelia Murray (Fazerdaze), and Lola Amour, one of the largest award-winning pop, funk, and rock bands in the Philippines today. 

One of Australia’s fastest rising pop acts with over two billion global streams and three sold-out world tours, Ruel will be headlining day one of the festival, while beloved Thai indie folk charmer Phum Viphurit will be headlining day two. Singapore acts and DJs on day one include Shye, Abangsapau, Forests, RRILEY, Subsonic Eye, Ginette Chittick, Itch, Vira Suria, A’ALEY, Toppings and Muto from Ice Cream Sundays, Fauxe, BGourd, and YAO, with DJ Collective EMONIGHTSG closing the day with a special party featuring their signature blend of alternative rock, pop punk, and emo soundtracks.

Day two will also include other Singapore acts like Club Mild, Cashew Chemists, A/K/A Sounds, Kaye and Daryl Knows from Darker than Wax, LewLoh, Akeem Jahat, Abangsapau and Leland. EATMEPOPTART’s Resident DJs weelikeme and KiDG will close the festival with a indie-pop filled party.

Get your tickets here.

Nov 18 and 19, various times, at Trifecta, 10A Exeter Road

Okay, it’s time to get your Christmas shopping started and one of the best platforms to do so in one spot is the biannual Boutique Fairs. The upcoming edition marks the 21st anniversary of Boutique Fairs Singapore, and the organisers say it’s one of the biggest editions to date, with over 300 brands participating, 80 of which will be making their debut at The Gifting Edition, including minimalist plant store Soilboy, silk scarf atelier Momme Studio, and homegrown fashion label Good Addition. Several international brands will also be making their Singapore debut at Boutique Fairs Singapore, such as Beam Bold, a Hong Kong-based label that specialises in size-inclusive and sustainable resort wear.

It’s not just about shopping either – in line with its mission to support the next generation of designers, Boutique Fairs Singapore will be bringing back the Young Designers Showcase Grant. This initiative will recognize up-and-coming designers between the ages of 18 and 30 who have not yet had the opportunity to showcase their work at the event; grant recipients will receive a subsidised physical space at the fair and the chance to interact with new customers and potential partners.

There are also social enterprises and non-profit organisations which have been sponsored with booths by the fair to spotlight the work they do – these include Daughters of Tomorrow, Sew Can We, and Happiness Initiative, all of which champion female and social empowerment and equal opportunities.

Get your tickets here.

Nov 17-19, 10am-8pm daily (till 6pm on Nov 19), at F1 Pit Building 

You’ve seen our recent coverage of Leica’s Celebration of Photography (COP) affair – the storied German camera maker’s annual event dedicated to championing various facets of photography. Now the brand is bringing the COP to Singapore with a new exhibition titled Her Lens, Her Narrative, which features the works of five photographers who come from diverse backgrounds and delves into the distinctive viewpoints of women in the realm of photography.

The five women photographers include two Singaporeans, Rebecca Toh (her work pictured here) and Michele Fong, alongside Daria Troitskaia from Russia, Nicole Tung from Hong Kong, and Melbourne-based Shanghai photographer Teresa Qin.

“At Leica Camera, we are committed to championing and uplifting female photographers, not only in Singapore but worldwide. Through the lens of a woman, the world unfolds with a distinctive grace, unveiling perspectives that echo the heartbeat of inspiration. This exhibition stands as our heartfelt tribute, expressing deep respect for their boundless creativity, skills, and discerning eyes,” says Sunil Kaul, Managing Director of Leica Camera Asia Pacific.

Fans of the brand can also look forward to checking out three of Leica’s newest product launches: the Leica Cine 1, its first cinema TV which won the iF Design Award 2023; and the Leica SOFORT 2, a stylish hybrid digicam that’s able to print photos. Finally, there’s the Leica ZM 11 timepiece – an elegant, everyday-friendly watch that seriously makes the case that Leica’s precision-driven abilities are a natural fit for the world of watch-making.

Entry is free, register here.

Nov 18-26, 10am-10pm, at Ion Art Gallery, Level 4, Ion Orchard

The free-wheeling Gen Z art platform 0rbit is back with another party, this time it’s called FRACTALITY and it features a wide variety of genre-spanning makers and DJs, including Mulan Theory, who specialises in combining hyperpoop, ads, religion, BASS, trailer, soundtrack, orchestral, AI, local slang and disrespectful transitions; deconstructed frapcore whizz Aleezon; experimental producer Fauxe, artisinal electronic music wizard Ceratone and artist Kansh, who’s also 0rbit’s organiser. As with all of 0rbit’s events, queer folks are their priority and take center stage.

Get your tickets here.

Nov 17, 10pm till late, at Ikigai, #B1 #01/06 The Riverwalk