From an introverted painter to a pint-size embroiderer, here are five artists to know in Singapore
The Singapore art scene is evolving. In 2016, the country saw almost 6,000 non-ticketed performing arts activities. From 2012 to 2019, it saw a total of more than 5.1 million visitors frequenting its museums and heritage institutions. And then, between 2012 and 2017, the government pumped in nearly US$220 million to boost the country’s culture sector.
As a result, the country’s talent pool is growing. From a visual artist with a knack for zoology to a painter exploring the boundaries of public art, here are five artists you need to know in Singapore.
Ruben Pang
Best Known For His colourful ethereal paintings, which are created using oil paint and alkyd resin. His work reflects his spontaneous approach—Pang paints, scratches and erases his paintings using brushes, palette knives, sandpaper and his hands.
Need To Know His art has been widely showcased, from galleries across Asia to exhibitions in countries such as Italy, Switzerland, Norway, Australia and the US.
Quote “We’re all very well-trained in being critical and I think that’s necessary for developing ourselves, but we also start seeing very little value in just observing without judgement.”
Did You Know? If he didn’t become an artist, Pang might have pursued a career as a race-car driver. The idea came to him after he watched movies such as Vanishing Point and Gone in 60 Seconds. “There’s great pleasure in the physical and sonic feedback of pushing a machine to its limits and familiarising yourself with something powerful and volatile,” he says. “It’s about chasing an out-of-body experience.”
