Culture
National Gallery Singapore, City Hall
This museum set across two national monuments – the former Supreme Court and City Hall – houses the world’s largest public collection of Southeast Asian modern art. Through exhibitions co-curated with the likes of Tate Britain and Centre Pompidou, the gallery explores parallels between regional artists and global creatives.
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STPI Creative Workshop & Gallery, River Valley
Inside a converted century-old warehouse by the Singapore River, this art space pushes the envelope in the mediums of print and paper. STPI was the first Singaporean gallery to be selected for Art Basel and its residencies have drawn names such as Ashley Bickerton and Do Ho Suh. Regular programmes include guided gallery tours and workshops in woodblock printing and etching.
Tanjong Pagar Distripark, Tanjong Pagar
Singapore’s new art enclave, Tanjong Pagar Distripark, is located among towering cranes and containers by the port. The warehouse space is home to the Singapore Art Museum, an institution for contemporary Southeast Asian art, as well as galleries including Gajah, Whitestone and Haridas Contemporary. Exhibition venue Artspace@Helutrans is docked here too.
Peranakan Museum, City Hall
The Peranakans are a cross-cultural ethnic group, whose origins date back to the 15th century, when Chinese traders married women from the Malay Archipelago, resulting in a unique tapestry of language, customs and fashion. This museum features one of the most comprehensive collections of Peranakan objects, providing visitors a rare glimpse into this little-known Southeast Asian community.
Appetite, Telok Ayer
Originally a research lab for sister restaurant Nouri, Appetite is now an art gallery, record lounge and kitchen. Eschewing the traditional white-cube format, it showcases work by established and emerging artists – many making their Singapore debut – in a casual and intimate setting.
Filmhouse, Kampong Glam
Independent cinema Filmhouse is the comeback project of now-defunct theatre The Projector. It is housed in the brutalist Golden Mile Tower and continues to spotlight cult classics, regional films, prestigious studio titles and more. What’s new is an eye-catching 1960s-inspired foyer design, Mag Audio speakers and a 4K Xenon lamp projector.
