We checked out some of the first exhibitions to open for Singapore Art Week (January 13-19) at two Gillman Barracks galleries, ARNDT and Sundaram Tagore Gallery. At the former is German sculptor Stephan Balkenhol‘s first solo show in Singapore. Although he is already a veteran in the European arts scene, his work has never before been showcased on its own in Southeast Asia. So it was clearly pretty exciting. The works, mainly statuettes of ordinary people, were superb. Though created with a childlike, nonchalant hand, the results were haunting, as though the figures had lives of their own.
Another sculptural show that debuted on the same day is Singaporean artist Jane Lee‘s polished, impeccably executed works at Sundaram Tagore Gallery, which we always enjoy visiting. You can clearly tell that this gallery makes the effort to showcase young female artists, which is important in the (still) male-dominated art world.
We also got a sneak preview of the inaugural Art In Motion art tours, which take pampered art goers in air-conditioned comfort to a wide variety of top notch galleries all over the island. Upon entering each gallery, there’s a brief tour that takes participants through the works. Art Plural Gallery, which is owned by gallerists with absurdly good taste, was a definite standout, but we think the so-cute-it-hurts Windowshop at Chan Hampe is the ultimate crowd pleaser and is sure to win over many locals’ hearts. Just check out Dawn Ng’s installation at Loof: we’re definitely game for more bar-gallery collabs.
