Art What!: UOB kicks off artist alumni network with sharing session as it launches the 2025 UOB Painting of the Year competition

UOB conducted the first sharing session for its newly-formed Artist Alumni Network of UOB Painting of the Year (UOB POY) artists on 5 May 2025. Past UOB POY winners and participants gathered at The Artground for a sharing by three artists to kick off the call for entries for this year’s competition, which is into its 44th year. Established in 1982, the UOB POY is the … Continue reading Art What!: UOB kicks off artist alumni network with sharing session as it launches the 2025 UOB Painting of the Year competition

Art What!: Singapore Celebrates 60 Years of Independence with an Enticing Multisensory Pavilion ‘RASA-TABULA-SINGAPURA’ at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025

VENICE, ITALY – In celebration of Singapore’s 60th year of independence (SG60), the Singapore Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025 invites visitors to take a seat at the Table of Superdiversity—an enticing reimagination of city-making and nation-building through the universal act of dining. Titled RASA-TABULA-SINGAPURA, the Pavilion reinterprets the Latin notion of tabula rasa (a blank slate) as a multisensory experience. Here, RASA (taste in Malay), TABULA … Continue reading Art What!: Singapore Celebrates 60 Years of Independence with an Enticing Multisensory Pavilion ‘RASA-TABULA-SINGAPURA’ at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025

Art What!: ‘Diplomacy and Desire – Basoeki Abdullah in Singapore’ at National Gallery Singapore

National Gallery Singapore presents Diplomacy and Desire: Basoeki Abdullah in Singapore, a solo exhibition by celebrated Indonesian painter Basoeki Abdullah (1915–1993), known for his striking portraits and high-profile patrons across postcolonial Southeast Asia. Housed in Dalam Southeast Asia – the Gallery’s experimental project that showcases curatorial experimentation and platforms lesser-known perspectives on the region’s art and histories – the exhibition offers a provocative look at … Continue reading Art What!: ‘Diplomacy and Desire – Basoeki Abdullah in Singapore’ at National Gallery Singapore

Art What!: ‘Fernando Zóbel – Order is Essential’ at National Gallery Singapore

National Gallery Singapore presents Fernando Zóbel: Order is Essential, the museum’s first-ever solo exhibition dedicated to transcontinental abstract artist Fernando Zóbel (1924–1984) and Singapore’s inaugural showcase of his work. Opening on 9 May, the exhibition features over 200 pieces — including paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, and archival materials. It introduces Zóbel to new audiences, offering fresh insights into his multifaceted contributions as an artist, patron, … Continue reading Art What!: ‘Fernando Zóbel – Order is Essential’ at National Gallery Singapore

★★★★★ Review: SALINA by Teater Kami

Faithful adaptation of Malay literary classic is a nostalgic triumph and pertinent reminder of the struggles of our forebears. A. Samad Said’s SALINA has never been an easy novel to adapt for the stage. Teater Kami artistic director Atin Amat knows this, having previously adapted it twice back in the ’90s, when resources were far more limited. Now, commissioned by the Esplanade for the 2025 … Continue reading ★★★★★ Review: SALINA by Teater Kami

★★★★☆ Review: My Name Is (Not) Khan by Hafidz Rahman

Whether a Khan or a Rahman, this is a show that calls for the unabashed celebration and embrace of one’s own multicultural identity. Over the last few years, theatremaker Hafidz Rahman has shot to fame for his viral videos he’s posted on social media, whether as a lovable tudung makcik, or for sharing creepy ghost stories. But how many people out there know the real … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: My Name Is (Not) Khan by Hafidz Rahman

Art What!: Wifredo Lam – Outside In at STPI

STPI – Creative Workshop & Gallery presents Outside In, the first solo exhibition in Southeast Asia dedicated to pioneering artist Wifredo Lam (1902–1982). On view from 24 May to 13 July 2025, the STPI Annual Special Exhibition brings together over 60 works on paper from the Wifredo Lam Estate, offering rare insight into the printmaking practice of an artist who is increasingly recognised as one … Continue reading Art What!: Wifredo Lam – Outside In at STPI

Pesta Raya 2025: An Interview with Hafidz Rahman on ‘My Name is (NOT) Khan’

In spite of his years of working in theatre and the arts, with plenty of comedy sketches both onstage and online, artist Hafidz Rahman is doing something he’s never done before – a full-length one-man show. Best known for his viral comedy videos on social media (@asonofapeach), Hafidz is set to premiere My Name Is (NOT) Khan this May, as part of the Esplanade – … Continue reading Pesta Raya 2025: An Interview with Hafidz Rahman on ‘My Name is (NOT) Khan’

Pesta Raya 2025: An Interview with director Atin Amat and actor Fir Rahman on staging ‘SALINA’

It’s been almost three decades since the last time local Malay theatre company Teater Kami staged a theatrical adaptation of Malaysia’s National Laureate A. Samad Said’s seminal novel SALINA. But that’s about to change, as it receives a brand new staging as part of the Esplanade’s 2025 Pesta Raya – Malay Festival of Arts. Adapted and directed by Teater Kami artistic director Atin Amat, SALINA … Continue reading Pesta Raya 2025: An Interview with director Atin Amat and actor Fir Rahman on staging ‘SALINA’

Preview: Singapore, Michigan by Pangdemonium!

This June, a brand new play is set to take the stage at Singapore Airlines Theatre, with a world premiere that blends history, humour, and heart. Commissioned by Pangdemonium as part of their New Works Lab playwriting programme, Singapore, Michigan is written by up-and-coming playwright Chong An Ong, and promises to be a thought-provoking debut that follows the journey of three friends—two Singaporeans and one … Continue reading Preview: Singapore, Michigan by Pangdemonium!