Art: UOB Painting of the Year set to elevate artistic excellence in its 45th edition with a festival and more

For decades, the UOB Painting of the Year competition has quietly shaped the careers of some of Southeast Asia’s most respected artists. Now, as it enters its 45th edition, the long-running art prize is stepping beyond the traditional competition format — and into the wider community. This year, UOB will launch its first-ever arts festival in Singapore, transforming what was once largely an industry-facing awards … Continue reading Art: UOB Painting of the Year set to elevate artistic excellence in its 45th edition with a festival and more

Preview: Cultural Extravaganza 2026 by Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre

If you’re looking to refresh your cultural calendar this May, there’s one event quietly shaping up to be a highlight of the season. The Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) is bringing back its annual Cultural Extravaganza, and this year’s edition feels less like a formal showcase and more like a vibrant, living snapshot of Singapore’s evolving Chinese arts scene. Running from 7 May to 7 … Continue reading Preview: Cultural Extravaganza 2026 by Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre

Tender Urgency: An Interview with rising artist Lucas Tan on his debut solo exhibition ‘Pressure Points’ at Haridas Contemporary

Lucas Tan paints as if trying to hold something just a moment longer, capturing an expression, a touch, a glance that might otherwise slip away. In his debut solo exhibition Pressure Points, the Singapore-based painter offers a body of 14 works that is at once intimate and composed, grounded in lived experience yet carefully constructed into images that linger. It’s a wildly successful work for … Continue reading Tender Urgency: An Interview with rising artist Lucas Tan on his debut solo exhibition ‘Pressure Points’ at Haridas Contemporary

Art: Passion is Volcanic – Desire in Southeast Asian Art at National Gallery Singapore

At National Gallery Singapore, its latest exhibition, Passion is Volcanic, announces itself with a sense of anticipation the moment the tour begins, not as a quiet, contemplative walkthrough, but as something far more alive. Even before the artworks begin, the tone is set: there’s a heightened awareness that this is a space with boundaries, with its unprecedented R18 rating, and strict rules of no photography … Continue reading Art: Passion is Volcanic – Desire in Southeast Asian Art at National Gallery Singapore

Visual Art: core_memory – A solo exhibition by Chok Si Xuan at starch

This April, a new exhibition is asking big questions about the devices we carry, the systems we depend on, and the invisible histories embedded within them. From 17 April to 17 May 2026, artist Chok Si Xuan presents core_memory, a solo exhibition at starch, a space known for pushing the boundaries of experimental art. But this isn’t your typical gallery show. It’s an immersive, almost … Continue reading Visual Art: core_memory – A solo exhibition by Chok Si Xuan at starch

Art Under Viaduct Spaces’s “Trainforest” blooms beneath Kembangan MRT and transforms the daily commute

There’s something magical happening beneath the tracks at Kembangan MRT station. What was once an overlooked stretch of concrete has been reimagined into a vibrant, living canvas, one that invites commuters to pause, look closer, and perhaps even smile on their daily journeys. Unveiled on 31 March 2026, Trainforest is a public art installation that celebrates inclusivity, creativity, and community, brought to life across 13 … Continue reading Art Under Viaduct Spaces’s “Trainforest” blooms beneath Kembangan MRT and transforms the daily commute

Visual Art: Singapore Art Museum’s 2026 Calendar Marks 30 Years of Bold, Boundary-Pushing Art

As Singapore Art Museum (SAM) turns 30 in 2026, it marks a milestone year of redefining what a contemporary art institution can be. From its home base at Tanjong Pagar Distripark to major global platforms like the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, SAM is amplifying Southeast Asian voices while inviting the world into conversation. This anniversary year promises a dynamic mix … Continue reading Visual Art: Singapore Art Museum’s 2026 Calendar Marks 30 Years of Bold, Boundary-Pushing Art

Art: He Xiangning – Ink and Intent at National Gallery Singapore

Before she became a name in art history, He Xiangning was already living an extraordinary life. Born in 1878, she was not only a painter but also a revolutionary, a political figure, and a fierce advocate for women’s rights. She was among the first women to join the revolutionary alliance led by Sun Yat-sen, and later organised one of China’s earliest International Women’s Day rallies. … Continue reading Art: He Xiangning – Ink and Intent at National Gallery Singapore

The Hour Glass Announced as Principal Patron of Arts House Group

In a city that moves at remarkable speed, there are still places where time seems to pause where history, craft, and culture quietly endure. One such landmark is the Victoria Clock Tower, a familiar silhouette in Singapore’s civic district. Now, it begins a new chapter through a meaningful partnership that blends heritage with contemporary cultural life. Leading watch retailer The Hour Glass has been named … Continue reading The Hour Glass Announced as Principal Patron of Arts House Group

Art: OH! Open House and Thai Contemporary Art Icon Mit Jai Inn Launch ‘Marking Punggol’

What if the price of a piece of art wasn’t money, but time? That’s the premise behind “Marking Punggol,” a new public exhibition that invites visitors to trade volunteer hours for artworks. Presented by OH! Open House in collaboration with Thai contemporary artist Mit Jai Inn, the project transforms community service into cultural currency. Opening 14–29 March 2026 at Waterway Point, the exhibition features 99 … Continue reading Art: OH! Open House and Thai Contemporary Art Icon Mit Jai Inn Launch ‘Marking Punggol’