SINGAPORE.-In its second edition, the Singapore Art Show is a national visual arts platform dedicated to celebrating and presenting local visual arts and artists. It is also an important avenue to build public appreciation of our diverse visual arts practices. Organised by the National Arts Council (NAC), Singapore Art Show 2007 (SAS2007) will be held from 2 August to 8 October 2007. Spread over 2 months across 47 different venues, it features a main platform, the Singapore Art Exhibition (SAE), as well as 31 partner programmes and 5 satellite events. Together, they present unique curatorial visions and art forms, accessible outreach activities and public art components which engage people in a myriad of visual and interactive activities.

SAS2007 provides an umbrella platform for different voices in the wider community - institutions, artists, art groups and even private collections. This collective approach provides something for everyone and activates the creative expression not only of artists, but also of Singaporeans in general. While showcasing excellence in Singapore art, SAS2007 is also an important platform for developing Singapore’s artistic talents. Its various programmes provide the opportunity to discover and nurture artistic talents, as well as develop the capabilities of young curators. From experimental projects to re-presentations of traditional and ethnic forms, SAS2007 presents a strong and distinctive line-up with something for everyone.

Singapore Art Exhibition - To be held at the Singapore Art Museum from 3 August to 3 September, SAE provides a comprehensive survey of Singapore art through both an invited and open section.

The theme for the invited section is Imagining the City. Curated by Low Sze Wee and Seng Yu Jin, twenty Singaporean and Singapore-based artists ranging from the young-and-upcoming to pioneering and established artists have been selected to showcase their works. Artists include Chua Ek Kay, Goh Beng Kwan, Tan Choh Tee, Lim Tze Peng, Foo Tee Jun, Hong Sek Chern, Raymond Lau, Francis Ng and Michael Lee. Selection is based on their past body of works and their ability to produce or submit works that would respond to the curatorial theme.

In the open section, works from between 60 to 80 promising and emerging artists culled from the 749 entries submitted will showcase and celebrate the creative talents of a variety of visual artists based in Singapore. The open section will award two prizes. The International Residency Prize, will award a residency grant of up to $50,000 chosen by the selection panel and administered by NAC. My Favourite Artwork will award a cash prize of $5000 to the artist whose artwork receives the highest number of visitors’ votes. The voters of the chosen favourite artwork will also stand a chance to win prizes by Samsung in the My Favourite Artwork Voters’ Prize draw.

Creating New Experiences - The biennial festival actively encourages public appreciation and engagement in visual arts in Singapore. SAS2007 aims to expand on the current base of visual arts audiences and develop new audiences, providing them opportunities to gain a better understanding and appreciation of visual arts.

“Presenting novel opportunities to enjoy a diversity of visual art forms, the 2007 Singapore Art Show is about experiencing art in a fresh way. I think many Singaporeans will be pleasantly surprised by the activities we have in store. These aim to encourage people to encounter the arts in new and exciting ways. We have put together an extravaganza of art and activity for Singaporeans in which we hope they will actively participate in!” said Mr Lee Suan Hiang, Chairman of the SAS07 Steering Committee and Chief Executive Officer, NAC.

There are numerous public programmes that Singaporeans can participate in such as talks, workshops, blogging, picnics and parties. In Curating Lab, audiences are invited to participate in an assortment of special programmes led by three artist-curators – Heman Chong, Cheo Chai Hiang and Joselina Cruz, which include a mini street carnival at Little India, viewing videos in a shopping mall and tours that present alternative ways to experience the spaces, places and geography of Singapore. It explores the role of the artist-curator and is an experimental platform for local curators to collaborate with local artists on original and innovative projects that situate and install their art in everyday spaces.

Audiences could also possibly meet their soul-mate while discussing Singapore art over drinks at The SAS Unconference, hop on a bus tour of art galleries, view rare and valuable corporate collections of Singapore’s artists, re-discover traditional and contemporary applications of photography, water-colour, sculpture, batik, print-making, and tattooing, get more closely acquainted with installations and performance art, or be key collaborators in artworks that help re-define historical sites in Singapore through art.

The official launch of the Singapore Art Show will be held on 2 August at the Singapore Art Museum and will be officiated by Dr Lee Boon Yang, Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts.