While Singapore is highly known as a major financial hub, along with many other things - from our airport to our food, our art scene needs a bit more help. We all remember that infamous infographic a few months ago about artists being non-essential, right? But what do local artists - or artists in the making - really think of this? I’ve gone to the streets, rather to my contact list, to ask some art students what they think of Singapore’s art scene.
There is a definite lack in Singapore’s art scene, as compared to other western countries. Studying for a BA in Dance Education, Cleo Ong notes that this is not just a problem in Singapore. She notes that “there is definitely a lack of emphasis to begin with [in Singapore]... but… I’ve found that it’s more of a thing in Asia. We value things we feel like will bring big bucks [and] financial stability”.
Back in 2018, Mr Howard Yu, former gallerist and director of Da Tang Fine Arts Enterprise Pte Ltd, similarly mentioned in the Epoch Times that Singaporeans lack passion to learn and appreciate art. He notes that “in Singapore, most people are economic-driven rather than aesthetic driven”. And even for those with an interest in art, Cleo notes that “Singapore’s arts educators are extra hard on their students. They always emphasize how if you are not the most strong [and] flexible dancer [for example], you won’t be able to find a job - which always creates fear and unhappiness for students…”
While on the other hand, Graduating with a Fine Arts Diploma in the midst of a pandemic, Laura Pelea noted that “artists are very adaptable creatures. The more you confine them, the wilder their imaginations form. They will think of a way to create. Sometimes, we don’t need a big and loud showcase of works, a lot of us value the intimacy of “small” spaces. So, while everything is being on hold, we are quietly observing, thinking, writing, and creating in our own little spaces with whatever is available at strange, convenient times. Unfortunate events had to happen for a better future, and the artists are always there to observe”.
Due to the pandemic, the art industry has been hit strongly. Due to cancellations of exhibitions and events, this pandemic has cost the art scene in Singapore at least $2.6 million dollars. Laura noted that “The art ecosystem in Singapore is very small so when the pandemic struck, the were collapses of varying art activities all over Singapore. It’s like a domino effect. I think the art scene in Singapore was very affected especially when dealing with a global life and death virus, they were shunned as if they didn’t matter almost immediately. This was the rise of the people in the medical field. I just see it as a give and take situation hahaha. Independent art spaces had to close-down, and live performances had to be viewed virtually. It’s definitely not the same experience when it is first-hand experience off-screen.”
Developing Singapore’s art scene can definitely value-add to Singapore’s economy as well as culture, as Lorenzo Rudolf (Asia Times, 2018) puts it. Art is everywhere, and as Laura puts it, “artists are not only painters or sculptors. [They] are also netflix creators, musicians etc. who keep us sane… Art isn’t only aesthetics, it’s a way of thinking and so, so much more”. As Singapore is still young, we are able to start building on it’s art culture through many things - from supporting local artists by buying their work from flea markets to attending art jams!
