Singapore Art Week is back. This year’s edition is massive: from 19 to 28 January, you’ll see over 130 art activations happening around town—exhibitions, gallery openings, panels, street art launches… you name it. But the annual arts event will not just bring art lovers, buyers and collectors together. There’s something in it for the fashion crowd, too (we’re looking at you, GRAZIA girls).
Below, our curation of the highlights of Singapore Art Week 2024 for those who enjoy art, fashion and fun in equal measure.
Valentino x Sarah Choo Jing: Gestures of Affection
When: 16 to 28 January
Where: Soho House Residency at The Warehouse Hotel
After collaborating with Thai artist Pinaree Sanpitak last year, Valentino is once again participating in Singapore Art Week—this time through a collaboration with Singaporean artist Sarah Choo Jing. The Italian fashion brand has commissioned Jing for a new series titled Gestures of Affection. Inspired by the messages behind Valentino’s Spring/Summer 2024 collection, the series comprises seven video and print artworks that celebrate the complexity of the female experience: Jing’s subjects are portrayed as different phases of the moon as they embody qualities like empathy, vulnerability, and passion. Gestures of Affection is now on view in the lobby of The Warehouse Hotel as part of the Soho House Residency. Aligning with both Jing’s and Valentino’s values, the Italian fashion brand will donate the net proceeds from the sale of the series to the pioneering women’s rights organisation, Aware.
Shanghai Tang x Jacky Tsai: The Return of the Tang Dragon
When: 16 to 22 January
Where: Shanghai Tang boutique, Marina Bay Sands
Ten years after their bestselling collaboration, Shanghai Tang and Shanghainese artist Jacky Tsai have teamed up yet again for the “Auspicious Dragon” collection. Marking the Hong Kong fashion brand’s 30th anniversary, the collection encompasses homeware, accessories and ready-to-wear pieces for men and women (including a totally rad, reversible jacket). The pieces all feature Tsai’s elaborate interpretation of the dragon. The motif is a fitting one: it nods to this year’s zodiac animal, as well as the artist’s first collaboration with Shanghai Tang. That’s also why the Hong Kong brand has titled its new showcase of Tsai’s artworks as “The Return of the Tang Dragon”. At the exhibition, held at the Shanghai Tang boutique in Marina Bay Sands, visitors can also make Tsai’s artworks come alive with AR effects through the use of the Zhen app.
The Hour Glass with MB&F and Smith & Winken
When: 18 to 21 January
Where: Basement 2, Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre
The Hour Glass presents Ukrainian art duo Smith & Winken’s Endless Movement series, in collaboration with the watch brand MB&F this Singapore Art Week. Out of the series’ 20 bionic kinetic sculptures, seven will be on display—Hover, Tessen, Gemini, Christopher, Flipper, Skipper, and the unique creation Spero—making up Smith & Winken’s first showing in Singapore. The seven sculptures express the beauty of precision, mechanically powered movement, and rejection of prescriptiveness with their intriguing blend of retro and futuristic art influences. “Each exhibition is an opportunity to convey our sense of inner freedom through our objects, which work better than a thousand words. This way, we can convey our emotions, stories and who we are: free people with a powerful culture and great potential for creativity,” says Smith, whose real name is Valeriy Kuznetsov.
Night Moves Party
When: 20 January
Where: Soho House Residency at The Warehouse Hotel
Coinciding with Singapore Art Week 2024, Soho House is taking over The Warehouse Hotel for its Soho House Residency. From 17 to 20 January, members of the private club can sign up for an array of events including talks by notable figures in the art world, workshops and guided tours. But on our radar is the Night Moves party: expect an exciting night with live musical performances by South Korean rapper Lil Cherry and electronic artist Elle Shimada, as well as DJ sets from Kindergarchy and Miss Lil. Get your tickets here.
Philip Colbert: Journey to the Lobster Planet
When: 6 January to 3 March
Where: Whitestone Gallery Singapore
Here’s a reason to check out Philip Colbert’s art, if you’re not already a fan: the legendary fashion editor André Leon Talley once described the British pop artist as the “godson of Andy Warhol”. Convinced? Then head to Whitestone Gallery at Tanjong Pagar Distripark, which is now showing Colbert’s first large-scale solo exhibition in Singapore. Across his artworks, you can expect plenty of appearances from his signature cartoon lobster persona. Speaking of lobsters, Surrey Hills Grocer is celebrating the exhibition with a new, limited-edition menu item: the Philip Colbert Lobster Roll, featuring fresh Canadian lobster served in a buttery brioche bun with spiced zucchini fries on the side. You can try it at the café’s outlets at Ion Orchard and Raffles City, where you can also shop exclusive merchandise featuring Colbert’s art. Surrey Hills Grocer Raffles City will also host a meet and greet session with the artist on 30 January from 7.30 pm to 8.30pm. To join, simply shop the merchandise or dine in and try the new roll.
James Murphy DJ Set
When: 19 January
Where: Hawaii Nite Club
Collective Minds Asia and homegrown fashion label The Salvages are throwing one of the coolest parties of Singapore Art Week 2024—with James Murphy as the DJ. The New York artist, best known for his music project LCD Soundsystem, will be spinning disco, punk and electronic tunes for you to Dance Yrself Clean to. Before that, the party will kick off with an opening DJ set by The Salvages’s co-founder Nicolette. There are very limited tickets left—get one here.