Step into a world where art transcends boundaries at White Space: The Living Space, a thought-provoking exhibition hosted at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA). Curated from NAFA’s Permanent Collection, this showcase reimagines the concept of “white space” as a dynamic platform for creativity, blending tradition with contemporary experimentation. From vanishing heritage homes to reimagined urban landscapes, the works invite viewers to reflect on identity, displacement, and the ever-evolving stories of Southeast Asia.
Highlights from the Collection
Dive into standout works that bridge past and present:
1. Ho Leng’s The ‘Living’ Room Series (2010)
Medium: Photolithography Print on Latex Paper | Size: 79 x 148 cm
A poignant ode to Malaysia’s disappearing heritage, this series documents a century-old Hokkien family home in Muar. Living Room #03 – Forgotten captures elderly residents clinging to their crumbling abode, while Living Room #09 – Released juxtaposes abandonment with the promise of renewal as younger generations relinquish the land. A haunting exploration of memory and impermanence.
2. Hong Sek Chern’s Threshold (2023)
Medium: Chinese Ink and Color on Paper | Size: 150 x 150 cm
This striking piece reimagines Singapore’s urban sprawl through fragmented Google Maps images of MRT stations and malls. Using traditional paper-mounting techniques, Chern layers painted spaces to evoke liminality—where openings and closures coexist ambiguously. A modern meditation on how digital footprints reshape our sense of place.
3. Koh Liang Jiang’s Dragon (2016)
Medium: Ink on Papyrus | Size: 20 x 29 cm
A nostalgic tribute to Singapore’s iconic Dragon Playgrounds, this intricate drawing contrasts a father’s vivid memories of 1980s communal joy with his child’s bewilderment at its ruins. Koh’s mastery of ink transforms papyrus into a canvas for myth and melancholy, bridging generational divides in a rapidly modernizing city.
Why Visit?
- Cultural Dialogue: Engage with works that reinterpret Southeast Asian identity through heritage, mythology, and urban transformation.
- Free Admission: Accessible to all, fostering community connection through art.
- Artist Insights: Discover how NAFA-trained artists like Koh Liang Jiang blend rigorous tradition with bold contemporary vision.
Exhibition Details
Venue:
Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA)
The Ngee Ann Kongsi Galleries 1 & 2
80 Bencoolen Street, Singapore 189655
Dates:
28 March – 22 April 2025
Opening Hours:
11:00 AM – 7:00 PM | Closed Mondays & Public Holidays
Free Admission