Singapore Art Museum Opens New Collection Gallery with “Everyday Practices” Exhibition

The Singapore Art Museum (SAM) is set to open its new collection gallery at Tanjong Pagar Distripark, debuting with the thought-provoking exhibition, Everyday Practices. Starting from 30 August 2024, this exhibition reaffirms SAM’s dedication to curating contemporary art that inspires deep reflection on the complexities of our world today.

Located in the newly established Gallery 4 on Level 3, Everyday Practices showcases the diverse works of 19 artists and one artist collective from 10 Asian countries. Drawing inspiration from Tehching Hsieh’s One Year Performance 1978–1979, the exhibition explores themes of “everyday,” “repetition,” and “endurance.” Hsieh’s pioneering work, which saw him spend a year in solitude within a self-constructed cell, serves as a conceptual anchor for this exhibition, highlighting how routine and time can transform into profound artistic expressions.

Everyday Practices delves into how artists use daily routines and lived experiences as powerful statements of resilience in the face of adversity. For example, Maria Taniguchi’s Untitled (MT_116) features an endless brickwork pattern, meticulously hand-drawn and washed with black acrylic, symbolizing the passage of time and the labor-intensive nature of her art. Meanwhile, Htein Lin’s Soap Blocked installation, composed of hundreds of hand-carved soap blocks forming a map of Myanmar, reflects his personal history of imprisonment and the collective struggles under military rule.

Other featured works include Khvay Samnang’s Untitled, which captures the artist’s symbolic act of pouring sand over himself in various Cambodian lakes, a commentary on the displacement of communities due to illegal land sales. Minstrel Kuik’s Domesticated Politics reimagines flags from Malaysia’s 2013 General Elections, while Svay Sareth’s Mon Boulet portrays the artist’s arduous journey dragging an 80-kilogram metal ball, symbolizing Cambodia’s lingering historical burdens.

The exhibition also highlights the personal narratives of artists like Jerome Kugan, whose The Internalised Self series explores themes of identity and resilience in the face of HIV, and Imhathai Suwatthanasilp’s The Flower Field, a poignant tribute to cancer patients and survivors.

Running until 20 July 2025, Everyday Practices offers a rich exploration of how routine actions can serve as subtle forms of resistance and survival. The exhibition is accompanied by a series of public programs, including guided tours and artist talks. Admission is free until 3 December 2024, after which general fees will apply.