64
{ }
New blood
GillmanBarracks
PHOTOS
SINGAPORE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD
(
GILLMAN BARRACKS); SILVERLENS (ARTWORK)
S I N G A P O R E ’ S C R E A T I V E C L U S T E R S
“
An art scene is defined by the art
created and exhibited, and how well
it functions as a meeting place for
the exchange of ideas between local
and international art communities.
This is what Gillman Barracks will
bring to Singapore,” says Dr. Eugene
Tan, programme director of the EDB’s
Lifestyle Programme Office. “The
galleries will present new and exciting
exhibitions by artists from different
countries. They will showcase some
of the best and most important art
internationally.” This includes works
by Zhang Enli at China’s ShanghART
Gallery, Yayoi Kusama at Japan’s
Ota Fine Arts, Christian Thompson at
Australia’s Future Perfect, and Annie
Leibovitz at the US’ Sundaram Tagore
Gallery, among others.
The Philippines has a place —
two, in fact — at Gillman Barracks:
Silverlens and The Drawing Room,
where visitors can view the latest by
Geraldine Javier, Jose Legaspi and
Mariano Ching, just to name a few.
“
The public will be inspired by
the quality and diversity of the
contemporary art exhibitions at Gillman
Barracks,” relates Dr. Tan. “International
artists will visit Singapore, prepare
for their exhibitions, and engage in
talks and outreach programs that the
galleries will be planning. Many of the
galleries are also exploring the idea of
exhibiting artists from Singapore and
the region. Plus the international artist
residency program begins next year.”
This can only strengthen Singapore’s
position as an arts hub in Asia, he
stresses. “I believe Singapore is making
good progress. Through Gillman
Barracks, local and regional artists
will be groomed by international
galleries and have access to greater
opportunities through the galleries’
networks and platforms,” he predicts.
The Singapore Economic Development
Board (EDB), JTC Corporation and the
National Arts Council (NAC) are serious
when they labeled Gillman Barracks a
“
contemporary arts destination”. The
three jointly developed six hectares —
and conserved 1930s military barracks
—
to come up with 14 buildings (five
of which will house 13 art galleries),
outdoor spaces, three restaurants, a
not-for-profit art organization called
Yellow River Arts Centre, and the
Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA)
Singapore. Named after British general
Webb Gillman, Gillman Barracks only
launched more than two weeks ago,
with a few facilities still slated to open
next year.
Above right:
Bliss (2012)
by
Luis Lorenzana
is on display at
Silverlens; (below)
Gillman Barracks
Block 9 artist
impression
