Drag Revues and Backwards Bach Performances: 7 Innovative Singaporean Artists

In The Bold New Voices of Singapore, the second episode of The Creators Project's global documentary series, Art World, we travel to Art Stage Singapore to check out the island city-state looking to take charge of a growing global marketplace.

Guided by provocative local artists Wong Lip Chin, Ruben Pang, and Donna Ong, we learn about the creative process, the emerging global marketplace for Singaporean artists, and about how they're taking on the country's legacy of artistic regulation and censorship.

For a such a tiny region, there sure a number of contemporary artists working locally, but thinking globally to change the world with their work. Of course we couldn't feature everyone in our documentary, so without further adieu, check out seven more Singaporean artists at the cutting edges of their respective practices:

Charles Lim's long-term project SEA STATE explores the biophysical, political, environmental premise of Singapore as an island city-state. This study of Singapore’s relationship to the sea results in a multi-media presentation of video, drawing, photography, and performance shown at the Singapore Pavilion at the Venice Biennale 2015.

What makes Singapore:The fact that air is so thick with moisture—humidity and the warm seas. It’s only 1’15” off the equator.

Favorite hangouts: Top of the Tuas Second Link (bridge connecting Singapore with Johor, Malaysia) looking down at the sea during the monsoon periods. Technically it's not Singapore, but it's not Malaysia either.

What you wish to see in Singapore: Bicycle lanes and rent control, kelok and jong races (traditional boat races, whereby the sailboats are hand built).

Becca D'Bus produces and hosts RIOT!, Singapore’s only regular drag revue. In April 2015, RIOT! received funding from the controversial No Star Arts Grant.

What makes Singapore: It's a small country, it's easy to connect with local heroes, and not hard to meet visiting ones from far away places.

Favorite hangouts: Kampong Glam where I feel super local, because I know my way around little shops selling incredible things that become my costumes, and little cafes where I eat things that become my body. Orchard Road, where I feel like a tourist in my own country.

What you wish to see in Singapore: A Queer Revolution

Hilmi Johandi's figurative paintings are a playful critique the social and cultural conditions in which we live in, appropriating films and archives of Singapore. In September, New Yorkers get a chance to see Hilmi’s paintings in a group exhibition at Fred Torres Gallery.

What makes Singapore: Comfort Favorite hangouts: Wherever they serve good ol' teh tarik (Singaporean milk tea) and kopi c kosong ping (Singaporean iced latte)

What you wish to see in Singapore: Groups of artists holding critique sessions more often in their respective studios would be nice

(New photographic artwork by the artist made for his first solo show in Beijing entitled "Next Year", on view until 09 August 2015 at UCCA Ullens Center for Contemporary Art) 

Ming Wong's ambitious works are a confluence of performance and film, adroitly engaging both the history of world cinema and pop culture. His latest work combines science fiction, history, and opera. Ming, who is based in Berlin, represented Singapore in the Venice Biennale 2009 with his cinema classic-inspired multi-screen installation Life of Imitation, and a collaborative artwork with Singapore’s last cinema billboard painter. He is known for cross dressing for the sake of art.

What makes Singapore: Singapore is 50 years old? Actually, she´s much older.

Favorite hangouts: Liver spots by Singapore Liver.

What you wish to see in Singapore: Things one is not supposed to see

Sarah Choo Jing is a multidisciplinary artist, combining videos, immersive installations, photography and paintings. Her works focus on the relationship between space and time, forcing us to think about issues of social alienation, in particular in urban surroundings. No surprise, coming from someone who has lived in big cities her whole life—first in Singapore and then in London, where she recently completed her MFA at the Slade School of Art.

What makes Singapore: The sights and sounds of the city, particularly along the streets and alleyways at night.

Favorite hangouts: 1.) Any place where I can wander and perhaps get lost in. 2.) Cafes, where I may work and people watch anonymously.

What you wish to see in Singapore: Ideally, equality and peace on a multitude of levels.

Zul Mahmod integrates 3D forms with sound constructions and soundscapes, often crossing genres and collaborating with other artists. New Yorkers will get to see his work in September at Madison Square Park, as part of Singapore: Inside Out, with a sound installation titled Alice, Did you hear that?, which combine clips from Alice in Wonderland and Brandon Labelle’s Space speak, are you listening?.

What makes Singapore: Food and a coffee shop

Favorite hangouts: Bras Basah coffee shop

What you wish to see in Singapore: More passionate people who dare to follow their dreams

Song-Ming focuses on music as a subject matter. His works span a range of media of visual art and music, influenced by Conceptualism and avant-garde music. For his work Backwards Bach (a video still is reproduced here), Song-Ming learned to play the harpsichord and performed a Bach prelude backward on the instrument. Song-Ming’s latest work can be seen at the President’s Young Talents, an exhibition at the Singapore Art Museum from August 21, 2015 through March 27, 2016.

What makes Singapore: My family and friends here

Favorite hangouts: Haw Par Villa, a theme park with countless statues and dioramas from Chinese folklore and mythology

What you wish to see in Singapore: A democratic society based on justice and equality

Click here to watch the first episode of Art World, A New Wave of Iraqi Cinema.

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