Amidst big industry names and million-dollar artworks that often make headlines, it's often the rising stars that offer fresh perspectives, capturing audiences with their bold and intriguing narratives. Through a variety of artistic mediums, some choose to address social issues concerning race, culture and gender, while others turn inward and shed light on personal narratives close to them.
Be it eclectic paintings or unconventional sculptures, these local creatives channel a sense of unwavering authenticity through their uniquely Singaporean perspectives. Their works are often multifaceted yet focused, deeply personal yet relatable. Below, we spotlight five local artists to have on your radar.
Having been in the art industry for over six years, Claudia Koh's name certainly rings a bell. Ever since her local debut titled Where the Flowers Bloom at Cuturi Gallery, the 25-year-old artist has been on a roll. She has an ongoing show in Milan, and a New York group exhibition slated to take place in May 2024. Known for her distinctive self-portraits and eclectic interpretations of the female body, her artworks weave an intricate narrative of her own feminine identity, cultural heritage and naturalistic elements. Surrealist in nature, Koh's prominently feature both conspicuous and subtle symbolisms that are open to interpretation. Koh's love for fashion has also trickled into her art. Take her Margiela series for example, which presents a whimsical interplay of emblematic Margiela motifs combined with her signature style.
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A graduate of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), Israfil Ridhwan is a Singaporean artist who previously showed at Art SG and the 2023 Little Red Dot exhibition in London. Inspired by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo and a slew of Renaissance-era painters, vibrant colours, neo-latin cultural influences and bold outlines underline his works. Beyond a spellbinding medley of colours, however, lie intimate narratives that offer a radical glimpse into the struggle of reconciliation and acceptance of one's multifaceted identity. Often featuring masculine subjects in a vulnerable light, Ridhwan's artworks touch on sensitive topics such as gender and ethnicity, alongside emotional themes of love and grief.
Awarded the UOB Most Promising Artist of the Year in 2019, Casey Tan has since gone on to show at Cuturi Gallery, Paris Asia Now and Art SG. His works are characterised by familiar local imagery—think HDB common areas and local pastimes—and an almost uncanny take on the Singaporean way of life. Intricately layered with themes of isolation, contemplation and grief, Tan unravels this complicated relationship between cultural identity and mental health, further amplified by his signature melancholic hues of blues and greens. In Never get old, Tiger gets cold, audiences are instantly transported to a nostalgic era where old-school playgrounds are still around. Meanwhile, the wistful subject of Nap Fairies evokes a heartfelt longing for introspection.
A creative that channels the spirit of artistic collaboration, Hilary Yeo is a multidisciplinary artist and sculptor who experiments with an eclectic array of mediums. In 2019, she co-founded the art collective, PURE EVER, whose collaborative works explore both the digital and physical realms. Since its inception, their works have been featured in both local and overseas group shows such as Singapore Art Week 2022, TUTORIAL at BSMNT Gallery in Leipzig and SWAB Art Fair Barcelona. Eliminating the boundaries of sexuality, gender, race and other limiting constructs, Yeo's transcendental works also include abstract sculptures featuring naturalistic elements and whimsical themes of love and folklore.
Known for her vibrant urban landscape paintings, Shen Jia Qi explores the complex relationship between public spaces and those who reside in them. She's previously shown at local exhibitions staged at Cuturi Gallery, The Arts House and National Gallery Singapore, and internationally in Beijing and London. Using Singapore as a microcosm to examine themes of urban living, hyper-industrialisation and the notion of safe spaces, Jia Qi's work offers a refreshing insight into her subjects— which mainly comprise historical enclaves and everyday public spaces. Dressed in exceptionally vibrant hues, paintings of iconic sites like Beauty World Plaza exude timeless nostalgia, while the facade of a Far East Plaza lift is given an electrifying neon update. Against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving landscape, Jia Qi expertly weaves the subconscious longing for safe respites with the unrelenting passage of time.
