Artist Suzann Victor, who made eggplant work at NGS, has new solo at Gajah Gallery
Three circular 'kinetic lanterns', suspended and rotating on their axes, look as if they are still bubble-wrapped. But step closer, and it becomes apparent this is a more sturdy and intentional protective layer: Circular lenses of various sizes obscure and distort an assortment of South-east Asian faces, peeking out from scenes of volcanic eruption and a collage of urban scapes.
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Business Times
06-08-2025
- Business Times
Inside Singapore Gallery Month: Private tours, studio visits and art perks
[SINGAPORE] Singapore Gallery Month (SGM) returns on Aug 15 with scale, sophistication and a dash of insider glamour. Now in its fifth edition, the annual celebration stretches until Sep 14, and brings together over 30 art galleries showcasing 120 artists – up from 99 last year. But this edition marks a critical shift: For the first time, SGM is fully community-led, curated by the Art Galleries Association Singapore (AGAS) and its member galleries, making it a love letter to the city's art ecosystem – by galleries, for galleries. AGAS president Audrey Yeo said: 'We're celebrating what we can achieve when we come together – not just as gallerists, but as storytellers, connectors and advocates for the regional art community.' Suzann Victor's gorgeous installations at Gajah Gallery probe the theme of colonialism in Singapore. PHOTO: GAJAH GALLERY Marking Singapore's 60th year of independence, several shows take a reflective tone. At STPI, four Cultural Medallion recipients – Han Sai Por, Goh Beng Kwan, Ong Kim Seng and the late Chua Ek Kay – offer tactile works in print and paper. At Gajah Gallery, Suzann Victor refracts Singapore's colonial memory with luminous installations. For something grittier and younger, Haridas Contemporary brings together emerging and mid-career artists like Melissa Tan, Esmond Loh and Jeremy Sharma in a dynamic group show. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up But perhaps the most intriguing is JW Projects' The Other Singaporeans, a provocative display featuring naturalised citizens, expats and former Singaporeans pushing against the boundaries of belonging and national identity. Esmond Loh's painting, Between Spaces (2024) at Haridas Contemporary. PHOTO: HARIDAS CONTEMPORARY Golden ticket However, the biggest attraction this year may be the newly upgraded Patron's Pass. For a cool S$1,000, it grants its holder artist studio visits, private previews, guided walkthroughs and intimate home tours with some of Singapore's most discerning collectors. The artists involved include Wei Leng Tay, Yen Phang, Yanyun Chen, Tiffany Loy, Mike HJ Chang, Dylan Chan, Marion Abraham and Emi Avora. The home tours are conducted in spaces ranging from a 1930s Peranakan terrace house in East Coast and a black-and-white bungalow in Bukit Timah to a Bugis loft-turned-art sanctuary. Pass holders also get S$500 in gallery credits to purchase artworks priced S$1,000 and above, an invitation to the swish SGM launch party on Aug 15 at Prestige Gallery, as well as VIP access to future events like the Affordable Art Fair (November 2025) and ART SG Vernissage (January 2026). Desmond Mah's Still Living Rent-Free (2025) is part of JW Projects' exhibition on identity and belonging in Singapore. PHOTO: JW PROJECTS Also on the menu: A sake-and-art pairing tour at Gillman Barracks, brunches with Cultural Medallion winners Han and Goh, a complimentary luxury facial from Cle de Peau Beaute, and a masterclass on art law and succession planning – because real collectors know it is not just about acquiring, it is also about protecting and passing it on. For more information, visit
Straits Times
06-08-2025
- Straits Times
Artist Suzann Victor, who made eggplant work at NGS, has new solo at Gajah Gallery
SINGAPORE – One might be forgiven when stepping into Gajah Gallery in Tanjong Pagar Distripark for thinking that the exhibition is not quite ready. Three circular 'kinetic lanterns', suspended and rotating on their axes, look as if they are still bubble-wrapped. But step closer, and it becomes apparent this is a more sturdy and intentional protective layer: Circular lenses of various sizes obscure and distort an assortment of South-east Asian faces, peeking out from scenes of volcanic eruption and a collage of urban scapes.
Straits Times
30-07-2025
- Straits Times
Malaysia boleh: The country's first female K-pop idol is leading new girl group Kiiras
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Lingling of Kiiras is billed as the first female K-pop idol from Malaysia. SINGAPORE – South-east Asians have been making their mark in K-pop girl groups of late, like those from Thailand (Blackpink's Lisa, I-dle's Minnie, Babymonster's Pharita and Chiquita, Kiss of Life's Natty), the Philippines ( Katseye's Sophia , Unis' Elisia and Gehlee) and Indonesia (Hearts2Hearts' Carmen, Secret Number's Dita). Now, Malaysia also has a female K-pop idol to call its own. Lingling, whose real name is Wong Ling Ling , is the leader and oldest member of new South Korean girl group Kiiras . The 20-year-old, who is the sextet's main rapper and sub-vocalist, is billed as the first female K-pop idol from Malaysia. Together with South Koreans Harin, Kylie, Doyeon and Roah, as well as Kurumi from Japan, Kiiras debuted on May 29 with the American country music -influenced pop and hip-hop single Kill Ma Bo$. Lingling is proud to fly her country's flag in an increasingly diversified K-pop scene. During an interview at the Mandala Club on July 29 to promote Kiiras' debut, she said: 'Being a K-pop idol has always been my dream, and my Malaysian fans have been so supportive. I feel very happy. But because I am the first, I want to do more, so others can see their potential too, and can also become K-pop idols.' Yet, there is some pressure. 'Being a leader is not easy. Sometimes it is stressful, when the other members don't listen to me. But this motivates me to do better.' Her bandmates, however, were quick to lavish praise on Lingling. The six girls are based in Seoul, where they live together in a dormitory. Youngest member Roah, 13, said: 'She is kind, charismatic, cute and pretty. An all-rounder.' Lingling's former roomate Harin, 17, added: 'She leads the team practices and is always on time. When we shared a room, I was never late.' And Kurumi, 19, who is the second-eldest, chimed in: 'She is the only one older than me, so I consider her my older sister.' South Korean girl group Kiiras, consisting of (clockwise, from top left) Doyeon, Kylie, Harin, Kurumi, Roah, Lingling and Harin (centre), at the Mandala Club on July 29. PHOTO: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS Kiiras is set to perform in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 1, their first live show outside of South Korea. They will take the stage during music event The Music Journey 2 Roadshow at the University of Wollongong Malaysia. Lingling is thrilled about her homecoming. 'I have always wanted to perform in Malaysia,' she said. 'And my family will watch the show too.' Her parents own a business in Malaysia and she has a younger sister, a 19-year-old university student. The other Kiiras members have not visited Malaysia before, and are excited to tuck into dishes such as bak kut teh and nasi goreng. South Korean girl group Kiiras will be making their first live performance outside South Korea in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 1. PHOTO: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS If time permits, Lingling might even show them around, with one possible attraction being the Batu Caves, which will be 'very hot', but would make a wonderful backdrop for their TikTok videos. Born in the city of Klang in the state of Selangor, she attended Hin Hua High School and idolised K-pop girl group Twice for their 'bright and high-energy' performances. 'I want to be just like them.' At age 17, Lingling participated in South Korean entertainment company YG Entertainment's global audition in Malaysia. She made the cut and became a trainee. Four months later, she moved to another agency, WakeOne, and participated in the K-pop reality survival show I-Land 2 (2024), which concluded with the creation of the girl group Izna. Lingling was born in the city of Klang in the state of Selangor, and attended Hin Hua High School there. PHOTO: KIIRAS OFFICIAL/FACEBOOK As the show's only South-east Asian contestant, Lingling could speak multiple languages – Mandarin, Malay, English and Korean – but was eliminated in the seventh episode. She then signed with South Korean entertainment agency LeanBranding , and was announced as the first member of Kiiras in April. Reflecting on her ouster from I-Land 2, she said: 'It is a blessing in disguise, because it led me to Kiiras. And I feel that this group suits me more, because we have a younger vibe. It is fate .'
