Yesterday was a relaxing Sunday for me. I usually visit places with an exciting vibe or locations that encourage me to walk briskly, so it felt like a different experience when I decided to go to the Singapore Art Museum (SAM). It is located in Tanjong Pagar Distripark, on the far side of Tanjong Pagar, near the Keppel Terminal.
On a rainy Sunday afternoon, this area feels like a ghost town because it’s primarily a work district, with no commercial establishments around. This makes it quite surprising that a museum like SAM is situated here. However, I believe there’s a good reason behind this choice, and I hope to elaborate on that later in my post.
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It was already drizzling when I arrived, and just 15 minutes later, heavy rain began to pour. How lucky was that? I could have been drenched if I had arrived any later—I’m truly grateful for the timing.
The museum was easy to find since it’s less than a 10-minute walk from the bus stop, and clear signs are pointing the way.
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Along the way, I spotted beautiful artworks that seemed to invite my attention and naturally guide me toward the museum. I think this is a clever way to help visitors like me find the place effortlessly.
Upon arrival, I was informed to collect my free admission sticker, which was a nice touch. Instead of simply entering the galleries, there was a process where the staff oriented me about the galleries and their locations. Afterward, I was given a sticker to place on my chest, indicating to the ushers in each gallery that I had been properly oriented and admitted.
Learning Gallery
My first stop was Gallery 2, also known as the Learning Gallery. While some galleries were unavailable at the moment, I was informed that four galleries were open, which wasn’t too bad.
Let me walk you through the artwork...
In this gallery, random sounds like "shhh," throat clearing, and hissing played intermittently, which heightened my anxiety a little. They explained that it’s all part of the experience. 😄
There’s a café that showcases and sells both coffee and books. It has to be one of the most unique coffee experiences I’ve ever had and is truly a paradise for coffee and book lovers alike.
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The Engine Room
From here, I decided to visit another gallery called The Engine Room. This gallery features colorful, childlike artwork that evokes feelings of happiness, friendship, family, and a sense of home.
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After spending time admiring the pieces that caught my attention, I decided to move on to the other galleries. The next ones were titled "Lost & Found: Embodied Archive" and "Everyday Practices."
Gallery 3 - Lost & Found: Embodied Archive
In this gallery, most of the displays focus on themes related to the human body.
Some random pieces...
Everyday Practices
Prisoner in a jail...
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The artist utilizes a motorbike's wheels to create a street art...
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A survivor of the Khmer Rouge regime dragged this giant ball on a 250-kilometer journey to depict the forced labor practices during the regime.
It took him 6-days to complete the journey.
A long stretch of paper filled with dried petals & fingerprints.
A lady wearing every clothes that could fit here at once...
An artwork created at the back of surgical mask packaging.
Any idea what it’s made of? These are strands of hair formed into a floral pattern and pasted onto large pieces of glass, which are arranged in multiple layers stacked on top of each other.
And then a collection of drawings that depicts everyday practices...
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And that concludes my tour of the Learning Gallery, Embodied Archive, and Everyday Practices.
Overall, my visit to the Singapore Art Museum was a refreshing and thought-provoking experience. The diverse range of exhibits sparked curiosity and offered a unique perspective on art and culture. I’m grateful for the opportunity to explore such a creative space, and I look forward to returning for more inspiration in the future.
