STPI Annual Friends Fundraiser 2020; artist Khairullah Rahim on the relationships between objects, communities and locations
The support of a community of like-minded friends can help one get through challenging times.
For STPI – Creative Workshop & Gallery, it can count on its friends and patrons so as to continue invigorating Singapore’s contemporary art scene. In October, the art institution sought to cultivate these close relationships at its Annual Friends Fundraiser, aptly titled Biome.
Along with an online auction of artworks donated by artists and galleries from the region, the fundraiser also featured an Encounters segment held at STPI, safe distancing measures permitted. Art enthusiasts were led through a series of creative encounters with 10 Singaporean artists, including Yanyun Chen, whose two-part installation
Life is Elsewhere was derived from thoughts during pandemic isolation, while
untitled, non-precious things
by Khairullah Rahim explored the politics of appearance and demeanour of objects.
But perhaps the most cathartic experience was Ruben Pang’s Sternum,
where the spirit of spontaneity was encouraged through splashes of sonic colours—left in the hands of guests. Over $200,000 was raised from the event to help STPI embrace this period of change and ready itself for the road ahead.