Synopsis:

S.E.A. Focus 2022 announces a solid line-up of galleries, artists and progressive thought leaders to encounter, as Southeast Asia's contemporary art platform returns for its fourth edition from 15 January to 23 January 2022.

Built around the theme chance...constellations — an exploration of the shared histories, geographies and converging cultures that connect the artistic community in this region — the anchor event of Singapore Art Week 2022 is located at Tanjong Pagar Distripark. Here, 24 galleries will showcase over 140 artworks in a carefully curated exhibition. Alongside this is a stimulating programme of engaging and insightful talks by industry leaders offering thoughtful perspectives and vision into the future of Southeast Asian contemporary art.

FRESH PERSPECTIVES
As a pioneering platform, S.E.A. Focus 2022 will host leading galleries from Singapore, the region and beyond. These include:
– Indonesia: ROH Projects
– Malaysia: A Works of Art, Richard Koh Fine Art and Wei-Ling Gallery
– Philippines: Artinformal, Silverlens, The Drawing Room and Tropical Futures Institute
– Singapore: Art Porters, FOST Gallery, Gajah Gallery, Mizuma Gallery, Ota Fine Arts, -Sullivan Strumpf, STPI, The Columns Gallery, Yavuz Gallery and Yeo Workshop
– Thailand: Bangkok CityCity Gallery and Nova Contemporary
– Vietnam: CUC Gallery

Other participating galleries who have strong connections to Southeast Asian artists and the region include neugerriemschneider (Germany), Gallery Side 2 (Japan) and Edouard Malingue Gallery (Hong Kong).

For more information on participating galleries, please refer to the S.E.A. Focus 2022 website.

ARTISTS TO WATCH
Since its inception, S.E.A. Focus has been the leading platform to discover new works from established and emerging artists in the region.

S.E.A. Focus 2022 will feature more than 50 artists for the upcoming edition, both established as well as emerging practitioners. Artists that will be presented include Arin Dwihartanto Sunaryo (Indonesia/ROH Gallery), Nadiah Bamadhaj (Malaysia/A Works of Art), Mit Jai Inn (Thailand/Silverlens), Sawangwongse Yawnghwe (Myanmar/Canada/Nova Contemporary), Zai Kuning (Singapore/Ota Fine Arts), Citra Sasmita (Indonesia/Yeo Workshop), Tammy Nguyen (Philippines/Tropical Futures Institute), Nicholas Ong (Singapore/Yavuz Gallery) and Zelin Seah (Singapore/Richard Koh Fine Art).

ART BEYOND FOUR WALLS
Always ahead of the curve, S.E.A. Focus prides itself on partnerships with like-minded collaborators.

Coming on board for the first time as Official Fringe Partner, Projector X, a pop-up screening room at Riverside Point in Clarke Quay, hosts a selection of more than 20 compelling artist-made short films, animations and video works from participating artists including Robert Zhao Renhui (Singapore/Mizuma Gallery), Khvay Samnang (Cambodia/Nova Contemporary), Tromarama (Indonesia/Edouard Malingue), Dinh Q Le (Vietnam/STPI) and FX Harsono (Indonesia/Sullivan Strumpf)

Artsy, the largest global online marketplace for art returns as Official Online Partner to host the online edition of S.E.A. Focus 2022. Transcending physical boundaries, this extended online edition on Artsy allows visitors from anywhere in the world to virtually experience S.E.A. Focus 2022, broadening the international reach and prominence of participating art galleries. Collectors can discover artists and contact exhibitors, save favourite works, view works on their home walls using the Augmented Reality tool on the Artsy mobile apps, and directly purchase work from galleries at the click of a button.

SEAspotlight TALKS: PIVOT TO THE FUTURE
A key highlight for S.E.A. Focus, SEAspotlight Talks is a specially curated series of panel discussions presented by Official Media Partner ArtAsiaPacific (AAP) featuring insights on the latest artistic developments from and around Southeast Asia by artists, art professionals and art aficionados.

This year, the theme of SEAspotlight Talks is "Pivot to the Future", an exploration of the brave new contemporary art world, post pandemic, where the rules of engagement with art are being rewritten and new audiences are increasingly turning to virtual avenues for work, play and life.

"With every edition, S.E.A. Focus strives to evolve and innovate while seeking out new talents and fresh perspectives," says Emi Eu, project director of S.E.A. Focus and executive director of STPI. "The inclusion of new programming that takes us into the realms of digital art, film and more is not only exciting, but also shows how S.E.A. Focus continues to be the region's pioneering contemporary art platform."

S.E.A. Focus 2022 runs from 15 January to 23 January 2022. Tickets ($10) go on sale on 8 December at www.seafocus.sg. Each ticket is valid for multiple entry.