Synopsis:

Step into Brandon Tay: Sangkalan, an evolving installation of a fictional island ecosystem where fragments of a "lost" coastal culture are shaped through three species — a fruit, an insect, and a bird. Together, their rhythms of growth, flight and song weave a vivid picture of how humans and nature might share perception, memory, and meaning.

Travelling across four regional libraries in Woodlands, Tampines, Jurong and Punggol, the installation unfolds as a living archive that evolves with each presentation. Visitors can encounter new elements over time, making each stop a slightly different experience. Through vibrant textiles, sculptural forms, and archival materials, Singaporean artist Brandon Tay translates the island's collective memories into a language of colour, geometry, and symbols. Echoing the decentralised logic of blockchain networks, Sangkalan invites visitors to reimagine information systems, their origins and how nature might inspire new ways of sensing, connecting, and remembering.

Brandon Tay: Sangkalan is held in collaboration with the National Library Board. Through the Library showcases, SAM continues to extend contemporary art beyond traditional museum settings and into civic and community spaces, encouraging encounters with contemporary art in unexpected and accessible everyday environments.

Venues:
15 April – 31 May 2026: Woodlands Regional Library
3 June – 19 July 2026: Tampines Regional Library
22 July – 6 September 2026: Jurong Regional Library
9 September – 25 October 2026: Punggol Regional Library