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Gillman Barracks celebrates 5th anniversary, plans for more public art spaces

SINGAPORE – Visitorship to the arts enclave at Gillman Barracks doubled in the last year and plans are underway to create more space for public art as it celebrates its milestone fifth anniversary this Friday (Sep 22).

Arts enclave Gillman Barracks celebrates its fifth anniversary this weekend. Photo: Gillman Barracks

Arts enclave Gillman Barracks celebrates its fifth anniversary this weekend. Photo: Gillman Barracks

SINGAPORE – Visitorship to the arts enclave at Gillman Barracks doubled in the last year and plans are underway to create more space for public art as it celebrates its milestone fifth anniversary this Friday (Sep 22).

Attendance at the visual arts cluster’s open house events held quarterly increased about 50 per cent from around 2,800 in 2016 to over 4,200 this year.

This was due in part to the cluster’s ramped up arts programming along with food and beverage and lifestyle offerings. For example, among the popular exhibitions was the public art showcase Lock Route, which was curated by Khairuddin Hori of Chan + Hori Contemporary and featured outdoor site specific installations, sculptures and murals.

Speaking to TODAY at a media preview of Gillman Barracks’ anniversary celebrations, the National Arts Council’s assistant chief executive for sector development Low Eng Teong revealed that there are plans for more public art showcases at the enclave.

“Public art is definitely more accessible. For people who are new to art, public art is always the first step to engage them. Once they are more curious and interested, they will venture into the galleries,” he said.

Moving forward, Low revealed, that there are plans to activate outdoor spaces beyond the “finite” gallery and indoor spaces. For example, some ideas being explored include a temporary pavilion to display art.

“In the long term, the question is how do we continue to evolve and adapt so that we can stay relevant for people who are new to art, art enthusiasts, art collectors, (such that) they will want to come back to Gillman,” Low said.

Set in a former military barracks and surrounded by lush tropical greenery, Gillman Barracks is a visual arts cluster launched in 2012 and jointly developed by Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), NAC and the Jurong Town Corporation (JTC).

While Gillman Barracks has “come a long way”, Low said, it has yet to realise its full potential.

“It’s for all of us at Gillman, all the government agencies, and most of all, the tenants in Gillman to continue to work together to offer what we think is of interest to everyone.”

He added: “We are also very clear the core of Gillman is art, and that must remain the core.”

For its fifth anniversary celebrations this weekend, visitors to Gillman Barracks can look forward to delicate craftworks and designs at the second edition of Supermama’s Porcelain and Craft Festival, as well as a exhibitions by The Ryan Foundation featuring an interactive art installation by New York-based artist Ryder Ripps and Re|Collecting Asia: Selections from Singapore Private Collections at Block 9.

Visitors can also check out Makers’ Market featuring a wide variety of artisanal lifestyle, design and F&B offerings at Carpark B.

 

For more information on Gillman Barracks, please visit gillmanbarracks.com

 

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