Islanded: Contemporary Art from New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan

23 February – 14 May 2006

Ho Tzu Nyen, Utama – Every Name in History is I 2003

Stella Brennan
Regan Gentry
Amanda Heng
Ho Tzu Nyen
Richard Killeen
Charles Lim
Ani O’Neill
Tan Kai Syng
Tsai Kuang Yu
Wu Mali
Yao Jui Chang

Islanded: Contemporary Art from New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan featured work by contemporary artists from three islands in the Asia-Pacific region: New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan.

Co-curated by Adam Art Gallery Director, Sophie McIntyre, Artistic Co-Director of the Substation, Lee Weng Choy and Director of The Institute of Contemporary Arts Singapore, Eugene Tan, the exhibition critically reflected on the histories and the geo-cultural anxieties of these postcolonial societies, to explore how “island-ness” and being ‘on the edge’ plays a role in these countries’ imaginings and (re)inventions of themselves.

While reflecting upon the differences and uniqueness of New Zealand , Singapore and Taiwan as islands, this exhibition also revealed certain shared concerns and anxieties. The artists’ works explore a range of issues relating to history, collective memory, migration, mapping and the construction of national identity.

 

A substantial catalogue was produced in conjunction with the exhibition Islanded: Contemporary Art from New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan. Published by the Adam Art Gallery, it includes essays by the exhibition curators Sophie McIntyre, Lee Weng Choy and Eugene Tan. Available for purchase here