PROJECTS
& CURATION
Various
period
200-2025
The Artists Caravan (AC) is a Singapore-based independent arts collective passionately committed to community engagement and the transformative power of art. Since 2008, we have been pioneering nomadic, site-specific, and multidisciplinary creative projects that explore the intersections of the 'self,' 'other,' and 'environment.' These themes are deeply interrogated through dialogic conversations and meaningful collaborations with diverse stakeholders, reflecting our belief in art as a bridge for connection and understanding.
Guided by a philosophy of collaboration and dialogue, AC activates both physical and conceptual spaces to spark creative exchanges between artists, communities, and interdisciplinary collaborators. Our projects—ranging from art residencies and interactive exhibitions to creative workshops and publications—transform art into an inclusive and participatory process. By empowering communities to co-create and reflect on critical issues, AC reimagines art as a catalyst for thought experiments, inspiring innovative solutions and fostering new possibilities for collective growth and transformation. Notable projects such as Regeneration: Ways of Being (2022), Waypost: XOXO (2021), Genetic Landscape Exhibition (2020), and Manicured Nature (2011) exemplify our dedication to nurturing connections and igniting curiosity.
As a predominantly independent and community-driven collective, we rely on your support to sustain and grow our practice. Whether through donations, collaborative partnerships, or art project consultations, your contribution helps us continue activating spaces, empowering communities, and exploring new frontiers in art. If you would like to support our endeavours, collaborate with us, or learn more about our work, we warmly invite you to connect with us.
Together, we can create meaningful impact through the power of art.
Link to Artists Caravan website
*All proceeds for Genetic Landscape Zines go into funding future Artists Caravn's project.
Upcoming - Launch in April 2025
Genetic Landscape III: Metamorphosis
Art & Design Speculative Fiction- Atas Zine
Published: 2025
Dimension: 297mm x 210mm
Extent: 100 pages
Finish: Paperback
Published by: Artists Caravan
Genetic Landscape III: Metamorphosis draws its title from two profound concepts—that of metamorphosis and cartography. These concepts inspire us to explore the dynamic interplay between morphing and mapping lifeworlds in constant flux,—where human and non-human forces converge to create new possibilities for coexistence. Taking ideas from process philosophy (see Alfred North Whitehead’s and Tim Ingold’s work) as a point of departure, the entries in Genetic Landscape III embody an ontology of becoming that privileges fluid, emergent realities and interconnectivities. The premise is that we are not isolated beings navigating a static world, but agents in a relational web where life continually unfolds. At the heart of morphing and mapping lifeworlds is the notion of wayfinding—a practice of moving through everyday life that reveals itself through action and engagement.
Ten artists/creatives were invited to consider themselves as cartographers of trans-temporal worlding vis-à-vis a literary prompt:
“As a cartographer, I am an interpreter of the expansive canvas of our world. I navigate the realms of space and time, literally and metaphorically. I turn the mundane into a multi-sensorial symphony. Each brush stroke leaves an indelible mark on the pages of my exploratory voyage, uncovering hidden stories and transforming them into a tapestry of maps. In my hands, maps are not just navigational tools; they can become portals to (self-)discovery, guiding both the intrepid traveller and the imaginative dreamer through an intricate maze of our now and there/ever-after.”
Trans-temporal worlding gestures at the possibility of transcending linear time by enfolding multiple temporal dimensions (i.e. the past, present and future). In this view, time does not always flow sequentially or chronologically. Artists/creatives were encouraged to reflect on and document their navigation/negotiation of these spatio-temporalities, and in so doing, continuously reshape what has been, what is, and what could be. Accordingly, entries in the zine examined personal (re)growths/(re)births, healing, collective rituals, and the symbiosis of humanity and nature. These entries have become touchpoints for tracing the contours of our collective existence.
Our ten participating artists/creatives are Jacquelyn Soo, Joey Soh, Koh Kai Ting and Isabelle Lim (collaboration), Ong Xiao Yun, Sharmeen/Sifar, Siew Guang Hong, Tan Qian Hui, T. Shuxia, and Yen Phang. Their entries run the gamut from illustrated comics, photography, mixed media essays, sculptures, and printmaking to digital paintings.
Some of these artworks are also interactive, with embedded soundscapes.
Why do we keep making? And how do our processes/practices support regeneration?
In our second zine, we present Regeneration – Ways of Being art exhibition participating artists working processes, thoughts and sketches. These artists are Cynthia Foong, Mahyuddin Chan or Din Chan, Syamil Dasuki, Ong Si Hui, Shayne Phua, Yang Jie, Joey.SPL and Ong Xiao Yun. Timonthy Soh and Pamela Ng with their writings reflected and interpreted on the art show theme.
We have also invited established artists/sculptors to response to the same question with their quote. In the zine, you will find quotes by Yeo Chee Kiong, Chiew Sien Kuan, Lim Soo Ngee, Victor Tan Wee Tar, Sai (aka Chen Sai Hua Kuan) and Dr Wong Ruo Bing.
How do artists and their practices support regenerative or restorative possibilities towards people, the environment, and the things of everyday life? Regeneration refers to environmental consciousness. It is also about how we become concerned and engaged with the world. The durability of the art object and the toil of the artists. The artist liberates earthy materials from the position of rapid consumption to one of durability, stability and reflection. Could it move towards a far-sighted approach to world-connectedness?
If one could, while intimately acquainted with your world, express the idea of regeneration into works of art and the processes involved, how would it turn out? Regeneration: Ways of Being, an exhibition of mostly new sculptural artworks were created from the inception of that inquiry. Organised by Artists Caravan, Regeneration: Ways of Being will be held at AC43 Gallery from 17 – 28 June 2022.
Eight local artists – Symail Dasuki, Yang Jie, Cynthia Foong, Din Chan, Shayne Phua, Ong Xiao Yun, Ong Si Hui and Joey.Spl, present how they weave intimate blueprints of their world, into their regenerative meditations. They endeavour to add to the durability of artworks. Repurposing, regenerating, and ultimately pushing various artefacts through the process of rebirth to become a new work of art.
What is interesting about this exhibition is how a divergent group ranging across generations and cultural backgrounds develop converging pathways when it comes to developing a relationship with their materials.
One asks, why do artists keep making and remaking their art? Producing perfection from imperfections is, after all, the highest of art forms. Yet, the endeavour to continue working on it, too, is an intangible form of art.
Take a glimpse into the chain of events that culminate in the artists’ perceptions. To see events that shape their blueprint of their world. Some forms of art like electronic arts (NFTs being one) are, by their nature, intangible and ephemeral. A sculpture, on the other hand, is physicality moulded into tangible existence through a craftsperson’s hands. A lifetime of mastery of material and approach. Much like the butterfly effect. The process is never seen but it is locked into the works.
Exhibition dates: 17 June to 22 June 2022
Location: AC43 Gallery, 76 Bras Basah Road #01-01 Singapore 189558
Genetic Landscape is an independent, full-coloured zine publication organized, edited and publish by Artists Caravan (AC), featuring 4 members from AC and 9 collaborators from our very own arts village. We chose the zine as an environment for this initiative primarily for the roots and spirit that zines embody.
Our collaborators were invited to explore and curate the zine environment the way they would with a physical exhibition space. Genetic Landscape #01’s theme engaged our collaborators to explore and exchange ideas – to propose solutions to rethink, reinvent and recover the social and cultural aspect of land and bodies.
The zine’s cover is a collaborative Artwork (using the exquisite corpse game method) as a collage of all participating artists in this zine. In the table of contents, you will find individual artists and their art works. There is also a link (Page 106) to an archive of video recordings of artists’ dialogues where the artists elaborate on their concepts, working processes and inspirations. Hence, we invite you to explore the art works presented, play around with those interactive art works and watched the archive of artists’ dialogues to experience this zine in its fullest output. An exhibition of new developed works expanding from GL issue #01 will also be put up in August 2020.
Collaborators:
Ahdini, Ju-lyn, and Liza are 3 young artists and recent alumni of Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, each with very exciting practice and development. Ju-lyn is already publishing her own regular zine titled NOTION. Ahdini is currently taking the role of script-writing for short films and Liza is a co-founder of the cross-culture / country collective @thedungbeeproject. Shuxia has participated in a series of AC projects. Kai and Timothy both work with photography. Sharmeen/Sifar is a multi-disciplinary artist and works on social urgency issues. Jennifer is a co-founder of Post-Museum. Mei Hsien, Joey.spl, Yinghan and Xiao Yun are from Artists Caravan. And we are honoured to have independent researcher and writer, Yeo Wei Wei to word the forward for us.