[Keynote Panel] A Language of Our Own

Date: Thu, 27 Mar

Time: 11.45AM–12.45PM

Venue: Level 1, The Engine Room

Free, by registration

Register here

What languages do we use to discuss contemporary art across communities?

In this Keynote panel, join SAM’s partners Koh Hui Ling from Drama Box, Rico Chan from Beyond Vision International and Yew Hau En, Deaf interpreter on their practices and use of language or methodologies to connect with the communities they work closely with. Discover how language and methodologies enhance collaborations with communities and enable new encounters with contemporary art.

Speaker Bios

• Koh Hui Ling, Co-Artistic Director, Drama Box
Koh Hui Ling is Co-Artistic Director of Drama Box. As a theatre practitioner she finds meaning in the process of community engagement and the participation of non-artists in art-making, evident in her works such as IgnorLAND of its Time, IgnorLAND of its Loss and Chinatown Crossings.

Her desire to create alternative avenues for public dialogue led to the development of GoLi – The Moving Theatre, Singapore's first inflatable theatre that transforms spaces into vibrant places for arts and culture.

Hui Ling laid the foundation for Drama Box's work in youth engagement, and had developed a set of Drama-in-Education and Theatre-in-Education programmes for youths, teachers and adult-learners. Today, her focus is in community based practices.

Recognised for her contribution to community, youth and culture, Hui Ling was given in 2013 the Young Artist Award by the National Arts Council of Singapore, and the Singapore Youth Award by the National Youth Council, and in 2015, Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World Award (Singapore) by the Junior Chamber International.

Hui Ling completed her Masters of Arts in Applied Drama (Distinction) from the University of Exeter (UK), with her research on sustainability of community based theatre companies.

• Dr Rico Chan, Founder & CEO, Beyond Vision International (BVI)
Dr. Rico Chan is a passionate social designer and educator who explores the dynamic relationships between people, technology, and the visual environment. Rico is also the founder and CEO of Beyond Vision International (BVI), a charitable organization (NGO) dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for the visually impaired by focusing on education, social inclusiveness, accessibility, and employment opportunities. In 2023, Rico was one of only 10 Hong Kong designers selected to represent Hong Kong at the "Dutch Design Week 2023" in the Netherlands. In 2013, Rico was the sole representative from Asia to be named an International Access Fellow of Art Beyond Sight in New York, further solidifying his status as a trailblazer in the field of inclusive design and accessibility.

• Yew Hau En, Deaf Interpreter
Yew Hau En is a Deaf Interpreter and an Singapore Sign Language (SgSL) instructor with over 10 years of expertise in teaching SgSL. Currently, she works as a Senior Executive, Communication Support. With her proficiency in sign language and her deep knowledge of Deaf culture and the Deaf community, she is committed to promoting access, inclusion, and awareness.

She is also pursuing a master’s study programme in sign language interpreting.

Passionate about SgSL and Deaf advocacy, Hau En strives to strengthen the recognition of SgSL and empower the Deaf community. She believes in the importance of linguistic and cultural preservation, working towards greater accessibility, visibility, and opportunities for the Deaf community.

To her, her deafness has been the key to unlocking and opening the vista into the Deaf world—its uniqueness, culture, and the language of those who exhibit beauty through expressions and senses intensified by the absence of hearing.

Her fascination with the Deaf world continues, and she is eager to contribute to and be part of the talent and burgeoning activity within Deaf communities, both locally and internationally.

[Talk] Ways of Seeing – The Art of Deconstruction

Date: Fri, 28 Mar

Time: 10AM–11AM

Venue: Level 1, The Engine Room

Free, by registration

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Tune into a discussion between Dr Rico Chan, Beyond Vision International, and audio describer Seren Chen as they share about the process of developing meaningful tactile and audio guides for the visually impaired community.

Moderated by Cecilia Chow, Senior Manager, Programmes, SAM Access Team

Speaker Bios

• Dr Rico Chan, Founder & CEO, Beyond Vision International (BVI)
Dr. Rico Chan is a passionate social designer and educator who explores the dynamic relationships between people, technology, and the visual environment. Rico is also the founder and CEO of Beyond Vision International (BVI), a charitable organization (NGO) dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for the visually impaired by focusing on education, social inclusiveness, accessibility, and employment opportunities. In 2023, Rico was one of only 10 Hong Kong designers selected to represent Hong Kong at the "Dutch Design Week 2023" in the Netherlands. In 2013, Rico was the sole representative from Asia to be named an International Access Fellow of Art Beyond Sight in New York, further solidifying his status as a trailblazer in the field of inclusive design and accessibility.

[WORKSHOP] At your Fingertips

Date: Fri, 28 Mar

Time: 11.30AM–12.30PM

Venue: Level 1, The Engine Room

Free, by registration

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As a partner of Singapore Art Museum, Beyond Vision International (BVI) is committed to making Nguan’s "Singapore" series accessible to visually impaired individuals. To enhance inclusion and engagement, BVI has designed a multisensory art creation workshop, inviting both sighted and visually impaired participants to experience and interpret Nguan’s artwork through touch.

This unique session explores how tactile senses can bring a new dimension to art appreciation, fostering a deeper connection and understanding beyond sight. Have you ever experienced an artwork through touch? Join us and discover how art can be felt as well as seen!

[Talk] Signs of communication – An Open Dialogue

Date: Sat, 29 Mar

Time: 10AM–11AM

Venue: Level 1, The Engine Room

Free, by registration

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In this dialogue session, participants can anticipate an exchange between curators and the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing community to uncover what it means for contemporary art and Singapore Sign Language to intersect.

Engage in conversation about the Singapore Sign Language glossary of art terms related to contemporary art and learn about some new signs co-created with the community.

Facilitated by Maria Tang, Assistant Manager, Programmes, SAM Access Team

[Kids-friendly Workshop] Singapore Colours

Date: Sat, 29 Mar

Time: 10AM–11AM

Venue: Meet at Level 1, Ticketing Reception

Free, by registration

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In this workshop, participants will explore artist Nguan’s photographic series 'Singapore', 2012 from the SAM Collection, featured in the Learning Gallery.

Children from the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community are welcome to join in with their Hearing friends as a space to interact, explore the use of colours by Nguan, and chat and explore creating their own images of Singapore.

The workshop will begin at L1, then continue to L3 for the activity. After the workshop, parents can pick up their children at L1, near the ticketing counter.

[Family-friendly workshop] Exploring ‘just a tiny part of you is all i need’ with Ezzam Rahman (with SgSL interpretation)

Date: Sat, 29 Mar

Time: 11.30AM–12.30M

Venue: Level 1, Engine Room

Free, by registration

Register here

What kinds of materials can we encounter in contemporary art? What were the artist's motivations behind creating this artwork?

Meet the artist Ezzam Rahman and explore his Touch Collection artwork just a tiny part of you is all i need.

This workshop is crafted for families with Deaf and Hard of Hearing family members to deepen their relationship through discussions about artwork and artmaking. SgSL interpretation will be provided.

[PERFORMANCE] SAM Art Dose - Performing Normal: The Usual Party

Date: Sat, 29 Mar

Time: 3PM–5.30PM

Venue: Level 1, The Engine Room

Free, by registration

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Collaborating Artists: Alecia Neo, Claire Teo, Germaine Goh, Jaspreet Kaur Sekhon, Zhuo Zihao, Chong Li-Chuan

What’s the vibe? Is there a dress code? Who else is invited? “The Usual Party” is a participatory performance that highlights how environments and systems can simultaneously include and exclude different individuals. It addresses the ways in which personal needs for safety and belonging can both clash and be met. Through mingling, party games, and an eclectic musical excursion led by two first-time party hosts, participants are invited to reflect on what it means to truly listen to and see one another beyond stereotypes and preconceived notions.

Performed by Germaine Goh and Jaspreet Kaur Sekhon, two neurodivergent artists, and conceptualized by a collective of interdisciplinary artists, this work draws from their lived experiences of disability. It explores the tension between self-reliance and community, confronting societal notions of normalcy and inclusion. As the performance unfolds, the party becomes a potential space for connection, vulnerability, and the courage to embrace authenticity.

Love music? Pick a song you'd enjoy listening to at our party! Your choice will be featured in our show: tinyurl.com/TheUsualPartymusic

Performing Normal: The Usual Party is a culmination showcase of the ART:DIS Emerging Artist Residency Programme in partnership with Temasek Foundation and supported under the Dance Nucleus’ ARTEFACT Creation Residency from January to March 2025.

This programme is an extension of a series of performance workshops presented at the Singapore Art Museum. Performing Normal is part of Care Index, an ongoing artistic research project that seeks to understand care through movement, dialogue and collaborative practices.