Explore Singapore’s secondary forests through Robert Zhao Renhui’s immersive exhibition, making its homecoming debut at SAM after its acclaimed Venice showcase.
SINGAPORE, 15 January to 18 May 2025 – The Singapore Art Museum (SAM) welcomes the much-anticipated homecoming of Seeing Forest, an exhibition by renowned interdisciplinary artist Robert Zhao Renhui. Hosted at SAM’s Tanjong Pagar Distripark, this captivating exhibition unveils the hidden stories and rich biodiversity of Singapore’s secondary forests—lands reborn from human-altered environments.
First presented at the Singapore Pavilion during the 60th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia (Biennale Arte 2024), Seeing Forest transforms SAM’s Level 3, Gallery 3, into an immersive woodland experience. Featuring videos and sculptural installations, the exhibition reveals the fascinating ecosystems within Singapore’s regrown forests.
Visitors are invited to journey through scenes that evoke the lives of these overlooked spaces. From sambar deer that escaped captivity in the 1970s to wild boars giving birth near urban apartments, Zhao’s work challenges viewers to consider the resilience and adaptability of nature in the face of urban development.
“Seeing Forest encourages us to reconsider what we know about Singapore’s landscape and discover its wilder, untamed side,” said a SAM spokesperson. “The exhibition highlights the intersection of human activity and natural regrowth, inviting reflection on our connection with these radically free environments.”
Admission is free for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents, with complimentary entry for all visitors during the opening week, from 17–26 January 2025.
Location:
Singapore Art Museum at Tanjong Pagar Distripark, Level 3, Gallery 3
39 Keppel Road, Tanjong Pagar Distripark, Singapore 089065
For details, visit the SAM website: Singapore Art Museum.
