Tanoto Art Foundation Opens in Singapore

- The foundation was established by Belinda and Anderson Tanoto, the children of Indonesian billionaire Sukanto Tanoto, whose family has been involved in philanthropy since 1981. The Tanoto Art Foundation is one of the first private art foundations in Singapore dedicated to bridging contemporary art between Southeast Asia, South America, and other global hubs. - The inaugural exhibition, titled "Rituals of Perception," is curated by the foundation's Artistic Director, Xiaoyu Weng, and is part of the 2026 Singapore Art Week. The show runs from January 21 to March 1, 2026, and features a collection of new commissions, loans, and works from the Tanoto Family Collection. - The exhibition features over 20 contemporary artists, including Anicka Yi, Suki Seokyeong Kang, and Yin Xiuzhen. It also includes a new performance piece by artist Sriwhana Spong, which premiered at the opening reception. - The theme of the exhibition centers on slow, contemplative, and iterative processes as a form of "quiet act of resistance against an increasingly dehumanized sense of time." - The venue, New Bahru School Hall, is part of a larger trend in Singapore of repurposing heritage sites for cultural use. Other examples include the Singapore Art Museum, housed in the former St. Joseph's Institution, and the National Gallery Singapore, located in the former Supreme Court and City Hall buildings. - The connection between such art events and fashion is well-established, with luxury brands frequently citing contemporary art as inspiration. Notable examples include Roksanda's A/W 2025 collection inspired by sculptor Phyllida Barlow and Gucci's SS18 campaign, which commissioned artist Ignasi Monreal to create digital works inspired by historical paintings.