Chihiro Kabata: On Art, Process, and Sake

Chihiro Kabata: On Art, Process, and Sake

Date and Time: Thursday, 28 August 2025, 6-8 PM

Venue: INSTINC Space, 39 Keppel Rd, #03-10 Tanjong Pagar Distripark, Singapore 089065

Go behind the canvas and share a drink with Chihiro Kabata. Surrounded by intricate works of her exhibition, The Weight of a Line, join us for a relaxed evening featuring a special selection of sakes drawn from the artist's personal collection.

This is a rare opportunity to hear the stories that connect the bottle to the artwork. Guided by the artist herself (with a translator Jane M. Shishido), discover which sake reminds her of home, which one shares a philosophy of patient craftsmanship, and how taste and aroma can inspire a visual artist.

Forget a formal tasting; this is a in-depth conversation about process, inspiration, and the simple pleasure of a good drink.

An intimate evening of art and conversation.

*General Admission tickets will include a tasting selection of sake, light snacks and a complimentary sake cup.

**The event will only proceed with a minimum of 8 attendees. Capacity is limited to 20.

About Artist

Chihiro Kabata

Chihiro Kabata is a Japanese artist whose drawings and sculptures accumulate delicate ink lines into powerful visions. Chihiro Kabata's medium of choice — ballpoint pen on paper – is deceptively humble, making the final result all the more unanticipated. Her works bring together the visual idioms of old Japan and the metaphysics of contemporary art.

She is a practicing visual artist originally from Tokyo, Japan. She received her MFA from Musashino Art University. Now, Associate Professor, Wako University.

Chihiro Kabata has had numerous solo and group exhibitions internationally. Venues have included the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, The Ueno Royal Museum, Fuchu Art Museum, Echigo-Tsumari Art Field, Institute of Contemporary Arts Singapore ( ICAS ), gallery alpha M ( Musashino Art University ), Zibo museum, Pyeongtack museum, Nam-seoul university gallery, Art Front Gallery at Tokyo, kashya Hildebrand at Switzerland, INSTINC at Singapore, and others. She was noticed in The College Art Association 101ST ANNUAL CONFERENCE NEW YORK( CAA).

About Exhibition

The Weight of a Line | 線の重み

Running from August 21 to August 31, 2025, the exhibition features a series of intricate, large-scale works created entirely with ballpoint pens. The show marks a significant milestone in the artist's decade-long collaboration with INSTINC Space, the Singapore-based gallery.

"The Weight of a Line" delves into the profound physicality and conceptual density behind Kabata's unique artistic process. Using a common ballpoint pen, she meticulously applies thousands of individual strokes that coalesce into shimmering, deep fields of ink resembling cosmic phenomena or topographical maps. The title refers not to a physical heaviness, but to the accumulated weight of time, labor, and focused intention embedded in each piece. The works are a testament to the gravity of a creative act that transforms a simple tool into a conduit for monumental expression.

About Translator

Jane M. Shishido

Jane M. Shishido is an art advisor and writer residing in Singapore. She is originally from Honolulu, Hawaii and is a Japanese-American. She chose to live in the Lion City because of the diversity of people and outstanding transport options in particular the subway system.

Her work for more than 15 years in the Southeast Asia region is contextulizing and introducing contemporary art, trends or lifestyle analysis from Japan and Singapore. The bulk of projects are with creative directors, visual produces and businesses, but she gets a personal sense of satisfcation in helping the mainstream general public discover the arts.

About INSTINC Space

Founded in 2004 by artist Yeo Shih Yun, INSTINC is a leading artist-run institution based in Singapore. With a distinguished presence in the arts ecosystem, INSTINC diligently sustains the growth of contemporary art through exhibitions, residency programs and curations. Their esteemed Artist-in-Residence program has cultivated invaluable regional and international networks since 2009. INSTINC is celebrated for producing immersive, large-scale exhibitions that encompass installation, new media, performance, painting and sculpture, showcasing the diverse range of artistic expressions.

Notable collaborations include partnerships with renowned brands such as Volvo and Guinness, further demonstrating INSTINC's commitment to fostering cross-disciplinary exchanges. Moreover, INSTINC takes immense pride in organising the highly anticipated INSTINC D:Art Festival 2022, generously supported by UOB Bank and the NAC start fund.

INSTINC continues to foster creative individuals and collective practitioners by establishing a platform for cross-disciplinary exchanges with their relocation in Tanjong Pagar Distripark. With expertise in exhibition curation, commissioned works and brand alliances, INSTINC endeavours as a vital presence in the cultivation of contemporary art.