Opening Reception, 60/60: Singapore in Focus

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

Opening Reception | 7 Nov 2025, 6PM - 9PM

Public Viewing | 8 Nov - 6 Dec 2025, Wednesday - Friday ,1PM - 7PM. Saturday - Sunday, 1PM - 6PM

Artist Talks

8 Nov 2025, 3-530PM

22 Nov 2025, 3-530PM

29 Nov 2025, 3-530PM

"60/60: Singapore in Focus" is a special, non-commercial, community-driven exhibition celebrating Singapore’s 60th birthday. Showcasing the creativity of 60 Singapore-based artists, the project is both a tribute and a gift to the nation. Organized by INSTINC, an artist-run space, this exhibition embodies a labor of love — a heartfelt offering from the art community to Singapore.

60/60: Singapore in Focus marks a significant milestone in the history of INSTINC. Conceived not merely to commemorate Singapore’s 60th year of independence, the exhibition brings together a diverse range of artistic practices within a shared space, reflecting the institution’s commitment to dialogue, experimentation, and community in contemporary art. The gallery itself is transformed into a structured grid of squares, where each individual artwork occupies a distinct frame while contributing to the collective visual narrative.

The conceptual roots of the exhibition trace back to 2011 with ‘Squares Invasion: the 50cm × 50cm Painting Competition’, an initiative that challenged artists to explore the possibilities within the constraints of a uniform square format. That early experiment demonstrated the imaginative potential that can flourish within disciplined boundaries. Fourteen years later, 60/60 expands this idea on a larger scale: the square functions not just as a formal frame, but as a metaphor for shared ground, uniting sixty unique artistic voices while allowing each to shine independently.

The curatorial process for 60/60 involved careful dialogue, programming, and selection. The exhibition balances continuity with renewal, combining long-standing collaborators with emerging artists to reflect both history and the evolving trajectory of contemporary art in Singapore. Works from an open call were reviewed alongside invited artists, and the expertise of guest judge Boo Sze Yang ensured both rigor and breadth in the final selection. The resulting collection presents a constellation of individual practices that collectively form a rich, diverse portrait of Singapore’s artistic landscape.

Located within Tanjong Pagar Distripark, Singapore’s premier arts hub, the exhibition situates independent, artist-run initiatives within the broader cultural ecosystem. By fostering engagement between national institutions, private galleries, and independent platforms, 60/60 underscores the importance of multiple scales of creative exchange. The exhibition celebrates Singapore’s past, while simultaneously pointing toward the future — nurturing emerging practices, fostering connections across generations, and presenting a vibrant, evolving vision of the nation’s contemporary art.

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.