Roots & Resonance

“To us, art collecting is not merely a personal pursuit—it is a form of cultural stewardship. By supporting both the artists of today and the legacies of yesterday, we hope to play a small part in preserving and celebrating Singapore’s vibrant artistic heritage.”

Mr. Stephen Teo

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In conjunction with Singapore Gallery Month and SG60 celebrations, artcommune is pleased to present this special showcase featuring around 25 works drawn from the private collection of Singaporean art patron, Stephen Teo. What began in 2014 as a personal collection of Singapore artists’ works has since evolved into a family-led commitment and broader philanthropic mission—to champion Singapore’s cultural legacy by supporting local artistic talents, especially living artists, through acquisition, visibility, and engagement. Guided by this vision, Stephen Teo hopes to inspire his children to embrace a lifelong dedication to cultural philanthropy and stewardship, while encouraging others to play a vital role in fostering artistic legacies that might otherwise be lost to time.

Roots & Resonance features a curated selection of works by Singapore artists Lim Tze Peng, Tay Bak Koi, Koeh Sia Yong, Ong Kim Seng, Melissa Meng, Kevin Tan, Tung Yue Nang, and Zhu Hong. The display spans oil, watercolour, acrylic, ink, and woodcut, and traces Singapore’s evolving landscape and cultural identity from the 1980s to the present. Through scenes both familiar and forgotten, these works invite viewers to reflect on how place becomes memory, how progress reshapes identity, and how everyday life is etched into the textures of a nation in transformation.