Text by Woon Tienwei:

Synopsis:

“Have you made a move to rent that shop at Tanglin shopping centre? If you are serious about taking up that shop at Tanglin. I will do a pop-up show there. Let’s talk sooon.” Chai messaged on a Wednesday in late April.

Things look “good” for the artworld since the “Renaissance” of Singapore. We got swanky galleries and museums - art fairs for a good run until the stage collapsed. Some argued it has gotten “worst”.

Following the community dialogues about the closure of art spaces, it is always good to have an art space, big or small, long-term or ad-hoc. It does something and contributes to the scene. The artworld is not perfect without some of the odd and stubborn ones sticking out and arting back in its own swagger.

“Not yet,” I texted back, feeling a bit ashamed at my lack of urgency in developing the project space since we last spoke and added the following. “Yes. Pop-up show.”

“Me, you and Jennifer. A small show. And Cec if she is agreeable. I haven’t asked her yet,” Chai replied. “Has to be soon. Before we fly.”

So we discussed over a farm adventure, dinner, coffee and sprinkles of Whatsapp messages. No space yet. Still ding dong with Agent (property, not provocateur).

I texted Mr Lim from MrLim’sShopOfVisualTreasures and asked if he would host this. “Yeah, sure! When?” He texted back.

We are still texting. The show is happening at MrLim’sShopOfVisualTreasures. It will be on for a week from this Saturday (21 - 28 May 2022). There will be works from Chai & Cec, Jennifer Teo and myself.