Shubigi Rao and Ute Meta Bauer to represent Singapore at the 59th Venice Biennale

The National Arts Council, Singapore (NAC) announced today the appointment of artist Shubigi Rao and curator Ute Meta Bauer as the artistic team for the Singapore Pavilion at the 59th International Venice Biennale.

Shubigi Rao and Ute Meta Bauer were selected by a Commissioning Panel convened by NAC which comprised leaders in the local arts community.

Ahmad Mashadi, Co-Chair of the Commissioning Panel and Head of NUS Museum spoke of the recommendation, “The Commissioning Panel is convinced by the proposal presented by the artistic team which has a universal appeal and ability to connect with diverse cultural contexts. Both Rao and Bauer have exceptional records of practice one can describe to be global, but critically grounded to Singapore. We are confident that their efforts for the Biennale Arte can serve as a valuable reference to successive generations of artists and curators in Singapore.”

Commenting on selection, Rosa Daniel, Co-Chair and Chief Executive Officer of NAC stated, “This is an exciting milestone for Singapore’s multicultural visual and literary arts scene. The pandemic has reminded us how art is essential to our wellbeing, and news of the resumption of international biennales such as the Venice Biennale has been enthusiastically received by the arts community. Singapore’s participation in the Biennale Arte underscores NAC’s commitment to presenting Singapore arts internationally, and we look forward to celebrating the work of Singapore’s best with the rest of the contemporary art world.”