The Gillman Barracks cluster of art galleries opens today, marking another step in Singapore's long-running effort to become a cultural hub. "We hope this will become a truly iconic international arts destination," said Eugene Tan, program director at Singapore's Economic Development Board, which has sponsored and overseen its development.
A cluster of international galleries, all with ties to Asia, have set up in the site of the former British military barracks. They include Takashi Murakami's Kaikai Kiki Gallery, Mizuma Gallery, Ota Fine Arts and Tomio Koyama Gallery from Japan, along with Shanghai's ShangArt and Pearl Lam Galleries, and the Drawing Room from Manila. They will all be hoping to ride the Southeast Asian economic wave, looking to attract buyers from Indonesia, the region's largest economy, and Singapore. According to the Boston Consulting Group, Singapore is now home to the highest proportion of millionaire households in the world.
Eventually the barracks will house a centre for contemporary art, which will be one of the key programming platforms at the new art destination, along with an international artists residency program and a centre for contemporary art research.
Image: Gillman Barracks, Singapore
