2024 INSTINC20 Exhibition Proposals Open Call

About INSTINC20:

Initially established with the vision to catalyse the exchange of ideas and express a passion for art, INSTINC has gradually evolved from an independent studio to an artist-run space which embraces artist-focused vision, sparking the art scene in Singapore.

Throughout the years, INSTINC has stood as a testament to the significance of contemporary art in fostering connections among collectives and forging cross-cultural ties. Up to this day, it continues to inspire local and international artists with motivating collaborations and captivating exhibitions. The year 2024 will mark a profound milestone as INSTINC celebrates its 20th anniversary, reaffirming its commitment to the art community and underscoring its determination to sustain creative independence within an ecosystem dominated by commercial art galleries.

In 2024, INSTINC will be proudly announcing INSTINC20 in celebration of its past achievements. We would like to invite all artists and creatives to partake in this magnificent moment through this open call. The winning exhibition proposals will be brought to life in the INSTINC gallery during the carnival of INSTINC20.

Who can Apply:

We welcome Singapore-based creatives from diverse backgrounds and practices, who produce experimental works that provoke innovation in artistic approaches. We encourage artists to embrace unconventional thinking, explore novel concepts, and challenge traditional artistic norms. Emphasising collaboration in line with INSTINC’s core value, we suggest artists work together, believing it will inspire creatively unexpected juxtapositions. We value artist collectives in recognition of the collaborative spirit that fuels groundbreaking artistic endeavours.

Proposal Requirements:

No specific theme is required, as we treasure the various possibilities lying in every individual. There is no restriction regarding the medium and style of artworks exhibited.

The proposal should be envisioning how the artworks can be most sufficiently presented in the gallery, and how the exhibition can promote the essence of connections to the community. What we expect in your proposal is a demonstration of the consistent proactiveness in exploring innovative approaches through experiments, which enriches the existing ecosystem of contemporary art.

Assessment Criteria: 

• Innovativeness: Demonstrate evidence of rigorous experimentation in realising unconventional thoughts through art.
• Collaborativeness: Emphasise the spirit of teamwork, mutual respect, and effective communication. Display the willingness and ability to engage in cooperative efforts and exchange ideas among individuals / groups.
• Communication: Illustrate clarity and depth. Synthesis of diverse intentions, contexts and arguments appropriate.

The proposal should include an exhibition concept rationale, an exhibition layout (floor plan), and list of featuring artworks. If the works are not created yet, please include as many sketches and references as possible. If there are any additional materials, please specify them accordingly. The submitted document should only be in PDF form. Upon submission, please also provide CVs of all artists and curators.

Details of the gallery space are as following: Space: 7.5 m (length) x 6 m (width) x 5.5 m (height)

Result:

All applications will be meticulously reviewed. From these applications, we will select two exhibition proposals as the winners, who will be granted the opportunity to host individual exhibitions in our brand new gallery space located at Tanjong Pagar Distripark, in close proximity to the Singapore Art Museum. The selected artists will have the privilege of showcasing their work for a duration of two weeks. If awarded with the exhibitions, the artists / artist collectives are required to give an artist’s talk within the duration of the exhibition.

Please note that INSTINC will only be providing the gallery space + gallery-sitting for the winning proponents. Any other related collaterals (e.g. publications, art materials) will have to be at own expenses.

Results will be announced on 7 December 2023. Winners will be notified via email to schedule further discussions. The exact dates of the selected two exhibitions will need to be discussed and worked within INSTINC’s programming after the pronouncement.

Judges:

Wang Ruobing 王若冰 is an artist, educator, independent curator and co-founder of Comma Space (逗号空间), an artist-run experimental platform that ‘creates thinking spaces between commas’. She worked as a curator at the National Gallery Singapore prior to LASALLE. Committed to exploring new ways of seeing and methods of knowledge production, Dr Wang’s artistic practice spans drawing, photography, sculpture, kinetic art and installation. With a diverse range of methodological approaches to present her ideas, her body of work addresses environmental issues and transcultural discourses on identity and hybridity.

Yeo Shih Yun has been the Founder and Director of INSTINC since 2004. With a strong determination to cultivate invaluable regional and international networks, INSTINC has forged cross-disciplinary exchanges through curations and exhibitions. The artist has led a significant number of exhibitions, encompassing installations, new media, performances, paintings, and sculptures.

How to Apply:

Any artist interested in getting involved in INSTINC20 is required to submit this form.

Funding:

Should the proponents require fundings, please refer to the National Arts Council website for more details.

Deadline:

15 November 2023, 5:00 p.m. (Wednesday)

Contact:

For any additional inquiries, please contact enquiries@instinc.com