STATE of the ART

As our local art scene grows, it is the people and spaces prioritising community and inclusivity that prove most invaluable. Three independent collectives shaping the future of art in Singapore share what it means to truly embrace the community and spark change.

Dblspce

On the second floor of Peninsula Shopping Centre, tucked amid camera shops and vintage clothing stores, lies a curious bare space. There is a sense of rawness to the unit, filled with natural light from its large, red-framed windows—the patina of its floor tiles a reflection of the old strata mall it sits within. Some days, it is filled with installations large enough to cover the whole room. On others, fascinating objects beckon passers-by to step in and explore.

This is Dblspce, an incubator dedicated to artistic practice. Run by co-founders Sab Koh and Kimberly Shen—the former the associate dean of the School of Fine Art at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, the latter a curator and educator—its approach is twopronged, with an artist residency and a mentorship programme.

“We came across this beautiful yet rugged space, and it reminded us of the skinny houses in Amsterdam. We had the simple dream of starting a studio and inviting practitioners from different fields to come together. Hopefully, something creative might happen, certain gaps may close and new friendships can form. Some people view this as a passion project, but I think it is deeper than that,” shares Koh.

“During the pandemic, we were forced to rethink the ways we make art. We could no longer be driven by the notion of efficiency and of constantly producing works,” adds Shen. “Launching Dblspce during that time was an opportunity to reflect on that. We see Dblspce as a place for mediating the thinking and the making, and for artists to take a step back and reflect on the nuances and the ethos of their practice.”