Yesterday, we got a two-in-one media preview for Shilpa Gupta’s rooftop commission at the National Gallery Singapore and the Gallery Wellness Festival.
It was a sweltering morning when we checked out Gupta’s installation, which took the surprising form of an inflatable. Depicting two bodies balancing on a single head, it’s meant to evoke attempts at keeping one’s balance in complicated situations as well as the idea of the divided, internal self. We found it particularly poignant and meaningful, especially as many of us struggle with balancing roles and identities in today’s complex world.
What we enjoyed was walking around and admiring it from different angles, and seeing how it fits in with the rest of Singapore’s skyline. Interestingly enough, you can even go up and run your hands along the surface or sit beneath an arm to bask in the shade—perfect for those of us who yearn to be close to art.
Running from 17 June – 9 July 2023, the Gallery Wellness Festival will encourage visitors to explore art as a form of self-care; one that can bring us closer to ourselves and the people around us. This sense of mindfulness carries through the Festival’s programmes, which invite visitors to focus on one of our five senses. Some of the programmes include a self-guided art walk to train our sense of seeing; an aroma workshop by Scentopia Singapore to build a sense of art appreciation through scent; and music therapy sessions by the Association for Music Therapy (Singapore) that encourage us to consider the effect music can have on our mind and bodies.
Have a look at our photos below to see what went down at the media preview!
