The artistic talents at the Singapore Biennale 2016 form the heart of ART REPUBLIK issue 12. Indonesia artist Titarubi, whose work graces the cover, signifies this focus. “This haunting part of history needs to be faced and solved,” says Titarubi. The history he is referring to is everything from the spice wars to the Dutch East India Company’s ruthlessly arrogant colonial activities in Asia.

The artist’s installation for the Singapore Biennale, titled ‘History Repeats Itself’, showcases three hooded figures like that on ART REPUBLIK’s cover, with the lead representing a 16th century female admiral in the navy of the Aceh Sultanate, who watched over merchant shipping routes in the Malacca Strait – “a brazen look at the history of our region,” says Marc Wong, Managing Editor of ART REPUBLIK.

Following the theme ‘An Atlas of Mirrors: From where we are, how do we picture the world – and ourselves’, ART REPUBLIK partners up with this anticipated edition of the Singapore Biennale, which looks to reset the artistic atmosphere in Singapore and the region. The art calendar picks up again as ART REPUBLIK is also a main partner of Art Taipei 2016 and Affordable Art Fair Singapore’s autumn edition, where we be present at our respective booths at both fairs.

On another note, ART REPUBLIK is once again proud to be a main partner of Art Stage Singapore 2017, Southeast Asia’s international flagship art fair and the anchor event of the Singapore Art Week, held from 12 to 15 January 2017 (Vernissage, 11 January) at the Marina Bay Sands Exhibition and Convention Centre. “It is such an honour to be working closely with Art Stage in promoting arts in Singapore and the region, as well as achieving a common goal of showcasing the importance of creativity and an arts sector in a society’s growth,” says Marc Wong, Managing Editor of ART REPUBLIK, “For Art Stage Singapore 2017, we will be present even bigger and better than before, so mark out the fair’s dates on your calendar now.”

Other highlights this issue include dance pioneer Kuik Swee Boon, founder of The Human Expression Dance Company in Singapore, who bares his heart and soul on the dance floor; Japanese artist Shinro Ohtake creates pulp fiction at Singapore Tyler Print Institute; we follow the adventure trail of Eddy Susanto whose latest adventure lands at the Singapore Biennale 2016; Singapore filmmaker K Rajagopal will never forget his first ‘Yellow Bird’; believe it or not, life doesn’t always come with happy endings, even here in Asia, with Natee Utarit; waking up early on Saturdays for the nostalgia-inducing, happy cartoon subversions of Jerkface; Swedish contemporary artist Thomas Broomé lends Hermès his pencil to write out their world.

 Mr. Olivier Burlot, CEO & Publisher at Heart Media, comments: “The team at ART REPUBLIK remains resolute in our mission to promote the rapidly developing art scene around Asia. Issue 12 of ART REPUBLIK continues to demonstrate just that, featuring the largest number of art galleries in a single issue to date. In the coming months, readers can expect to be able to look to ART REPUBLIK for the latest highlights from all the major fairs in the region, including ART TAIPEI, and the spring edition of the Affordable Art Fair in Singapore.”

ART REPUBLIK is an official media partner of ART STAGE, AFFORDABLE ART FAIR, MILAN IMAGE ART & DESIGN FAIR, SINGAPORE ART FAIR, SHANGHAI BUND CLASSIC and ART TAIPEI.