Festival Directors’ Message

FOREWORD

Welcome to Light to Night Singapore 2025 . In a world where the lines between the digital and physical are increasingly blurred, this year’s theme, “Do You See Me?” invites us to explore the nuances of identity, recognition and presence.

In the age of rapid technological advancement, the question of visibility is more relevant than ever, prompting us to consider how being seen—or unseen—shapes our identities, relationships and communities.

Throughout the festival, you will encounter works that provoke thought, stir emotion, and most importantly, encourage dialogue. All of this challenges us to reflect on the ways we perceive others and how we, in turn, are seen.

Join us in exploring the exhibitions, installations, light projections and programmes presented by National Gallery Singapore, Asian Civilisations Museum, The Arts House, Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall, Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay and Funan throughout the duration of the festival.

As our cityscape transforms into a canvas of light and thought, we hope you will take the time to connect, not only with art, but also with the people around you. It is through seeing and being seen that we find understanding and empathy, qualities that are essential to the fabric of our society.

I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to the team at National Gallery Singapore for their passionate and dedicated support of Light to Night Singapore. In particular, special thanks goes to the outstanding festival programmers, project manager and coordinators, including Dee Chia, Vygesh Mohan, Mohd Fazrullah, Nurulhuda Hamadi, Koh Huiting, Rachel Oh and Zacharie Kasman.

We hope you enjoy yourselves at the festival!

As we celebrate SG60 and the Gallery’s 10th anniversary, this theme of this year’s festival, “Do You See Me?”, invites us to reflect on the often invisible labour of the artists who shape our cultural landscape. This theme honours their vision, bringing forward diverse narratives that challenge our perceptions of identity, space and place.

The artworks featured this year beckon us to delve deeper and challenge us to see beyond the obvious. Han Sai Por’s Travelling Through the Tropical Rainforest focuses on the unnoticed beauty of nature amidst urbanisation, while Song Nian’s Blades, Shrapnel sheds light on the unseen forces shaping our culture and society. Beverley Ng’s Return to Paradise poignantly encapsulates the complex relationship between Singapore’s past and its contemporary identity, serving as a visual trigger for viewers to reflect on their own connection to Singapore’s evolving cultural heritage.

The late Chng Seok Tin’s journey of resilience continues to inspire, transcending human determination, and Jaafar Latiff’s pioneering work in batik and early computer art redefines the relationship between tradition and modernity. We are grateful to the Indonesian collective Arafura for bringing the works of these two late artists to life through our Gallery Façade Projections.

We are also excited to present Art Labor’s Angin Cloud, which explores the unpredictable relationship between nature and industrialisation, and Scarce City by Rainshadow Studios, a participatory installation that will spark critical conversations on climate change and sustainability. Song-Ming Ang’s reflections on everyday issues and Sufian Hamri’s Now You See Me—which traces the evolution of Singapore’s graffiti art—further enrich this dialogue. Meanwhile, Kapilan Naidu’s kālacakra invites audiences to contribute their stories to a shared tapestry of Singapore’s past, present and future.

I am profoundly inspired by 88-year-old Cultural Medallion recipient Goh Beng Kwan. His spirit of experimentation, appreciation for others and unwavering humility are truly remarkable. Collaborating with Arafura to bring his story to life by transforming his 2D paintings into 3D animations for the Gallery façade was an unforgettable experience. Witnessing his journey and artistic evolution was both a privilege and a lasting memory, and we invite audiences to really take a good look at his work and appreciate the depth of his journey and creative spirit.

Through these diverse and powerful works, “Do You See Me?” invites you to see, be seen and celebrate the multifaceted narratives that define our shared identity. We hope this festival inspires a collective vision for a more inclusive and humane future through the transformative power of art.

See you at Light to Night Singapore 2025!