The Venice Biennale is one of the oldest and most important exhibitions of contemporary art in the world. This year, Singapore is represented by artist and former Olympic sailor Charles Lim, with the presentation of his critically acclaimed SEA STATE project. SEA STATE is an interdisciplinary installation that examines Singapore’s relationship with the sea through filmic, photographic and archival material.

The Singapore Pavilion will be officially opened on 6 May by Mr Sam Tan, Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth, in a newly-restored space in the Sale d’Armi building at the historic Arsenale.

SEA STATE 1: inside\outside (2005), detail of c-print, part 1 of 110 photographs, left is looking inward and right is looking outward
SEA STATE 1: inside\outside (2005), detail of c-print, part 1 of 110 photographs, left is looking inward and right is looking outward

The pavilion is curated by Shabbir Hussain Mustafa of the National Gallery Singapore and commissioned by the National Arts Council, Singapore.

PHASE 1 teaser from Charles Lim Yi Yong on Vimeo.

View SEA STATE at the Singapore Pavilion from 9 May to 22 November 2015.

The 56th International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale runs from 9 May to 22 Nov 2015. SEA STATE will return to Singapore for a showing in 2016.