We interview Robert Zhao, a Singaporean artist who shares with us his approach towards photography, appeasing critics and favourite local food
This Singapore Art Week season, Robert Zhao is a name in the local art scene that you’ll definitely have to get acquainted with. A homegrown visual artist who mainly works with photography, he has been involved in major arts events, both local and international, like the Singapore Biennale 2013, Moscow International Biennale of Young Art 2014 and more. Recently nominated for ‘Best Emerging Artist Using Photography’ at the prestigious Prudential Eye Awards, Zhao catches up with us as we learn more about this uber talented artist.
More about yourself in three short, sweet sentences
I like animals. I like plants. I like to visit zoos. (While I don’t necessarily support the notion of zoos, I like to go there just to see how humans watch animals.)
Your work, ‘The series Singapore 1925-2025’ in three adjectives
Like all photographs – Real, Fictional, Memory.
What you don’t want people to interpret from your work
Actually, people can take away whatever they want from my work; it’s ok!
Your reaction on getting nominated at the Prudential Eye Awards 2016
It’s great to be nominated for your work; any form of support is useful for me. I’m thankful for Audrey Yeo from Yeo’s Workshop who nominated me for the award. I’ve been working on this series of work for seven years now; so it’s great that more people can see the work at the Art Science Museum during this time.
The top three people, dead or alive, you would show your work to
I think the ideal audience in my mind does not exist in real life. I might really just be creating work for an imaginary friend! Nonetheless, it’d still be great to showcase my work to two scientists – Yong Ding Li, a good friend who often provides advice on my work, and Martin Hauser, another scientist friend who is a world authority on flies.
Quick-Fire Round
Music for inspiration?
My playlist is a mix of Mayday, Matthias Goerne, Eleanor Friedberger and Beethoven. I usually play one song on loop for a week.
Favourite local food?
Gao Ji Yong Tau Fu, Old Airport Road Hawker Centre
National Gallery – yay or nay?
Haven’t had a chance to go…
Dream vacay destination?
Christmas Island
One phrase or quote you live by?
There are more things to life than art.
In 2016, I would like to…
Look at nature slowly. Maybe watch a caterpillar pupate.
Catch Robert Zhao’s ‘The series Singapore 1925-2025’ at the Prudential Eye Awards Exhibition at ArtScience Museum, running from January 16 – 27 March, 2016. This exhibition showcases 39 works from 15 shortlisted artists from all around the region and beyond, for the Prudential Eye Awards 2016 in five categories: Digital/Video, Installation, Painting, Sculpture and Photography. What’s more? The awards ceremony is now open to the public – for free! Happening on January 19 at the MasterCard Theatres – Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands, don’t miss this opportunity to see who walks away with the prestigious award of Asia’s ‘Best Emerging Artist’.