Six Years Of Good Art

SAY WHAT YOU WILL about Gillman Barracks as a business, it's still the best place in Singapore to see cutting-edge art. As it celebrates its sixth anniversary, detractors may still harp on the problems it's faced over the years - low footfall; losing five galleries in its third year; belatedly recognising the need for a diverse retail mix, covered walkways and signages; and so on.

But for many art lovers, Gillman Barracks has been nothing short of a boon. Year after year, it offers strong shows by the best artists in Asia and beyond. Names such as Charles Lim, Zai Kuning, Ruben Pang, indieguerillas, Entang Wiharso, Kamin Lertchaiprasert, Hiromi Tango, Hiroshi Senju and Yang Fudong now roll off the tongues of those who frequently visit the art cluster.

Teething problems, including some of those mentioned above, have been fixed. Navigating Gillman is much easier now than it was three years ago. And, yes, having Creamier ice-cream parlour right smack in the heart of the colonial-era barracks sweetens the deal.