Amanda Heng

Amanda Heng is a renowned Singaporean artist known for her interdisciplinary approach to art.

Biography of Amanda Heng

Amanda Heng, born in 1951 in Singapore, has been a full-time art practitioner since the late 1980s. Heng played a significant role in founding two artist initiatives in Singapore: The Artists’ Village in 1988 and WITA (Women In the Arts) in 1999.

Throughout her career, she has been actively involved in conceptualizing, curating, organizing, and participating in exhibitions, public art commissions, and public discourse. Some notable forums she has participated in include Women And Their Arts, The 1st Asian Film Appreciation Workshop, Women About Women, Memories of Sense, and Conditions of Production.

Heng's works have been collected by the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, The Singapore Art Museum, and various private collectors. In recognition of her contributions to the arts, she received the prestigious Cultural Medallion Award in 2010.

Amanda Heng's Art Style

Amanda Heng adopts an interdisciplinary approach to her art practice, exploring the clash of Eastern and Western values, traditions, and gender roles within the context of a multicultural and rapidly changing Singaporean society. Recently, she has expanded her focus to identity politics, addressing issues of history, memory, communication, and human relationships in urban settings. Heng often collaborates with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and fields, leading to a closer examination of the roles of the audience and collaboration practices.

Heng's explorations with the STPI Workshop have led to multidisciplinary productions that encompass both performance and visual elements. Through the lens of twelve individuals, this exhibition invited viewers to reimagine the personal narratives embedded within cherished belongings. In collaboration with participants, Heng used these heirlooms as catalysts for a journey of shared memory. Inspired by her performance piece "Let's Chat" (1999), where the simple act of preparing beansprouts fostered community and conversation, Heng embarked on a process of exploration and storytelling.