Robert Zhao Renhui to Represent Singapore at Venice Biennale
Zhao, whose practice investigates the human zoological gaze, will be joined by Korean curator Haeju Kim.
Artist Robert Zhao Renhui with curator Haeju Kim, 2023. Courtesy the artist.
The Singapore Art Museum (SAM) recently named artist Robert Zhao Renhui and curator Haeju Kim as Singapore's artistic team for the next Venice Biennale, which opens on 20 April 2024.
'The strength and trajectory of Robert Zhao's artistic practice and research has convinced the Commissioning Panel of his ability to present a thought-provoking presentation that speaks to contemporary global issues,' said Eugene Tan, Co-Chair of the Commissioning Panel and Director of SAM.
In his practice, Zhao explores our relationship with the natural world, including how we view animals, and how the natural world is responding to the anthropocene—the geological epoch defined by human intervention.
He recently exhibited at ShanghART Shanghai (2023), the 14th Gwangju Biennale (2023), and the 10th Busan Biennale (2020).
Haeju Kim is a Senior Curator at SAM. She was previously the Deputy Director at Art Sonje Center in Seoul.
'Given Kim's extensive experience and expertise across disciplines and large-scale platforms, as well as the shared research synergies between Zhao and Kim, this holds potential for exploring possibilities of mutual co-existence, multi-species flourishing and more connected ways of being,' Tan said. —[O]
