Heman Chong

Biography

Heman Chong is an artist, curator and writer whose practice involves creating objects, images, installations, situations or texts based on conceptually-driven research. Chong received an MA degree in Communication Art and Design from the Royal College of Art, London. He recently presented Calendars (2020–2096), an installation at the NUS Museum, Singapore, made up of 1001 calendar pages featuring photos that capture moments of complete stillness in bustling areas of Singapore.

According to the Artist, these images emphasise the susceptibility of these spaces 'to change, to every sway of policy, to every new wave.' In PHILIP, the collectively-written novel, the Artist co-authored with Mark Aerial Waller, Cosmin Costinas, Rosemary Heather, Francis McKee, David Reinfurt, Steve Rushton and Leife Magne Tangen, notions of future and community are investigated. This novel was the product of a concept developed by Chong that involved organising a writing workshop with Leif Magne Tangen at Project Arts Centre in Dublin, Ireland in 2006.

Chong’s recent solo exhibitions include Lem 1, Rossi & Rossi, London (2012); Calendars 2020-2096; NUS Museum, Singapore (2012); I’m on your side, Kunstverein Milano, Italy (2010) and The Sole Proprietor and other Stories, Vitamin Creative Space, Guangzhou, China (2006). The Artist has participated in group exhibitions including, Trickster makes this world, Nam June Paik Art Center, South Korea (2010); The Malady of Writing, Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona, Spain (2009); The Demon of Comparisons, Stedelijk Museum Bureau Amasterdam, The Netherlands (2009) and Like an Attali Report, but Different, Kadist Art Foundation, Paris, France (2008).

Chong has participated in international biennials including, the Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, Queensland, Australia (2012); Performa 11, New York (2011), Momentum 6, Moss, Norway (2011); Manifesta 8, Murcia, Spain (2010); Singapore Biennale (2008); SCAPE Christchurch Biennial of Art in Public Space, New Zealand (2006);, Busan Biennale, Korea (2004); Triennale-India, New Delhi (2001). Chong represented Singapore at the Venice Biennale (2003).