The Singapore Art Museum (SAM) announced today that Dr Susie Lingham will be stepping down as Director of the Singapore Art Museum, a position which she has held since August 2013. Dr Lingham’s last day of service will be on 31 March 2016. Senior Curators Ms Tan Siuli and Ms Joyce Toh will take over the curatorial duties undertaken by Dr Lingham as Curatorial Co-Heads. Meanwhile, SAM CEO Mr Leng Tshua and senior staff will continue to oversee the administrative aspects of the Museum.
In her time at SAM, Dr Lingham had provided a new vision and mission for the Museum. Under her guidance, SAM’s exhibitions have taken on a thematic approach and engaged with the big ideas that inspire and promote future-forward thinking and discussion. Dr Lingham oversaw the presentation of 13 exhibitions, which were curated to high standards of imagination and realisation, leading to enhanced local and regional recognition for SAM.
The exhibitions include:
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Unearthed
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Medium at Large
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Sensorium 360°
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Afterimage: Contemporary Photography from Southeast Asia
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Time Present: Photography from the Deutsche Bank Collection
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Image & Illusion: Video Works from the Yokohama Museum of Art Collection
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Once Upon This Island
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Asia-Pacific Breweries Foundation Signature Art Prize 2015
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Imaginarium
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After Utopia
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President’s Young Talents
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5 Stars, and
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Time of Others
In addition, Dr Lingham managed the Singapore Biennale 2013, saw SAM through the corporatisation period, and was instrumental in developing the curatorial model and foundation for the upcoming Singapore Biennale in 2016.
“It has been an amazing experience being the Director of the Singapore Art Museum, where I was able to work in close creative collaboration with the SAM team to set the course for SAM’s new mandate as the contemporary art museum of Singapore. I have every confidence in the professional expertise and experience of the SAM Curatorial Co-Heads, Ms Joyce Toh and Ms Tan Siuli, to represent SAM’s core work in contemporary art. Creatively and intellectually, I believe that SAM is now a very special organisation with great potential ahead. It has been a great honour to have been given this opportunity to help set SAM on its course towards its brilliant and inspirational future.” says Dr Susie Lingham, Director, Singapore Art Museum.
“I would like to thank Susie for her wholehearted and dedicated service to the Singapore Art Museum. With Susie as Director, and with her unusual gifted shepherding, SAM entered new territory in imaginative and rigorous curatorial directions and is today recognised for its specialisation in contemporary art, and especially from Southeast Asia. On behalf of the Board, I wish Susie all the best in the next phase of her career, and look forward to collaborations in the new future.” says Ms Jane Ittogi, Chairman, Singapore Art Museum Board.
As an artist, writer, educator and curator, Dr Lingham intends to continue her work in these areas after she steps down. The search for Dr Lingham’s replacement will commence soon.
