The internationally acclaimed Japanese artist makes his Southeast Asia debut with a landmark exhibition at Singapore Art Museum.
Singapore’s art scene continues to build momentum. From blockbuster museum shows to independent galleries and immersive installations, the city has become an increasingly exciting destination for contemporary culture. Now, Singapore is preparing to welcome one of Japan’s most acclaimed artists, as Hiroshi Sugimoto: Form Is Emptiness arrives at Singapore Art Museum.
Taking place at Singapore Art Museum at Tanjong Pagar Distripark, the exhibition will run from 29 May to 4 October 2026. Marking Sugimoto’s first major exhibition in Southeast Asia, the showcase brings together 63 works from 11 series, alongside 14 ancient fossils from the artist’s personal collection. Together, they trace five decades of artistic enquiry, conceptual exploration and creative experimentation.
Hiroshi Sugimoto is regarded as one of Japan’s most influential contemporary artists. Born in Tokyo, he is best known for his striking black-and-white photography, but his practice extends far beyond the camera. Over the years, he has worked across sculpture, architecture, installation and collecting, creating works that examine time, memory, perception and the relationship between what we see and what we believe.
The Singapore exhibition takes its title from the Buddhist Heart Sutra, with the phrase “form is emptiness” pointing to the idea that nothing exists independently. This sense of quiet contemplation sits at the centre of Sugimoto’s practice, where images, objects and spaces often invite viewers to question the nature of reality.
Rather than following a conventional route, the Hiroshi Sugimoto exhibition in Singapore has been conceived around the structure of a mandala. Visitors are encouraged to move through the space freely, creating their own path through the works. This non-linear approach mirrors Sugimoto’s interest in cycles, spirituality and the passage of time.
Expect photography, sculpture, installations and architectural elements, alongside ancient fossils that add another layer to the artist’s reflections on history and existence. The result is a meditative and visually compelling exhibition that asks visitors to slow down, look closely and consider the world from a different perspective.
For anyone interested in contemporary art, Japanese aesthetics or exhibitions that go beyond the ordinary, Hiroshi Sugimoto: Form Is Emptiness looks set to be one of Singapore’s most thoughtful cultural highlights of the year.
Where: Singapore Art Museum, 39 Keppel Road, Tanjong Pagar, Singapore, 089065
When: 29 May to 4 October 2026
Contact: www.singaporeartmuseum.sg