ABOUT INSTINC

Founded in 2004 by artist Yeo Shih Yun, INSTINC stands as a leading artist-run-institution based in Singapore.

With a distinguished presence in the arts ecosystem, INSTINC diligently sustains the growth of contemporary art through exhibitions, residency programs and curations. Their esteemed Artist-in-Residence program has cultivated invaluable regional and international networks from 2009-2022. INSTINC is celebrated for producing immersive, large-scale exhibitions that encompass installation, new media, performance, painting and sculpture, showcasing the diverse range of artistic expressions.

Notable collaborations include partnerships with renowned brands such as Volvo and Guinness, further demonstrating INSTINC's commitment to fostering cross-disciplinary exchanges. Moreover, INSTINC takes immense pride in organizing the highly anticipated INSTINC D:Art Festival 2022, generously supported by UOB Bank and the NAC start fund.
With their relocation at Tanjong Pagar Distripark in 2024, INSTINC joins the Singapore Art Museum (SAM), Whitestone Gallery, Gajah gallery and more in converting the area into a landmark for arts-based endeavors. Their history with the Distripark can be traced back to the showcase of DE:VOTED 13-19 JAN SAW 2020, which achieved one of the most remarkable successes among all INSTINC exhibitions. Here, they will endure in fostering creative individuals and collective practitioners by establishing a platform for cross-disciplinary exchanges.
Delve into a diverse array of captivating exhibitions and projects curated by INSTINC, featuring stunning installations, innovative new media works, mesmerizing performances, evocative paintings, and captivating sculptures. With expertises in exhibition curation, commissioned works and brand alliances, INSTINC endeavors as a vital presence in the cultivation of contemporary art.

INSTINC SOHO 2020-2021
INSTINC SOHO LOFT 2020-2021
INSTINC SOHO 2020-2021
Artist Anya Mielniczek’s exhibition -Sophrosyne: Polyethylene-based Control in INSTINC SOHO (Clarke Quay)

"At INSTINC, we are driven by a powerful mission to uphold artistic independence and nurture a thriving community through innovative and experimental collaborations. Our unwavering vision has always been artist-focused, as we strive to create an environment where our talented artists can continue to ignite inspiration within us and our community. Together, we embark on a remarkable journey of creativity, pushing boundaries, and shaping the future of art."

Yeo Shih Yun, Founder and Artistic Director of INSTINC

OUR VALUES

Collaboration.

Friendship.

Cultural Exchange.

"INSTINC is not a commercial gallery... It's a project of an artist dreamer..." – Alba Escayo

The project of an artist dreamer

by Hsiung Lu-Fang

Written for the occasion of INSTINC’s 10th anniversary publication, 2014

The story of INSTINC is in fact a story just as much of the Singaporean artist Yeo Shih Yun – its narrative marked simultaneously by passion and energy, inexplicable coincidences and friendship.

Officially founded in 2004 by Shih Yun, INSTINC started initially in a Chinatown shophouse, then as an artist collective sharing a studio on Emerald Hill, and later evolved over the years to become an artist-run residency and art space. One of INSTINC's key missions is to encourage collaboration, cultural exchange and the sharing of ideas in contemporary art between local as well as international artists, and it also aims to establish an exciting platform where artists and the public can engage with contemporary art and critical discourses.

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History of INSTINC

Having made its home in diverse locales including Chinatown, Emerald Hill, an old shop house along Mohamed Sultan Road and Clarke Quay SOHO, INSTINC has undergone various transformations since its inception in 2004. Rewinding back to 2009, INSTINC first situated in a SOHO unit just above Clarke Quay station. In 2011, INSTINC expanded further by establishing its second studio space in the Western region of Singapore, resulting in INSTINC SOHO & INSTINC STUDIOS, which operated in Kallang from 2016 to 2018. After bidding farewell to its Clarke Quay premise in 2019, INSTINC returned to SOHO centering its focus on digital art, resulting in the prestigious INSTINC D:ART FEST. 2024 not only marks the 20 years milestone of INSTINC, but a new start for the institution at Tanjong Pagar Distripark. Nestled within the spirited art hub, it offers INSTINC an exquisite place for resuming its programs at its best.