A free international art exhibition lands on Orchard Road this week, and it comes with works the public almost never gets to see.
> Quick view: Voice of Art 7: Hope. Peace. Love, 21-27 Oct 2026 at ION Art gallery, Level 4, ION Orchard, 10am-10pm daily, free admission. Artists from 6 countries, a rarely seen Singapore private collectors' showcase, a glass art spotlight, and free live demos on 23, 26 and 27 Oct (3-5pm).
THE SHOW: six countries, three words
Voice of Art 7 is the seventh edition of Be One Gallery's exhibition series, and this round asked its artists one question: what do hope, peace and love mean to you? The answers span figurative, surreal and abstract styles from artists across Singapore, China, Vietnam, India, South Korea and France, including:
- Abu Jalal (Singapore): Gold Award winner at the 2017 UOB Painting of the Year, known for his socially reflective Big Nose series. His *Peace is Priceless* puts a sunflower-headed figure, Singapore flag on the lapel, cradling a white dove.
- Ma Dongmin (China): the Beijing-based painter of horses in his signature cerulean blue, fresh off a June 2026 solo show at Leica's South Beach Quarter store.
- Zakir Husain Tanha (India): surreal, symbol-rich acrylics that tackle social issues; his dreamlike *The Kettle of Love* trades a figure's head for a kettle in a field of pink lotus.
- The late Nguyen Lam (Vietnam, 1941-2025): oil and lacquer works by a painter selected for the Paris Biennale in 1961 and 1963.
- Lim Poh Teck (Singapore): Grand Prize winner at UOB's 9th Painting of the Year in 1990 and NAC Young Artist Award recipient in 1997.
- Plus Barry Yeow (Singapore, Monet-influenced), Do Duy Tuan (Vietnam), Henri Wojcik (France, jazz-inspired, Cubist-flavoured) and Kim Chang Han (South Korea).
THE PART YOU CAN'T USUALLY SEE
Alongside the artists' works, the exhibition shows selected pieces from the private collections of renowned Singapore art collectors. These normally live in private homes and vaults and are seldom shown publicly, which makes this the quiet highlight of the week: a one-room chance to see what Singapore's serious collectors actually buy. There is also a dedicated glass art showcase, introducing the medium and its local community.
FREE LIVE DEMOS: three afternoons, three mediums
All demonstrations run 3pm to 5pm at the gallery:
- Friday 23 Oct: stained glass by Felicia Yong, Singapore's pioneering stained glass artist with over 40 years of experience
- Monday 26 Oct: watercolour by Htayy Win of the Singapore Watercolour Society
- Tuesday 27 Oct: contemporary art by William Goh, president of the Modern Art Society Singapore
BEFORE YOU GO
- Where: ION Art gallery, Level 4, ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn
- When: 21 to 27 October 2026, 10.00am to 10.00pm daily
- Cost: free, no ticket needed
- Gallery enquiries: Be One Gallery, WhatsApp 8989 2007
The 10pm closing time is the practical win here: most free exhibitions shut by 6 or 7, so this is one you can still catch after dinner in town.
