MOST art galleries aspire to expand their footprint. Artists Arrvinraj and Joshua Kon, however, have chosen to move in the opposite direction.
The duo, who first met while working part-time at a commercial art gallery in Singapore in 2023, are bringing their unconventional project, the Con Temporary Art Gallery, to the 17th George Town Festival 2026.
The miniature gallery, housed in a small portable box, was among the attractions showcased during a recent George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) press conference at The Maker along Beach Street, where state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai announced details of the upcoming festival.
Scheduled from Aug 1 to 9, the festival will feature more than 40 programmes involving artists from 10 countries, with over 80 per cent of events free to attend.
For Johor-born Arrvindraj and Singaporean Kon, the idea behind the Con Temporary Art Gallery emerged from a simple observation. While working at a gallery, they noticed many visitors hesitating to step inside.
“Rather than asking people to come to a gallery, we bring the gallery to them,” Arrvinraj told Buletin Mutiara in a recent interview.
What began as a playful discussion soon evolved into a practical solution. Instead of persuading people to enter a gallery space, the pair decided to make a gallery small enough to travel directly to its audience.
Although the gallery resembles a scale model, the artworks displayed inside are original pieces created specifically for the miniature setting.
“We invite artists to create works that are naturally small, rather than simply miniaturising existing ones. While the size is reduced, the ambitions are not,” Kon explained.
To Kon, bigger is not always better. He said creating large artworks often comes with practical considerations, such as production, storage, transportation and sales.
“Those questions inspired us. Working at a smaller scale forces artists to think carefully about every detail while still considering the bigger picture. In that sense, limits can be quite productive,” he said.
The project also challenges conventional ideas about exhibition spaces. By removing the need for a permanent venue, the gallery can appear in unexpected locations and engage audiences who might not ordinarily visit an art gallery.
Kon also noted that gallery rental in Singapore can be prohibitively expensive, making alternative exhibition models worth exploring.
Arrvinraj said the gallery’s portability allows exhibitions to adapt to different surroundings, creating new meanings and experiences for viewers.
Kon added with a laugh: “On a practical level, I can keep it inside my bedroom.”
Visitors to the George Town Festival can expect to encounter the gallery as it travels through the city’s heritage streets on a bicycle inspired by the traditional roti man bicycles once commonly seen outside his grandmother’s home in Nibong Tebal.
“You don’t see them as often anymore, and I like the idea of borrowing a familiar form that is local to the city. We look forward to experiencing the festival alongside everyone else,” said Kon, adding that their bicycle carrying the gallery may be parked at Hin Bus Depot or other busy spots in George Town for a few hours at a time.
For more information, visit George Town Festival or follow George Town Festival on Facebook and Instagram (@georgetownfestival).
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Alissala Thian