The Substation Closes: Look Back At Singapore’s First Independent Contemporary Art Centre

Did you know Prince Edward made a surprise visit in 1992? Take a nostalgia ride down The Substation, with archival images dating back to the 1990s.

After three decades of being a mainstay in Singapore's art scene, The Substation Board announced yesterday the permanent closure of The Substation. The decision was made after lengthy deliberations and discussions with the National Arts Council (NAC) and with members of the local art community.

"I am saddened by the permanent closure of The Substation. The Substation provided a place for meaningful connections (people, ideas and spirit) on my art journey. This is valuable not just for me but also to many others who have come forward and commented generously over the weeks regarding Substation's future," said Joint Artistic Director, Woon Tien Wei in a press statement.

As previously announced in local media, The Substation was to vacate its premises in July, with the NAC taking back the building for renovation works. However, it was unable to return fully to its premises, and lost autonomy over the spaces and faciltiies.

Ahead, we take a look back at The Substation over its 30 years of running, and its impact on the local arts scene in Singapore.

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Mr Kuo Pao Kun talking to a man at the official opening of The Substation. Mr Kuo was the founder of The Substation. The official opening was held on 16 September 1990. Image: The Substation Ltd and National Library Board Singapore

Ms Michelle Yim (Mixue), a Hong Kong actress, visiting at The Substation in 1991. Standing behind her is Mr Kuo Pao Kun, founder of The Substation. Image: The Substation Ltd and National Library Board Singapore

The Substation was set up by playwright, theatre director, Cultural Medallion recipient and arts activist Kuo Pao Kun in September 1990. The idea for an independent arts centre first came in Kuo in December 1985, where he envisioned the future for the then abandoned power substation as a place where people could gather freely to interact and engage across different art forms.

It was set up as a home for the arts, and centrally located in the city's civic district, and the first building under the National Art's Council's "Arts Housing Scheme." The site was previously a power sub-station (hence the name), with a building that dates from 1926.

Under his direction, The Substation during the 1990s was an inter-disciplinary, multicultural and pioneering arts space, with a focus on experimental arts.

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Mr Philip Jeyaretnam at the Guinness "Arts for all" Evening, held at The Substation Garden. Seated at a round table, Mr Philip is reading "The Man Who Planted Trees", a tale by French author Jean Giono. The event was held on 8 July 1991 to commemorate Guinness Asia Pacific's patronage of The Substation Image: The Substation Ltd and National Library Board Singapore

A scene at "Switch Off the Lights, Please", a performance art by Tang Da Wu, a Singaporean artist. The performance was presented under Guinness Raw Theatre I, at The Substation Garden between 6 and 17 December 1991. Image: The Substation Ltd and National Library Board Singapore

Prince Edward of England (arms folded) with six Boy Scouts at The Substation on 6th March 1992. Prince Edward was there for a surprise visit. Image: The Substation Ltd and National Library Board Singapore

Pioneering Singapore performance artist Lee Wen, with his whole body painted in yellow. He is carrying a piece of chain, while there are two other pieces of chains on the ground, as part of his artwork "Journey of a yellow man no. 3 - Desire", held at the Substation on 21 to 25 July 1993. Image: The Substation Ltd and National Library Board Singapore

Professor Tommy Koh greeting visitors to the opening of the "Our place in time" conference, held on 16 September 1994 at The Substation's Guinness Theatre. Professor Koh was the Guest of Honour at the conference. The "Our place in time" conference was held to celebrate heritage in Singapore Image: The Substation Ltd and National Library Board Singapore

A scene from "Talk", a talk show comedy presented by The Necessary Stage (TNS) in 1994. The talk show was part of a double bill performance under Raw Theatre 3, the other being the play "Logos". At the centre stage are Rajesh Krishnamuti (centre) and Hossan Leong (right), with another actress. Image: The Substation Ltd and National Library Board Singapore

A performer in white mask during a performance from The Artists' Project at Raw Theatre 3. The events from The Artists' Project were held from 8th to 10th May 1994. Image: The Substation Ltd and National Library Board Singapore

Two young men sitting on chairs and playing guitars during the relaunch of Sub's Square in 1995 at the Substation. Image: The Substation Ltd and National Library Board Singapore

Dancers performing at Dance Space, a dance festival that was held in 1995. Image: The Substation Ltd and National Library Board Singapore

Five performers of the Blue Monkish art show on stage, part of a Community Outreach Programme that was directed by Zai Kuning in 1997. Image: The Substation Ltd and National Library Board Singapore

Kuo Pao Kun (left) at the Looking Back at Singapore Theatre conference that was held from 18th to 20th September 1998. Image: The Substation Ltd and National Library Board Singapore

"For Want of a Better Word (or Please)", a performance by Daniel Kok and a woman, an event under Septfest 99, held on 5 September 1999 at The Substation dance studio. Image: The Substation Ltd and National Library Board Singapore.

Artist Raymond Lau (left) introducing a painting to President Nathan during his visit to The Substation in 2000. Image: The Substation Ltd and National Library Board Singapore

A man speaking on stage at The Guinness Theatre for the American Short Shorts Film Festival 2001. Image: The Substation Ltd and National Library Board Singapore

Multidisciplinary artist Zai Kuning at his exhibition titled "After 'The Space'", held at The Substation from 9 to 15 September 1992. The exhibition includes a display of packed and sealed boxes containing his earlier artworks. Image: The Substation Ltd and National Library Board Singapore

A female dancer at a performance entitled Innocence by Elizabeth De Roza and Gozde Zehnder. In the background of the photograph is a birdcage and a screen. The performance was held from 25th to 27th January 2002. Image: The Substation Ltd and National Library Board Singapore

Royston Tan posing with the Voice Award at the inaugural Singapore Short Film Festival, for his short film "Mother". Held in 2001, the event was organised by The Substation Moving Images. Image: The Substation Ltd and National Library Board Singapore

For more images of The Substation, check out PictureSG from the National Library Board (NLB) collection.