Shubigi Rao: A Journey of Art, Books, and Intellectual Curiosity

Shubigi Rao: A Trailblazer in Contemporary Art and Literature

Shubigi Rao, an Indian-born Singaporean contemporary artist and writer, has redefined the intersections of art, literature, and history with her deeply intellectual and visually compelling works. She is a trailblazer in multidisciplinary art, using books, etchings, drawings, video, and archives to weave together complex narratives about archaeology, libraries, neuroscience, and the fragile histories of human civilization.

Her work challenges perspectives, confronts forgotten truths, and brings attention to censorship, violence, and the fate of books and knowledge. Shubigi Rao’s journey is one of resilience, intellect, and an insatiable curiosity that has cemented her as one of the most influential figures in contemporary art.

Shubigi Rao: The Artist’s Journey: From Literature to Art

Born in Mumbai in 1975, Shubigi Rao spent her formative years in the Himalayas before moving to Singapore, where she would carve out a distinct niche in the global art landscape. She initially pursued a degree in English Literature from the University of Delhi, which laid the foundation for her later explorations into text, narrative, and historiography. She later transitioned into fine arts, obtaining a Master of Fine Arts (First Class) from LASALLE College of the Arts in Singapore.

Her academic pursuits fueled her artistic trajectory, combining scholarly rigor with visual storytelling. Rao’s works are not just artistic expressions but intellectual inquiries that encourage critical discourse on history, censorship, and the impact of knowledge suppression.

S. Raoul: A Fictional Exploration of Knowledge and Deception

One of the most intriguing aspects of Shubigi Rao’s career was her decade-long pseudonymous project under the fictional identity of S. Raoul. From 2003 to 2013, she assumed the persona of an eccentric male scientist and theorist, producing works that questioned the authority of knowledge and the absurdity of rigid academic structures.

This conceptual performance culminated in 2013 with The Retrospectacle of S. Raoul, where she “killed off” the character in a satirical yet poignant farewell exhibition. The project was a critique of intellectual elitism, pseudoscience, and the precariousness of perceived truth.

The Pulp Project: A Testament to the Power of Books

Perhaps Rao’s most defining work is her ongoing 10-year project, Pulp: A Short Biography of the Banished Book. Initiated in 2014, Pulp is an ambitious exploration of book destruction, censorship, and the resilience of knowledge. The project consists of books, films, installations, and exhibitions that document the systematic erasure of knowledge across cultures and time periods.

Her first volume, Pulp: A Short Biography of the Banished Book, was shortlisted for the Singapore Literature Prize in 2018 and later included in the list of ’50 Greatest Works of SingLit’.

The subsequent volumes, Pulp II: A Visual Bibliography of the Banished Book and Pulp III: An Intimate Inventory of the Banished Book, won the Singapore Literature Prize in Creative Nonfiction in 2020 and 2024, respectively. These works delve into the stories of book smugglers, librarians, and archivists who risk their lives to preserve knowledge, reinforcing the notion that books are not just repositories of information but symbols of resistance.

Representing Singapore on the Global Stage

Shubigi Rao’s impact extends far beyond Singapore. She has exhibited at some of the most prestigious art events worldwide, including the 59th Venice Biennale (2022), 10th Asia-Pacific Triennial (2021), 10th Taipei Biennial (2016), 3rd Pune Biennale (2017), and the 2nd Singapore Biennale (2008). Her 2018 presentation at the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, The Wood for the Trees, was a profound meditation on erasure and loss, engaging viewers in a tactile and intellectual exploration of historical narratives.

In 2019 and 2020, Shubigi Rao was featured in the ArtReview Power 100 list, cementing her status as one of the most influential individuals in contemporary art. This recognition underscores her ability to transcend artistic boundaries and contribute to global conversations on knowledge preservation and the politics of memory.

Curating the Kochi-Muziris Biennale

In 2019, Shubigi Rao was appointed curator of the fifth edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, South Asia’s largest contemporary visual arts festival. Initially scheduled for 2020 but postponed to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, her edition, In Our Veins Flow Ink and Fire, brought together artists who engaged with themes of resistance, resilience, and cultural memory. Her curatorial vision was a testament to her commitment to intellectual engagement and social commentary in art.

Expanding the Narrative: These Petrified Paths

Shubigi Rao’s recent solo exhibition, These Petrified Paths (2022-2023), at the Rockbund Art Museum in Shanghai, addressed the destruction of cultural heritage in Armenia and the geopolitical complexities surrounding oil interests. This exhibition, which spanned four floors, featured a powerful film and interactive elements that immersed viewers in the themes of loss and intervention. The exhibition received critical acclaim and has since been showcased in Austria and will feature in the 16th Sharjah Biennale.

Awards and Accolades

Shubigi Rao’s career is decorated with numerous awards and recognitions, including:

  • Juror’s Choice Award at the APB Foundation Signature Art Prize (2018) for Written in the Margins.
  • Singapore Literature Prize for Creative Nonfiction (2020, 2024) for Pulp II and Pulp III.
  • Inclusion in Vitamin Txt, Phaidon’s prestigious anthology of the most innovative text-based artists (2024).

These accolades are a testament to her ability to merge intellectual inquiry with artistic excellence, inspiring audiences worldwide.

Also Read:Mamak Puteh: The Indian-Malaysian Comedian Who Won Hearts

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