NOR’S NUSANTARA

How does art challenge preconceived ideas about fixed identities and place? In this episode, Dr. June Yap unravels her pioneering work with the Guggenheim UBS Global Art Initiative for South and Southeast Asia, a project that not only maps contemporary artistic activity in South Asia and Southeast Asia but also questions our notions of nations and boundaries. We also investigate her insightful book “Retrospective: A Historiographical Aesthetic in Contemporary Singapore and Malaysia” that unveils the intricate connections between two neighbouring nations through the lens of art and aesthetics that reconsider both our historical narratives and identities.

Join us for an intimate walkthrough of cherished Nusantara objects, exploring the rich craftsmanship, symbolic layers, and cultural interconnections across maritime Southeast Asia. These profound yet everyday artifacts celebrate Malay-world ingenuity, entrepreneurship, and exchanges, challenging colonial stereotypes through hands-on appreciation of traditions from Java, Minangkabau, Banjarmasin, Terengganu, Kelantan, and more.

In this episode, we sit down with Low Sze Wee, a leading figure in Singapore’s art scene to explore the profound significance of Nanyang art in picturing a modern understanding of the Nusantara. As a key modern art movement that emerged in pre-war Singapore, Nanyang art reflects the region’s dynamic blend of cultures and histories. Through the cosmopolitan experiences of its artists, the movement captured the spirit of the Nusantara—its landscapes, people, and evolving identity. Sze Wee, known for his expertise in ink art and curating the works of prominent regional artists, sheds light on how Nanyang art bridged the poetic, political, and personal, offering a unique lens on the region’s journey through modernity. Discover the lasting impact of Nanyang art and its role in picturing the rich tapestry of maritime Southeast Asia.

Set against Ai Wei Wei's monumental Law of the Journey staged by The Ryan Foundation at Capella Singapore, this panel hosted by Nor’s Nusantara, a platform dedicated to visual cultures of maritime Southeast Asia, will navigate the powerful themes of the artwork through a maritime lens, connecting the treacherous sea journeys of refugees to the currents of migration and belonging. The conversation explores the deliberate tension of presenting this “guerrilla exhibition” within Capella’s ballroom setting, a space overlooking the South China Sea and St. John's Island, Singapore’s former migrant quarantine centre.Bringing together leaders in diplomacy, curation, and art patronage, the panel will explore the role of art in social consciousness around displacement, belonging, and memory. Through the staging of Ai Wei Wei’s Law of the Journey for Singapore Art Week 2026, this special talk contemplates how the seas have served as both conduits of hope and witnesses to crisis.Dr Ryan Su: Founder of The Ryan Foundation, a private non-profit arts organisation dedicated to promoting arts awareness in Singapore and internationally. A lawyer, art collector, and recipient of Singapore's Patron of the Arts and Heritage Awards, Dr Su has organised significant exhibitions featuring international artists like Andy Warhol and Lucy Liu, fostering cultural exchange.• H.E. Kateryna Zelenko, Ambassador of Ukraine to Singapore: (Note: According to MFA’s website) Her Excellency Ambassador Kateryna Zelenko is a career diplomat. Prior to her accreditation to Singapore, she served as the Spokesperson of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry and Deputy Director of the Communications and Public Diplomacy Department. Ambassador Zelenko joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in 2002. Her postings abroad include Ukrainian Embassy in the Republic of Austria and Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the International Organisations in Vienna, later, from 2007 to 2011 and from 2014 to 2018 – Embassy of Ukraine in the Federal Republic of Germany, where she was covering culture, press and public diplomacy issues. In 2018 she returned to Kyiv to work in the Political Department of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry. Her appointment as Ukraine’s MFA Chief Spokesperson followed shortly thereafter. Kateryna Zelenko obtained her Master in International Relations and Foreign Policy at the Institute of International Relations of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv(Ukraine).• Prof Ute Meta Bauer: Founding Director of the NTU Centre for Contemporary Art Singapore, a former Dean of the School of Fine Art at the Royal College of Art, and a renowned curator. Prof. Bauer has extensive experience in biennales and exhibitions dealing with transdisciplinary and socio-political themes, making her a leading voice on art's engagement with global issues.• Nor Wang (Moderator): Founder of Nor's Nusantara, a platform dedicated to Southeast Asian art and culture. As a moderator, Nor brings deep regional insight and can bridge the discussion between the artwork's global themes and its specific resonance within the Singaporean and Southeast Asian context.

In this episode, we are joined by Ryan Su, whose expertise in both art collecting and legal specialisation provides a unique lens through which to explore the Nusantara’s rich artistic traditions. Ryan shares insights into how his work bridges the worlds of art acquisition and legal frameworks, shedding light on the importance of preserving and protecting art within the region. As we discuss his journey, Ryan will highlight how his dual focus on art and law has shaped his approach to the art world, offering a nuanced perspective on collecting practices and the complexities of art ownership. Join us for an enlightening conversation that explores the intersection of art, law, and cultural heritage in the Nusantara.

Why are art exhibitions relevant in shaping our views of the world and the region itself? We break this down with Dr Seng Yu Jin, as he guides us through a comparison of two distinct curatorial approaches showcased at recent international art biennales. We discuss Indonesian collective ruangrupa's curation at Documenta 15 in Kassel, Germany based on the idea of lumbung, an Indonesian rice barn practice of collective economy, and Brazilian curator Adriano Pedrosa's provocative theme “Foreigners Everywhere” for the 60th Venice Biennale in Italy. Tune in as we unveil how these perspectives influence our interpretation of the world through art.

How is power defined in the Nusantara? This episode explores a compelling answer found not in treaties or battles, but in art. In this episode of Nor’s Nusantara, we are joined by Dr Annabel Gallop (Head of Southeast Asia, The British Library) to decode the power of the written word, as it appears in two striking visual forms, manuscripts of the Qur’an and the worldly inscriptions of seals. One embodies spiritual authority, the other political might. Together, they create a potent fusion that legitimised rulers and shaped the region’s identity.

In this episode, we uncover a fascinating journey through Kennie Ting’s latest book, “The Great Port Cities of Asia: In History.” Join us as we travel through time in key Nusantara port cities with Kennie as he guides us through the riveting evolution of port cities from Kedah, Palembang, Melaka, Aceh and Singapura. We explore why understanding the rise and fall of these bustling entrepôts is essential for grasping the broader cultural and historical tapestry of the Nusantara, including the pre-colonial beginnings of Singapore. Tune in as we unravel the layers of this captivating narrative and discover how these port cities shaped the rich heritage and visual culture of the region.

In this episode, we embark on a journey in the Nusantara with Khir Johari, through his multi-award-winning book The Food of Singapore Malays: Gastronomic Travels. Together, we explore a rich heritage — culture, traditions, and people—through Khir’s perspective. Growing up in Gedung Kuning, a historic villa on the grounds of Singapore's last Sultan at Kampong Gelam, Khir offers a rare glimpse into his memories, deep insights into its culture, and a fascinating collection of artefacts. Whether you're new to the topic or well-versed in it, this episode promises an enriching exploration of a world that continues to inspire.

Welcome to today’s episode, where we immerse ourselves in the fascinating world of ancient maritime networks with Dr. Stephen Murphy. Join us as we investigate the mystery of a remarkable 9th-century shipwreck discovered off Belitung Island, Southern Sumatra. This incredible find, now housed at the Asian Civilisations Museum and expertly curated by Stephen, has transformed our perspective on the Nusantara trade routes and their pivotal role in the ancient global economy.Stephen also brings us insights from his latest book, “Buddhist Landscapes: Art and Archaeology of the Khorat Plateau, 7th to 11th Centuries,” a discovery that casts new light on the influence of Buddhism in the region during the early millennia rendering regional . Followed by his exhibition “Raffles in Southeast Asia” which made history by showcasing the royal regalia of Johor Riau Lingga’s last sultan for the first time in Asia. Tune in for an episode packed with history, art, and groundbreaking discoveries!

In this episode, we’re joined by renowned art historian T.K. Sabapathy to delve into the ancient roots of Nusantara art. Taking us back to the pre-modern era, T.K. explains how archaeologists and philologists, rather than art historians, were the first to apply the term “art” to Southeast Asia’s heritage, as they encountered works framed within Hindu-Buddhist cosmologies. Through two key examples of early Hindu-Buddhist art of Prambanan and Borobudur temples in Java, T.K. illuminates the symbolic depth and historical significance embedded in these ancient art forms, offering us a rare look into the foundational layers of art in the Nusantara region. Join us for this enlightening exploration of Southeast Asia’s rich artistic legacy.

Nor’s Nusantara X Money FM98.3In our Singapore Home Brew segment where we look at the rich maritime history, art, and culture of the Nusantara — an interconnected region shaped by centuries of trade, migration, and creativity. Joining us today are two guests who discuss Singapore’s role in this vast and layered story. Nor Wang, Founder, Nor’s Nusantara Podcast and Richard Hassell, Co-Founder, WOHA Architects join Saturday Mornings Host Glenn van Zutphen and Co-host Neil Humphreys

In this pilot episode of Nor’s Nusantara, we re-examine Singapore from the vantage point of maritime Southeast Asia’s urgent ecological and cultural shifts through her curatorial leadership as Founding Director of NTU Centre for Contemporary Art. We discuss her work with maritime communities in "Climate Crisis and Cultural Loss," highlighting her oceanic journey from the Pacific to Riau as expedition leader for TBA21–Academy's The Current, navigating climate-vulnerable Pacific archipelagos. In re-looking visual clichés of Southeast Asia, we discuss the centre’s artists’ residencies such as Robert Zhao, whose photographs of Christmas Island challenge stereotypical narratives of exoticism and otherness. His work offers fresh perspectives on regional identity and environmental care. When the seas are forgotten, we return to "Arus Balik: From Below the Wind to Above the Wind and Back Again", a project inspired by political prisoner Pramoedya’s book on the decline of Majapahit’s maritime power in the 16th century because they turned their backs to the sea. Curated by Ade Dermawan and Philippe Pirotte, it features Melati Suryodarmo’s Dancing under the Black Sky (2019), exploring Reog dance performance as resistance during Majapahit’s decline.For over 30 years of, she has curated major exhibitions; Documenta 11 with the late Okwui Enwezor, renowned for its politically engaged approach that highlighted diverse voices and social justice. She was also part of Documenta's Finding Commission with Amar Kanwar and Philippe Pirotte among others, instrumental in appointing ruangrupa as its first Asian artistic directors.Ute has held key roles at the Royal College of Art London, MIT, and Vienna’s Academy of Fine Arts. Her curatorial work includes the 3rd Berlin Biennale and the U.S. Pavilion at Venice 56 with Joan Jonas. Recently, she received an Honorary Doctorate from Aalto University in Finland.

Exciting podcast coming soon! NOR’S NUSANTARA is a podcast series that explores the essence of the Nusantara through the language of art by highlighting influential voices, thinkers and creators in the sphere of culture from Singapore and beyond. Directed and produced by Nor, it is part of her ongoing research to explore how the language of art can contribute new knowledge towards understanding the contexts we are in. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.