New Artistic Director for 2021-2022
Ezzam Rahman
Singapore, September 12, 2021 – The Substation welcomes its new Artistic Director, Mr. Ezzam Rahman, in joining the next chapter of renewing the organisation. Ms. Raka Maitra will be moving on to focus on her company – Chowk Productions.
“Becoming the Artistic Director of The Substation was not just a huge honour but it was also a huge responsibility. I went in thinking that I would be able to give back to it and the art community- but in fact, I met so many artists and got involved in so many projects, that again The Substation gave me more than I thought possible, and that is the magic of The Substation. I wish the new team every success for the future - We need The Substation.” said Maitra.
Maitra has been the co-Artistic Director with Dr. Woon Tien Wei since 2020. Maitra continued to helm The Substation after its move out the organisation’s long-term home. She will be continuing as Advisor to the Substation, along with Ms Audrey Wong and Mr. Kok Heng Leun.
Maitra oversaw SeptFest 2020, themed ‘In the Margin’ and SeptFest 2021 ‘Alternative Voices’ which featured notable programmes such as The Migrant Workers Community Museum, Waltz of the Flower by Caroline Chin and Marvin Acero Ablao, and Tea Leaves Glowing In The Wind by Tang Da Wu and Zai Tang. Maitra’s tenure has been marked by the theme of marginalisation, thus giving a platform for the unheard.
Ezzam is a multi-disciplinary artist and art educator based in Singapore. He graduated with a Masters in Arts, Fine Arts from Goldsmiths University of London in 2017, Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts from the University of Huddersfield in 2010 and was formally trained as a sculptor from LASALLE-SIA College of the Arts in 2003. He lectures adjunct at LASALLE College of the Arts, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and National Institute of Education, Singapore. Ezzam’s works features narratives that challenges and expands the notions of identity politics, the inherent paradoxes of presence and marginality. Most of his works are autobiographical, time-based ephemeras that aim to pique the viewer’s thoughts on the topic of impermanence, trace, and abjection.
Ezzam’s achievements are boundless – he has been awarded the Grand Prize for the President's Young Talents (2015) and People's Choice Award by the Singapore Art Museum, Goh Chok Tong Youth Promise Award by Yayasan Mendaki (2016) and the prestigious Young Artist Award by the National Arts Council, Singapore, (2016). He was one of the participating artists that presented in Singapore Inside Out in Sydney, Australia organized by the Singapore Tourism Board, 2017 and in 2018. Ezzam was also invited by Frieze Art Fair in London, to be part of Frieze Symposium in a panel discussion on, A Brief History of Performance in Southeast Asia.
On the future of The Substation, Ezzam said, “Art allows us to lose and find ourselves, time and again. That’s why The Substation is still here today and will continue to support artists. I wish to cultivate a safe and secure environment where artists can remain courageous in their art making.”
“The Substation is pleased to welcome Ezzam Rahman as its new Artistic Director. Ezzam is a dynamic artist whose works reflect a vulnerability and curiosity that engages both the mind and heart. Ezzam’s cross-disciplinary practice and passion for education and the community, allows us to build upon the excellent work done by Raka Maitra, who has curated 2 editions of SeptFest during the very challenging pandemic period. Both Ezzam and Raka are artists who have great dedication towards The Substation’s future, and we are pleased to have Raka continue her contribution as Advisor.”
- Ms. Yuni Hadi, Chairperson of The Substation
[Update] Ezzam Rahman resigned as Artistic Director in November 2022. As one of the busiest artists in the community, The Substation was fortunate to have Ezzam as our Artistic Director in the year that he was with us and is grateful for his contributions as we celebrate his journey and wish him best in his future endeavours.