NOR’S NUSANTARA

Nor Wang
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Arts
  • Updated Monthly

NOR’S NUSANTARA 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. It is part of a ongoing research to explore how the language of art can contribute to new knowledge.

Episodes

  1. Jul 11

    New Discoveries from the Malay Peninsula’s Earliest Landscape with Nor Wang & Nasha Khaw

    Dr. Nasha Khaw joins Nor’s Nusantara a podcast to discuss his work at Bukit Choras and across the wider Bujang Valley is especially resonant within this exploration. Since 2016, Dr. Khaw has led excavations at Bukit Choras, a limestone outcrop along Kedah’s ancient riverine corridor. In 2024, his team uncovered a remarkable discovery: a 1,000-year-old, life-size stucco image of a meditating Buddha. This extraordinary find reframes the historical and geopolitical understanding of the region, positioning it as a critical gateway for early trade and commerce in the Nusantara.In this episode, the conversation turns to how some of the region’s earliest Hindu–Buddhist landscapes—enshrined in art and material culture—open up a new topography for understanding trade, connectivity, and early forms of globalisation.

  2. Apr 19

    Historiographical Aesthetics in Contemporary Singapore and Malaysia With Nor Wang & June Yap

    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.

  3. Feb 16

    Nanyang Art and Artists in the Nusantara With Nor Wang & Low Sze Wee

    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.

  4. Jan 10

    Lumbung & Foreigners Everywhere. Picturing the Global South with Nor Wang & Seng Yu Jin

    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.

  5. 12/10/2025

    The Power Of The Written Word In Manuscripts And Seals Of The Nusantara With Nor Wang & Dr Annabel Teh Gallop

    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.

  6. 11/22/2025

    Nusantara Port Cities With Nor Wang & Kennie Ting

    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.

  7. 09/03/2025

    Shipwrecks, Treasures & Buddhas. Ancient Nusantara Trade With Nor Wang & Stephen Murphy

    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!

  8. 06/21/2025

    Exploring Pre-Modern Art In The Nusantara With Nor Wang & T.K. Sabapathy

    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.

  9. 06/01/2025

    Paradise Lost in the Nusantara with Nor Wang & Ute Meta Bauer

    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.

  • 9 Episodes

About

NOR’S NUSANTARA 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. It is part of a ongoing research to explore how the language of art can contribute to new knowledge.

Information

  • Creator
    Nor Wang
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Nor Wang
  • Show Website
    NOR’S NUSANTARA