As I was researching on Emily Hill, there is a debate on what is the difference between Emily Hill and Gilman Barracks? If you read my post on Interview with People on the Hill here, I asked Sock Fong, an residential artist in Emily Hill, about what is the difference between Emily Hill and Gillman Barracks.
A background on Gillman Barracks :
It was a former military barracks which dated back in 1936. The Gillman Barracks visual arts launched in 2012 and its vision is to be Asia’s destination for presenting and having discussion of International and Southeast Asian Art. There are many galleries and exhibitions for art goers to visit and workshops and food & beverages for the public to enjoy. You can visit their website here.
As a person who did not visit Gilman Barracks before, I needed to know what makes Emily Hill special from Gilman Barracks. Therefore, I made a short trip down.
I was welcome at the Entrance when there is a big sign of Gillman Barracks. I start to see the colonial blocks houses at the front and it does have the similar vibe as Emily Hill due to the clean white exterior contrasting with the nature greens.
I went to visit the different blocks of buildings. One was a gallery show titled “Sovereign Heads”, a solo presentation of Marcin Dudek and curated by art historian Przemyslaw Strozek artist which is located a Yeo’s workshop. This was when I realized each building is individual and they are quite far apart unlike Emily Hill which is one whole land and the artists are linked up side by side.
There were a number of blocks that are selling artist works like clay tea pots, marble furniture, local fashion etc. As I walked further in, there was this centralized area where the shops are mainly Food and Beverages. There was a total number of 6 F&B shops. It is definitely buzzing with people and the aroma of food can be smelled from a distance.
There are sculptures displayed at certain areas around Gillman Barracks, similar to Emily Hill. I got to see some beautiful graffiti works at different part of the blocks. The colours from the works brought life to the place.
As I walked deeper into the Gillman Barracks, I met the most iconic block in the whole of Gilman Barracks which was Block 9.
It was a beautiful building and inside the building, there was different exhibitions going on. They were international artists’ works and it was beautiful displayed. There were other blocks having exhibitions and each block was unique from one another so it does have create a good experience journey.
Overall, Gillman Barracks is a place to entice youngsters with the bars and restaurant they have there. It is a beautiful and relax place for a Sunday. However, the concept of Gillman Barracks is different from Emily Hill.
Gillman Barracks was a gallery place where I get to enjoy myself by viewing works or even have the opportunity to purchase local artist or international artist’s works. It invites locals to have a chance to purchase items back. However in Emily Hill, it is a place where a visitor get to understand more about the artist through interacting with the artists and their work practice. The target audience is different as the objective is allow art lovers who wants to learn and understand and learn the art behind the art. Emily Hill is a home for the artist to practice or do their work whereas Gillman Barracks is for artists to display their works.
Therefore, this two art scenes are different places with different objectives and target audience in mind.
View Locale l : Interview with the People on Emily Hill here.
View Locale 1 : Tour around Emily Hill here
View Locale 1 : History of Emily Hill here
View Locale 1 : The one and only Emily Hill here