The New Forest is a four-week online masterclass inviting photographers, artists, researchers and individuals interested to embark on long-term projects that re-examines humankind’s relationship with nature, alongside the Artist and Founder of the Institute of Critical Zoologist (ICZ), Robert Zhao Renhui.

In this masterclass, participants will be guided along to explore and develop a personal project that reimagines ecology and its possibilities through facilitated discussions and critical dialogue. In concert with Robert Zhao, the sessions will cultivate thoughtful exchanges on the intersection of nature and culture, fostering new creative insights and ecological visions.

The masterclass will be situated online, beginning with an introductory session, followed by four group critique sessions. During these, we will brainstorm and refine your project ideas, working towards honing and developing a visually coherent approach to your practice. You will be required to produce new work before each session, which will serve as the foundation for receiving collective critical feedback.

Initiated in 2020, The New Forest is a 5-year collaboration between ICZ and SIPF, in which the works of all participants will culminate into a final exhibition or a publication in 2028. The New Forest will have a dedicated page on the SIPF’s digital environment, holding an archive of all proceedings and works generated from this masterclass and through the editions.

Image Credits: New Forest 3 (2024) by Robert Zhao Renhui. Image courtesy of ShanghART Gallery and the Artist.

Who is it for?

• For visual artists, photographers, researchers and individuals interested in ecology, human-nature relationships, entanglements between history and science, and expressing these themes through lens-based media (e.g. Photography, Video, etc.)

• Prospective participants should come prepared with a topic or an area of interest they wish to explore during the Masterclass — this could be an ongoing project or a completely new project that they wish to explore or embark on.

• Ideal for individuals seeking to embark on long-term projects, with potential areas of focus including the discovery of narratives involving human and non-human species in our daily environments, and their entanglements with history, science, and society

Brief Workshop Content

• Facilitated discussion of Participants’ practice, past & present work, areas of research & interest

• Starting a cohesive body of work or developing a current body of work

• Collective feedback & critical dialogue between participants and Robert Zhao

• Presentation of participants’ work on SIPF’s digital platform, culminating into a final format in 2028

Workshop Information

• No of Participants: Limited up to 12 participants

• Delivery Method: Online

• Learning Hours: 13 hours

• Teaching Staff: A professional artist-instructor, supported by a teaching assistant & logistic staff to facilitate workshop requirements

• Language: Workshop will be held in English

Additional Information

• Any request to refund or cancel your ticket has to be made strictly through our ticketing platform.

• All ticket sales are final. If you have already registered for our workshops and are unable to attend it, our cancellation policy is as follows:

  • 11 days or more before the start date: 70% refund on Full Ticket value (minus 30% administrative charge)

  • 10 days or less before the start date: No Refund

The Anton Gautama Professional Development Scholarship

• Applicants of South-East Asian descent are welcomed to apply for the scholarship to subsidise the cost of the programme fee directly related to Portfolio Review and selected Professional Development Programmes (i.e. Masterclasses & Seminars). Applicants at any stage of their professional development are welcome to apply. You do not need to be a full-time practicing photographer or artist to be eligible for this award.

• For more information and to apply for the Anton Gautama Professional Development Scholarship, please kindly head to: sipf.sg/agpds24

Support

• If you have any questions about this programme, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Programmes team at programmes@sipf.sg