“The arts belong in our homes, schools, and public spaces, shaping the way we live and relate to one another.” — Andy Chia, co-founder and artistic director of SAtheCollective
Art can often be a perplexing medium to understand. Regarded as impractical, time-consuming, and unreasonably obtuse in an economy as productivity-focused as Singapore’s, art routinely finds itself far removed from the mainstream currents of everyday life. Still, there are a rare few who believe in its power and are willing to break down walls to share its transformative potential.
Andy Chia, co-founder and artistic director of the interdisciplinary arts house SAtheCollective, is one such individual. Since co-founding the collective in 2011, Chia and his team have embarked on numerous creative ventures that blend sound, ritual, technology, and heritage into works that challenge conventional modes of art-making. From immersive performances that merge ancient Chinese instruments with electronics to collaborative residencies that explore ecological and cultural identity, SAtheCollective’s work appears to tread the line between tradition and experiment, local and universal, as well as body and sound.
Now a father of three, Andy Chia—who is the first non-native Chinese to receive a Master of Arts in dizi performance from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music—believes that an artist’s best work can only emerge when they feel rooted and whole.
Please share a moment that inspired personal reflection.
The birth of my first child profoundly shifted my worldview. It deepened my understanding of responsibility and presence. It made me rethink what kind of world and legacy I would like for him to grow up in. It became clear to me that my path as an artist wasn’t just about performance, but about transformation, holding space, and building futures.
How has your definition of success evolved over time?
In my youth, success meant recognition and mastery. Now, it’s when someone tells me they felt seen or that something stirred within them through our work.
How do you deal with self-doubt and uncertainty?
I recall a line from a book I read in my teens by David Eddings: “Events are like horses. Sometimes they run away. After they’ve run for a while, though, they’ll start to walk again.” That image has stayed with me. I’ve learnt to wait, to listen, and to trust that clarity will return when the noise subsides.
What emerging technology do you believe will shape the future of your field?
Bioacoustics and vibrational therapeutics, particularly how sound interacts with the body at a cellular level. While often framed as an emerging science, these ideas have long existed in ancient texts and traditions. I believe this will shape how we think about performance, wellness, and immersive art.
If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be?
I hope to shift the prevailing perception that the arts are a luxury or an afterthought. Through ongoing dialogue and lived experience, I want to help reframe the arts as essential to our everyday lives for reflection, connection, and healing. The arts belong in our homes, schools, and public spaces, shaping the way we live and relate to one another.
What’s a lesson you learnt the hard way?
I learnt that seeking approval often comes at the expense of authenticity. For a long time, I hoped my work would be universally understood and accepted. But over time, I realised that not everyone needs to resonate with what I create.
Photography by Eugene Lee of Enfinite / Hair & Makeup by Sophia Soh of Suburbs Studio
