Ruben Pang’s work emerges from a deeply personal and layered background.
Born and raised in Singapore, Ruben was strongly influenced by his father, a former military officer trained by Israeli intelligence. Their close relationship, along with the unique geopolitical parallels between Singapore and Israel as small nations surrounded by larger powers, has informed his perspective.
Pang was initially brought up as a Christian, but his father later embraced spirituality, becoming a healer and exorcist a path that left a profound imprint on Ruben. This influence is evident in his artistic focus: he does not paint literal portraits, but rather captures energies, spirits, apparitions, and dreams, exploring the intangible and metaphysical dimensions of human experience.
During his residency, a curatorial framework was developed that encouraged Ruben to explore biblical narratives. He began by reimagining stories from the New Testament, including his own interpretation of The Last Supper, translating these canonical scenes into his distinctive language of energy and presence. Over time, his focus expanded to include scenes from the Old Testament, resulting in a powerful body of work that bridges spiritual history and contemporary imagination.