5 Albizias by Robert Zhao

The Albizia tree (Albizia moluccana), native to the Maluku Islands in Indonesia, has quietly spread itself through Singapore’s landscape, embodying both utility and resilience. Far from an accidental presence, Albizia moluccana had been intentionally introduced for its rapid growth and ability to thrive in the soils disturbed by external forces such as deforestation or urban development. According to “the Report of the Singapore Agri-horticultural Society for 1866,” Albizia was already well established by then, brought to Singapore long before 1866 as shade trees for coffee plantations, similar to their use in Java.

This book documents five Albizias: four from across Singapore and one from the Maluku Islands. They examine how human actions have shaped these spaces, exploring the blurred boundaries between native and non-native, natural and artificial, and demonstrate how Albizias, despite often being considered undesirable, perform a subtle but powerful role in rewilding disturbed spaces. By spotlighting these often-overlooked trees, the project redefines resilience and adaptability in Singapore’s ever-changing environment. Contains an essay by Haeju Kim and an opening section of archival photographs. Published in conjunction with an eponymous exhibition that travelled across four locations in Singapore where the Albizia trees were found and documented.

About Robert Zhao Renhui

Robert Zhao Renhui (b. 1983, Singapore) is an interdisciplinary artist who explores the complex and commingled relationships between nature and culture. Working across installation, photography, video and sculpture, Zhao is interested in the multifarious beings and objects that constitute the living world, and whose experiences and knowledge enrich our collective existence.

Zhao has held solo exhibitions, The Forest Institute (2022) at Gillman Barracks, Singapore and Monuments in the Forest at ShanghART Gallery (2023) in Shanghai. His latest work is a performance installation titled Albizia (2023), commissioned by Esplanade– Theatres on the Bay. He has also been featured in the 14th Gwangju Biennale (2023), 10th Busan Biennale (2020), 6th Singapore Biennale (2019), 9th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (2018), 11th Taipei Biennale (2018), 17th Jakarta Biennale (2017) and 20th Biennale of Sydney (2016).

In 2010, Zhao received the prestigious National Arts Council Young Artist Award, Singapore’s highest award for young arts practitioners aged 35 and below. He was also a finalist for the Hugo Boss Asia Art Award in 2017.