SINGAPORE -
Media OutReach Newswire - 21 October 2025 -
Dentalis,
a distinctive art-integrated clinic in Tanjong Pagar, has launched an
art-led healthcare sanctuary in partnership with Fiidaa Art. The
tri-level heritage shophouse on Craig Rd features rotating contemporary
art exhibitions, a curated library, and spa-like sensorial design,
advancing a holistic approach to care—a fusion of art, culture, and
wellness. This creates a cultural destination where every detail
reflects an appreciation for design, and where original works are made
accessible to emerging collectors. Outside, a 1.2-metre sculptural molar
installation named "Molartopia" signals the clinic's unconventional
approach to environment design.
This approach—a fusion of art, culture, and wellness—is central to
Dentalis. Each visit becomes an encounter with beauty: art on the walls
tells a story, the
Assouline Travel Library inspires curiosity, and every
detail—from scent to sound—reflects an appreciation for detail and the
elegance of contemporary design.
Why Now: When Environment Meets Cultural Intervention
In a city where the wellness economy is growing at a robust annual rate of 7.79%^
1, and local estimates show dental anxiety affects nearly 1 in 5 adults^
2,
the launch addresses a significant gap in the patient environment.
Research confirms that dental anxiety is a complex, multifactorial issue
that significantly impacts a patient's ability to receive necessary
care^
3, often leading to avoidance behavior that results in
severe, long-term health complications such as undiagnosed conditions
that manifest as chronic pain^
5. Additionally, peer-reviewed
literature supports the principle that the non-clinical dental
environment itself—including elements like design, scent, and music—can
influence patient anxiety levels^
4. By prioritising
environmental design and integrating a dynamic art gallery, Dentalis
offers an approach that aims to transform apprehension into ease.
"Beauty lies in craftsmanship—and well-being in experience. Dentalis
is more than a clinic; it is a cultural destination where a focus on
exceptional care environment is offered amidst art, architecture, and
tranquility." — Dr. Jonathan Liu, Founder of Dentalis
Featured artists include
Max Kong, whose meditative, geometric compositions evoke calm and order, and
Georgina Gray, whose playful, colourful scenes bring joy and
warmth. Together, they transform each visit to Dentalis into an
immersive, restorative, and culturally enriching experience.
Design-Led Care Meets Cultural Accessibility
Dentalis's art-integrated approach intentionally expands art access beyond traditional barriers.
"For most people, galleries might seem intimidating" notes
Sangeeta Tibrewala, Founder of Fiidaa Art. "By placing
contemporary works in everyday spaces like dental clinics, we're
normalising art as part of daily life, not a special occasion. This is
how Singapore can truly become a cultural city through culture embedded
in the everyday."
With these original artworks priced from $500 onwards, pieces are
positioned as accessible entry points for emerging
collectors—representing a meaningful, permanent investment in personal
space that holds lasting cultural value.
We are changing the very definition of a healthcare space," explains
Jennifer Choi, Marketing Director of Dentalis. "This is about
inviting the 'almost collector' to encounter original art in a
therapeutic context. Dentalis transforms that relationship—not through
selling, but through simple proximity. The walk becomes a gallery
stroll. The wait becomes contemplation. Clinical becomes cultural."
Molartopia: Where Art Meets Anatomy
Before visitors even step inside, they're greeted by
Molartopia—a 1.2-metre sculptural molar installation at
Dentalis's entrance. Part public art, part anatomical homage, the
oversized tooth was designed to be Tanjong Pagar's most unexpected photo
opportunity.
"We wanted to signal from the doorway: this isn't your typical
clinic," explains Dr. Liu. "Molartopia is cheeky, confident, and
completely unapologetic about celebrating dentistry as both science and
spectacle."
The installation transforms the threshold: what could be clinical
apprehension becomes curiosity, then a photo, then a smile. Molartopia
doesn't just mark the entrance—it reframes the entire visit before it
begins.
A Living Gallery: Art in Motion
Unlike traditional galleries or static clinic decoration, Dentalis
operates as a rotating cultural platform. Every three months, Fiidaa Art
curates a new collection, ensuring repeat visitors experience fresh
perspectives while allowing emerging artists regular exhibition
opportunities. This model transforms Dentalis from a gallery into a
dynamic cultural engine—one where dentistry and art aren't fixed
experiences, but evolving conversations.
The First Exhibition: The Spaces Between @ Dentalis
Running through to
9 January 2026,
The Spaces Between @ Dentalis showcases works by two
Singapore-based artists, Max Kong and Georgina Gray, exploring the
beauty found in contrasts—between order and play, structure and
imagination, calm and colour.
Kong's rhythmic abstractions draw attention to the negative spaces
within and around his forms, while Gray's vibrant, whimsical worlds fill
those in-betweens with wonder and life. Together, their works bridge
precision and playfulness, offering visitors a space of comfort,
curiosity, and contemplation.
Featured Artists
Max Kong
Max Kong's concentric square series introduces balance and
stillness to the reception area—the first impression that signals
Dentalis is a different kind of clinic. His clean, meditative geometry
mirrors Dentalis's philosophy of calm and contemporary design.
Artist's Perspective:
Max's geometric works at Dentalis are designed not as decoration
but as visual anchors that foster a sense of calm and emotional safety.
Through repetition, balance, and the quiet presence of negative space,
his compositions invite stillness — easing the nervous system even
before a patient's appointment begins. For Max, Art in a dental clinic
isn't a luxury; it's an intentional element of the care environment.
About the Artist:
Born in Singapore in 1974, Max Kong holds a Masters of Fine Arts
from LASALLE College of the Arts and a Fine Arts degree from RMIT
University, Australia. His abstract practice explores unconventional
tools and the materiality of paint, resulting in layered surfaces that
challenge traditional methods.
A Platinum Award recipient of the 28th UOB Painting of the Year, Max has
exhibited across Singapore, Korea, Japan, Thailand, China, and New
York. His works are held in collections including the Singapore Art
Museum, United Overseas Bank, and the National University of Singapore.
Georgina Gray
Georgina Gray's vibrant, whimsical works bring warmth and joy to
Dentalis's art space. Her tropical scenes, playful black cats, and
dreamlike palettes invite visitors to pause, smile, and reconnect with
imagination.
Artist's Perspective:
"I paint these joyful little worlds to remind us that life's not all
serious business. If my orang utan on a swing or playful black cat made
you feel a bit calmer as you headed for your dental treatment, that's
exactly why they're there," explains Georgina Gray.
About the Artist:
Georgina is a contemporary artist of British-Chinese descent,
currently based in Singapore. Her professional background in graphic
design and advertising led her to a career in advertising as a writer
before becoming a full-time artist. Her work is a celebration of
wanderlust and nature, and often features quirky animals and abstract
landscapes in a riot of colours. Working primarily with acrylics on
canvas, her paintings evoke a sense of fun and adventure, and provide a
little lighthearted escapism from everyday life.
A Space for Culture and Collaboration
The third floor at Dentalis features a bar-inspired lounge designed for
media previews, trainings, private events, and brand activations. This
versatile area complements the art gallery's atmosphere, extending the
Dentalis philosophy into a dynamic cultural hub for wellness,
creativity, and community.
Behind the clinic, a flexible pop-up space invites unexpected
collaborations—from specialty coffee concepts to experimental design
showcases—with announcements forthcoming.
Interested collaborators and event partners — including brands,
curators, or creators seeking a unique venue — are invited to reach out
regarding
third-floor private event bookings or
first-floor pop-up activations.
"We're in conversations with makers and creators who share our
philosophy: that beauty and function aren't opposites," says Dr. Liu.
"The space will evolve. The art will rotate. This is a cultural
organism, not a monument."
The Spaces Between @ Dentalis Exhibition
52 Craig Rd, Singapore 089690
10 October 2025 - 9 January 2026
Free admission | Mon - Fri 9am - 6pm, Sat 9am - 1pm
Media Assets & Further Information:
https://www.dentalis.clinic/post/the-spaces-between-dentalis
https://fiidaaart.com/collections/the-spaces-between
Notes on Statistics
1.
Wellness Economy Growth (7.79%): Global Wellness Institute (GWI), Global Wellness Economy: Singapore Report.
2.
Local Dental Anxiety (1 in 5 adults): National Dental Centre Singapore (NDCS), Why are some people terrified of going to the dentist'
3.
Anxiety Problem Statement: Etiology of Dental Anxiety and Dental Phobia: Review. PubMed: 40403774.
4.
Environmental Influence (The Solution Rationale): The Influence of the Dental Office Environment on Reducing Anxiety—A Pilot Study. Medicina (Kaunas), 60(8), 1303.
5.
Avoidance Consequences (Case Study): National Dental Centre Singapore (NDCS), How a debilitating fear of dentists led to years of ear pain.