THE GALLERY GUIDE
J A N – M A R 2018
On cover: Juan Luna Espaùa y Filipinas (Spain and the Philippines) c. 1888–1893 Oil on canvas 249.3 x 79.5 cm Collection of Lopez Museum and Library
Copyright in the content in this brochure may also reside in persons and entities other than, and in addition to the Gallery. The Gallery seeks to share our artworks with as many people as we can. We are fully committed to respecting the intellectual property rights of others and always use our best efforts to obtain permission for artwork images used. Please contact us should you have any queries about this. Unless otherwise mentioned, all artwork images have been provided through the courtesy of National Heritage Board and artworks featured are National Gallery Singapore collection. The Gallery Guide is published by National Gallery Singapore. All rights reserved. Materials in this publication may not be reproduced in part or in whole without written consent of the Gallery. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information within this brochure. However, changes are sometimes unavoidable and the Gallery reserves the right to make modifications to the programmes and ticketing policy without prior notice. Please visit www.nationalgallery. sg for the most updated information. The views and opinions expressed by speakers, facilitators and docents at the workshops and tours do not necessarily represent the position of the Gallery. Published in Dec 2017. All information is correct at time of print.
CO NTE NT S
JAN–MAR 2018
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2
About the Gallery
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Director’s Message
4
Art We Love
6
Highlights Calendar
Exhibitions 8
Long-Term Exhibitions
12 Special Exhibitions
Tours 18 Free Guided Tours 18 Gallery Explorer Audio Tours
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19 Special Tours 19 Group Tours
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Special Events
22 Performances
Adult Learning
24 Talks and Panels 27 Resource Centre
Kids & Schools
28 Keppel Centre for Art Education 30 Kids’ Programmes
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32
Shopping & Dining
36 Gallery Publications
Visit Us
38 Ticketing Information 39 General Information
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Support the Gallery
ABOUT THE
GALLERY U N V E I LI N G M O D E R N S I N G A P O R E A N D SOU TH E A S T A S I A N A R T National Gallery Singapore is a visual arts institution which oversees the largest public collection of modern art of Singapore and Southeast Asia. Situated in the heart of the Civic District, the Gallery is housed in two national monuments— City Hall and former Supreme Court—that have been beautifully restored and transformed into this exciting venue. Reflecting Singapore’s unique heritage and geographical location, the Gallery features Singapore and Southeast Asian art from Singapore’s National Collection in its long-term and special exhibitions. The Gallery also works with international museums to jointly present Southeast Asian art in the global context, positioning Singapore as a regional and international hub for the visual arts.
BOARD MEMBERS Hsieh Fu Hua (Chairman) Jose Isidro N. (Lito) Camacho Chang Hwee Nee Chew Choon Seng Chong Siak Ching Jennie Chua Rosa Daniel Shareen Khattar Kwee Liong Seen Dr Kenson Kwok Professor Dr Apinan Poshyananda Dr Suriani Suratman Wee Sin Tho
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DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
Dear friends, We capped off 2017 with an exciting milestone in November: hosting the Annual Conference for the International Committee for Museums and Collections of Modern Art (CIMAM) for the first time in Southeast Asia. More than 260 delegates from over 50 countries came together to discuss the increasingly pertinent role of museums in society today. The conversations shared reinforced the importance of art museums as effective forums in society where different communities and peoples of all backgrounds and beliefs can share, discuss and debate different views and perspectives. An apt starting point for the year, visitors can look forward to works by leading Southeast Asian artists that are richly informed by their own history and experience of the region. In January, Rirkrit Tiravanija will present the second Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Commission, while artists Ho Tzu Nyen, David Medalla and Pinaree Sanpitak unveil installations created especially for our Light to Night Festival. The festival is part of Singapore Art Week, a 12-day extravaganza of visual art featuring close to 30 local artists. We believe in reaching out to visitors at home as well as globally. In February, Pago Pago: Latiff Mohidin (1960–1969) opens at the Centre Pompidou Paris. This show, co-curated by National Gallery Singapore and Centre Pompidou Paris, gives audiences in Europe the rare opportunity to view seminal works by one of Southeast Asia’s most significant modernists, broadening their perspective on art from the region. We look forward to continually sharing the richness of Singapore and Southeast Asian art with you and the rest of the world.
Eugene Tan Director, National Gallery Singapore
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ART WE LOVE
Juan Luna. Cleopatra. 1881. Oil on canvas. 250 x 340 cm. Collection of Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid, Spain. ©Museo Nacional del Prado
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DID YOU KNOW? This work dramatises the death of the Egyptian queen, a popular subject in European painting. It won Juan Luna his first major prize in Europe—a Second Class medal at Spain’s 1881 national exhibition. On display at Singtel Special Exhibition Gallery C.
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HIGHLIGHTS CALENDAR JANUARY
1 MON
SPECIAL EVENT (p. 21) New Year's Day
6 SAT
13 SAT
TALK (p. 24) Why Impressionism (Still) Matters
TALK (p. 25) Juan Luna: A Brush with History
By Dr Kevin Chua (Associate Professor of 18th and 19th-century European and Southeast Asian Art, Texas Tech University)
Followed by a screening of the film Bayaning 3rd World | 3rd World Hero by Mike de Leon
19–28 THU–SUN
SPECIAL EVENT (p. 20) Light to Night Festival 2018: Colour Sensations
By Ambeth R. Ocampo
20 SAT PANEL (p. 24) Curatorial Dialogue: The Worlds of Raden Saleh and Juan Luna By Between Worlds' curators Russell Storer, Clarissa Chikiamco and Syed Muhammad Hafiz
21 SUN ARTIST TALK (p. 24) Lee Mingwei: The Act of Gift Giving, the Artist and the Audience By Lee Mingwei and Russell Storer (Deputy Director, Curatorial & Collections, National Gallery Singapore)
FEBRUARY
4 SUN
PERFORMANCE (p. 23) Sunday Tea Ceremonies
9 FRI
SPECIAL TOUR (p. 19) Between Worlds: Raden Saleh and Juan Luna By Between Worlds' curators Clarissa Chikiamco and Syed Muhammad Hafiz
10 SAT TALK (p. 26) Raden Saleh’s World(s) By Mikke Susanto (Curatorial Consultant, Presidential Palace, Indonesia) 6
16–17
FRI–SAT
SPECIAL EVENT (p. 21) Chinese New Year
24 WED SPECIAL EXHIBITION OPENS (p. 16) Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Commission: Rirkrit Tiravanija untitled 2018 (the infinite dimensions of smallness)
27–28 SAT–SUN PERFORMANCE (p. 22) Tea Gathering by Mai Ueda
27 SAT TALK (p. 26) Raden Saleh and Juan Luna: Artist, Identity and Colony By Professor Emeritus John Clark (Art History, The University of Sydney)
28 SUN ARTIST TALK (p. 26) Ho Tzu Nyen: Through the Eye of the Tiger Rirkrit Tiravanija. Untitled (running out of time). 2013. Featuring performance by Mai Ueda. Photo courtesy of MONA Museum of Old and New Art, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia/Rémi Chauvin.
By Ho Tzu Nyen and Shabbir Hussain Mustafa (Senior Curator, National Gallery Singapore)
MARCH
3–4 SAT–SUN
PERFORMANCE (p. 23) Between Worlds Dance Performance
9 FRI
10 SAT
SPECIAL TOUR (p. 19) French Connection: Southeast Asian Artists In Paris, 1880s–1960s
SPECIAL TOUR (p. 19) BuySingLit EFW II: Writings about History and Architecture
By Russell Storer (Deputy Director, Curatorial & Collections, National Gallery Singapore), Lisa Horikawa (Senior Curator, National Gallery Singapore) and Phoebe Scott (Curator, National Gallery Singapore).
TALK (p. 26) A Walk in Chromatic Fields By Tan Guo-Liang SPECIAL EVENT (p. 21) Love @ the Gallery
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LONG–TERM EXHIBITIONS SIAPA NAMA KAMU? Art in Singapore since the 19th Century Ongoing | City Hall Wing, Level 2, DBS Singapore Gallery
Lim Cheng Hoe Kampong Hut 1973 Watercolour on paper 40 x 52.5 cm On display at DBS Singapore Gallery 2.
“Siapa Nama Kamu?” means “What is your name?” The inaugural exhibition of the DBS Singapore Gallery poses this question, inviting visitors to consider how art may relate to issues of self and community, and what it means to look at Singapore through its art. Siapa Nama Kamu? weaves together a rich and captivating narrative of artworks in a broadly chronological sequence, covering Singapore’s art history from the 19th century to the present day. Drawing on close to 400 works, it explores the influences and practices that have shaped and transformed Singapore art. Liu Kang Gallery Located within the DBS Singapore Gallery, this space commemorates pioneer artist Liu Kang’s role in the development of modern art in Singapore. In 2003, Liu Kang (1911–2004) and his wife Chen Jen Pin (1913–2009) generously donated close to 1,000 paintings and works on paper to the National Collection, forming the largest donation of a single artist’s work to the Collection to date. The DBS Singapore Gallery is made possible through a gift by DBS Bank.
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Exhibitions
BETWEEN DECLARATIONS & DREAMS: Art of Southeast Asia since the 19th Century Ongoing | Supreme Court Wing, Levels 3–5, UOB Southeast Asia Gallery Housed in the former Supreme Court building, the UOB Southeast Asia Gallery presents an exhibition on the art of Southeast Asia through shared artistic impulses across the region. Starting in the 19th century, the history of Southeast Asian art is characterised by a continuous encounter with the new, and is inseparably linked to the region’s tumultuous social and political history. The meaning and expression of art was constantly negotiated as artists of Southeast Asia sought to incorporate and reinvent local expressions and aesthetic traditions as they grappled with modernity. The UOB Southeast Asia Gallery is made possible through a gift by United Overseas Bank.
Abdullah Suriosubroto An Indonesian Village at Sunset Undated Oil on canvas 45 x 65 cm On display at UOB Southeast Asia Gallery 3.
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LONG–TERM EXHIBITIONS
LISTENING TO ARCHITECTURE: THE GALLERY’S HISTORIES AND TRANSFORMATIONS Ongoing | City Hall Wing, Level 4, ArchiGallery The architecture of the City Hall and former Supreme Court buildings may be imagined as an ongoing conversation between different generations across time. The inaugural exhibition at the ArchiGallery offers insights into the enduring histories and architectural designs of the two national monuments and their dramatic transformations into a home for Southeast Asian art. It also features never-before-seen artefacts excavated from the Gallery’s grounds, and a commissioned sonic artwork by artist Zai Tang that draws on the historical, social and spatial memories created in the buildings.
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UNREALISED Ongoing | Accessible only via the Gallery Explorer App unrealised is a virtual experience, developed in dialogue with three artists—Heman Chong, Ho Tzu Nyen and Erika Tan. It tests the potentials of the digital image within the physical spaces of the Gallery’s long-term displays. To access unrealised, please borrow a Samsung tablet from Visitor Services at Level B1 or download the Gallery Explorer app at the App Store and Google Play store. Made possible with the support of the Gallery’s Innovation Partner Accenture.
Erika Tan's Apa Jika, The Mis-placed Comma.
For more information, please visit www.nationalgallery.sg/unrealised. SCAN TO DOWNLOAD APP
Please note earphones are required to experience unrealised.
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SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS Lead Sponsor
Century of Light features two exciting exhibitions on art from the 19th century, a postEnlightenment era of innovation and change. Together, they demonstrate the range of painting styles and art movements that emerged in Europe during this formative period, which has been and continues to be influential to the development of art in Southeast Asia and around the world.
BETWEEN WORLDS: RADEN SALEH AND JUAN LUNA 16 Nov 2017–11 Mar 2018 | City Hall Wing, Level 3, Singtel Special Exhibition Gallery C Between Worlds features the works of Indonesian artist Raden Saleh (c.1811–1880) and Philippine artist Juan Luna (1857–1899), two leading painters from Southeast Asia who achieved wide acclaim in Europe. This is the first major survey that brings their works together, drawing from important collections around the world. The exhibition explores how Raden Saleh and Juan Luna developed their work living between two diverse cultures and societies; and how the European experiences of these extraordinary artists have shaped the art history of this region.
(Top) Raden Saleh. Horse Attacked by Lion. 1842. Oil on board. 24.5 x 32.5 cm. Collection of Maria Lim. (Bottom) Juan Luna. Woman with Manton. c. 1889. Oil on canvas. 112.5 x 77 cm. Gift of Mercedes Zobel McMicking. Collection of Ayala Museum.
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COLOURS OF IMPRESSIONISM: MASTERPIECES FROM THE MUSÉE D’ORSAY
In collaboration with
16 Nov 2017–11 Mar 2018 | City Hall Wing, Level 3, Singtel Special Exhibition Gallery A & B Colours of Impressionism tells the story of Impressionism through the colours that painters used at different stages in their careers. From the deep blacks of Manet's Spanish-influenced paintings, to the green and blue landscapes that Cézanne and Monet painted outdoors, to the soft pinks of Renoir's classical female figures, the exhibition traces the importance of colour to the Impressionists' radical reshaping of painting in the 19th century. The exhibition features over 60 masterpieces from the renowned collection of the Musée d’Orsay, Paris, including key works by Monet, Renoir, Manet, Pissarro and Cézanne.
Claude Monet. Champs de tulipes en Hollande (Tulip Field in Holland). 1886. Oil on canvas. 65.5 x 81.5 cm. Bequest of Princess Edmond de Polignac née Winnaretta Singer, 1947. Collection of Musée d’Orsay, Paris. RF 1944 19. Photo © RMN-Grand Palais (Musée d’Orsay)/ Franck Raux.
FOR KIDS
Pick up a Family Activity Guide to go on a hunt for artworks, create your own colourful landscape at the Education Station or visit the Learning Stations to find out more about the artists and their travels. 13
SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS WU GUANZHONG: A WALK THROUGH NATURE 吴冠中：风景哪边好
Until 22 Apr 2018 | City Hall Wing, Level 4, Wu Guanzhong Gallery Wu Guanzhong travelled widely across China in his lifetime, covering numerous cities and drawing inspiration from the rivers, mountains and towns that he encountered. This exhibition explores 16 works which Wu painted of China from the 1960s until the 2000s. Join Wu on his search for beauty—not only in the landscape, but also within the painted forms in his work. This is the first in a series of exhibitions at the Wu Guanzhong Gallery. On an annual rotation basis, this dedicated space showcases works donated by Wu and his family, within the wider context of ink aesthetics and art history. The most valuable donation ever made to a Singapore museum to date, this is the largest holding of his work in a public museum in the world.
Wu Guanzhong. A Former Homestead. 1997. Oil on canvas. 60 x 100 cm. Gift of the artist and his family.
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REDISCOVERING TREASURES: INK ART FROM THE XIU HAI LOU COLLECTION 袖中有东海：袖海楼水墨藏珍
Until 22 Apr 2018 | City Hall Wing, Level 4, Wu Guanzhong Gallery The Xiu Hai Lou Collection is the largest and most established private collection of Chinese painting and calligraphy in Singapore today. Founded by the late Yeo Khee Lim, it encompasses a rich variety of styles and genres, including works from different regional schools and esteemed masters. Drawing on close to 100 works from the Collection, this exhibition offers visitors a rare insight into the evolution of modern Chinese painting from tradition to modernity.
Dong Qichang. Calligraphy. 1618. Fan leaf, Chinese ink on paper. 17 x 54 cm. Xiu Hai Lou Collection.
STROKES OF LIFE: THE ART OF CHEN CHONG SWEE 生机出笔端：陈宗瑞艺术特展
Until 20 May 2018 | City Hall Wing, Level 4 Gallery Chen Chong Swee was an important early Singapore artist and educator who contributed significantly to the development of the Singapore and Malaya art scenes. He was amongst the first artists in Singapore to incorporate local subjects in his works, depicting Malay village scenes in his ink paintings from as early as the 1930s.
Chen Chong Swee. Joo Chiat Jetty. 1954. Watercolour on paper. 35 x 45 cm. Collection of Mr and Mrs Chen Chi Sing.
This show features key works from his six-decade-long career. It highlights his proficiency in both Chinese and Western art traditions as well as his exploration and experimentation with Chinese painting techniques.
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SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS NG TENG FONG ROOF GARDEN COMMISSION: RIRKRIT TIRAVANIJA 24 Jan–28 Oct | City Hall Wing, Level 5, Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Gallery | Free Critically-acclaimed artist Rirkrit Tiravanija presents untitled 2018 (the infinite dimensions of smallness), the second showcase of the Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Commission series. The site-specific installation features a large-scale bamboo maze with a Japanese tea house at its centre. Drawing on regional materials, architecture Rirkrit Tiravanija. Untitled (running out of time). 2013. Featuring performance by Mai Ueda. Photo courtesy of MONA Museum of and traditions, it embraces Old and New Art, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia/Rémi Chauvin. Tiravanija’s interest in crossdisciplinary and collaborative art practice. Within the space, visitors are invited to encounter each other, and participate in interactive programmes including tea ceremonies by local and international tea masters. Rirkrit Tiravanija (b. 1961, Buenos Aires, Argentina) lives and works in New York, Berlin, and Chiang Mai. Since the early 1990s, he has held solo exhibitions in international venues including Los Angeles County Museum (1999), Guggenheim Museum, New York (2005), Fridericianum, Kassel (2009), Centre Pompidou, Paris (2012), Garage Museum of Contemporary Art, Moscow (2015), and Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam (2016). He was awarded the Hugo Boss Prize in 2004. The Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Gallery is made possible through a gift by Far East Organization. Series Sponsor
FOR KIDS
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Look out for the roving Gallery Cart from Feb to Apr 2018. Stop by and create your own origami paper craft inspired by the commission. For more programmes, please see p. 23.
LAW OF THE LAND: HIGHLIGHTS OF SINGAPORE’S CONSTITUTIONAL DOCUMENTS Ongoing | Supreme Court Wing, Level 3, Chief Justice's Chamber & Office
Organised by the National Archives of Singapore (NAS) and the National Library Board (NLB), this exhibition explores the history of Singapore’s constitutional development from a British settlement in 1819 to its emergence as a sovereign republic in 1965. It presents a selection of 23 rare documents from the NAS and NLB's collections, each capturing a key moment in Singapore's legal history and journey to independence.
Organised by
Third Charter of Justice, 1855 This document affirmed the reception of English law in Singapore and provided the settlement with its own professional judge (then known as a Recorder).
Supported by
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GALLERY TOURS FREE GUIDED TOURS Explore the rich history of our buildings and collections by joining one of our guided tours led by trained docents. To reserve a slot, please register at least 20 minutes before the tour starts at the Daily Tours Desk on Level B1 (for opening hours, see p. 39). 20 slots are available per tour on a first come, first served basis. Visitors should obtain or purchase an admission ticket before joining a tour. Please note there will be no Mandarin tours during Chinese New Year from 15–17 Feb 2018.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GALLERY
LAW OF THE LAND HIGHLIGHTS
English Sat–Sun 5pm Japanese Sat 27 Jan, 24 Feb, 31 Mar 1.30–2.30pm
English Sat 6 Jan, 20 Jan, 3 Feb, 3 Mar, 17 Mar 4.30pm
BUILDINGS HIGHLIGHTS English daily 11am & Sat–Sun 3pm Mandarin Fri–Sun 11.30am
(Until 11 Mar) English daily 2.30pm & Sat–Sun 4pm Mandarin Fri–Sun 4.30pm
DBS SINGAPORE GALLERY HIGHLIGHTS
Japanese tours are also available for Colours of Impressionism on Sat 27 Jan & 24 Feb, 11.30am–12.30pm.
English daily 1pm Mandarin Fri–Sun 12.30–1.30pm
UOB SOUTHEAST ASIA GALLERY HIGHLIGHTS English daily 3.30pm Mandarin Fri–Sun 4pm
HIGHLIGHTS OF CENTURY OF LIGHT
HIGHLIGHTS OF INK FLOWS THROUGH (Until 22 Apr) English Fri–Sun 5.30pm Mandarin Sat–Sun 5pm
GALLERY EXPLORER AUDIO TOURS Download our free Gallery Explorer app to enjoy short audio tours on Century of Light, Chen Chong Swee and the Xiu Hai Lou Collection. The Explorer also features tours of the Gallery’s building history and key works in the long-term exhibitions. Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 devices are available for loan from Visitor Services at Level B1.
Innovation Partner
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SPECIAL TOURS Tours
Tickets available through the Gallery and SISTIC websites and ticketing counters.
BETWEEN WORLDS: RADEN SALEH AND JUAN LUNA Fri 9 Feb | 7–8.15pm | $25 Jointly led by Clarissa Chikiamco (Curator, National Gallery Singapore) and Syed Muhammad Hafiz (Assistant Curator, National Gallery Singapore), this tour takes you through the curatorial narrative and key themes of the exhibition.
FRENCH CONNECTION: SOUTHEAST ASIAN ARTISTS IN PARIS, 1880s–1960s Fri 9 Mar | 7–8.15pm | $25 This tour begins with the work of early forerunners Raden Saleh and Juan Luna in Between Worlds, and continues in the permanent galleries to uncover other artists who spent time in Paris including Vu Cao Dam and Georgette Chen. Jointly led by Russell Storer (Deputy Director, Curatorial & Collections, National Gallery Singapore), Lisa Horikawa (Senior Curator, National Gallery Singapore) and Phoebe Scott (Curator, National Gallery Singapore).
BUYSINGLIT EFW II: WRITINGS ABOUT HISTORY & ARCHITECTURE Sat 10 Mar | 2.30–4.30pm | Free (registration required via www.buysinglit.sg) Commissioned by the National Arts Council, the anthology Eye/Feel/Write: Building Architectonics features writings by 12 eminent Singapore authors, inspired by the former Supreme Court. In this tour, editor Desmond Kon Zhicheng-Mingdé leads participants through the historical space as six of the authors read their pieces and share their creative process. Featuring Aaron Lee, Clara Chow, Daryl W. J. Lim, Amanda Chong, Josephine Chia, Tse Hao Guang.
GROUP TOURS COMMUNITY GROUPS The Gallery offers guided tours for community groups at a concessionary rate. For more information, please email community@nationalgallery.sg.
CORPORATE OR OTHER PRIVATE GROUPS Please email groupenquiries@nationalgallery.sg for more information.
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SPECIAL EVENTS
Colour Sensations
CIVIC DISTRICT
LIGHT TO NIGHT FESTIVAL 2018: COLOUR SENSATIONS 19–28 Jan | Civic District | Free The Light to Night Festival is back with an even bigger line-up! In its second edition, the festival explores the sensation of colours through spectacular façade shows across major cultural institutions and parks in the Civic District. On the weekends, late night programmes around the precinct will bring the experience of colours alive. Five new commissions by renowned artists from the region—Ho Tzu Nyen, Lee Mingwei, David Medalla and Pinaree Sanpitak—and "ultratechnologists" teamLab will also be unveiled. Organised by
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Development Partner
Strategic Partner
NEW YEAR’S DAY Mon 1 Jan | 10am–7pm
Special Events
Celebrate New Year at the Gallery by taking part in a fun hands-on activity, or enjoying the exhibitions with your friends and family.
CHINESE NEW YEAR Fri 16 Feb 10am–9pm; Sat 17 Feb 10am–7pm Usher in the Year of the Dog by exploring the exhibitions or getting creative with your family through an art-making activity.
LOVE @ THE GALLERY Sat 10 Mar | 5.30–7.30pm | Supreme Court Wing, Level 3, UOB Southeast Asia Gallery | Free Writing about love is a challenge. How does one articulate such an intimate and inexpressible feeling? In Love @ the Gallery, art is the muse for poets writing in Singapore’s four official languages. Join the featured poets as they recite their pieces inspired by artworks in the Gallery’s collection, expanding on representations of love in Southeast Asia’s rich history and cultural heritage.
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SPECIAL EVENTS PERFORMANCES RESONATES WITH Sat and Sun | 2pm, 3pm, 4pm | Padang Atrium | Free This series features performances by musical ensembles and contemporary musicians. The monthly line-ups are inspired by the Gallery’s collection, exhibitions and architecture.
TEA GATHERING BY MAI UEDA Sat–Sun 27–28 Jan | 2–5pm | 30 min per session | City Hall Wing, Level 5, Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Gallery | Free Immerse yourself in the art and beauty of a tea ceremony with artist Mai Ueda. Ueda rediscovered her Japanese roots in 2012 through Zen and the tradition of tea ceremonies, which have since become central to her artistic practice. She makes use of these ceremonies to reflect on aspects of globalisation, and bring people together to share knowledge and awareness of the moment in a fresh, inventive and humorous way.
Rirkrit Tiravanija. Untitled (running out of time). 2013. Featuring performance by Mai Ueda. Photo courtesy of MONA Museum of Old and New Art, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia/Rémi Chauvin.
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SUNDAY TEA CEREMONIES Sun 4 Feb, 4 Mar | 2–6pm | City Hall Wing, Level 5, Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Gallery | Free Every first Sunday of the month, enjoy the unique experience of being part of Rirkrit Tiravanija's untitled 2018 (the infinite dimensions of smallness) by taking part in a tea ceremony held within the installation.
BETWEEN WORLDS DANCE PERFORMANCES Sat–Sun 24–25 Feb, 3–4 Mar | City Hall Wing, Level 3, Singtel Special Exhibition Gallery C | Free Inspired by the lives of Raden Saleh and Juan Luna as told through Between Worlds, two established Southeast Asian choreographers were commissioned to create original dance works to be performed inside the exhibition. In February, leading Indonesian dancer Eko Supriyanto, who was trained in Javanese court dance, responds to Raden Saleh. In March, Philippines-born Eisa Jocson, a contemporary performer and trained visual artist, responds to Juan Luna.
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ADULT LEARNING TALKS & PANELS WHY IMPRESSIONISM (STILL) MATTERS Sat 6 Jan | 3–4pm | Supreme Court Wing, Level 5, Glass Room | Free* Impressionism has long been known as an art movement that captured the pleasures and freedoms of a new modern world, but how is it relevant today? This lecture by Dr Kevin Chua (Associate Professor of 18th and 19th-century European and Southeast Asian Art, Texas Tech University) considers recent interpretations of Impressionism in relation to the city, Neo-Impressionism and Japonism, and how and why it matters for a newly globalised world. Claude Monet. La Cathédrale de Rouen. Le portail et la tour SaintRomain, plein soleil (Rouen Cathedral: The Portal and Saint-Romain Tower, Full Sunlight). 1893. Oil on canvas 107 x 73.5 cm. Bequest of Count Isaac de Camondo, 1911. Collection of Musée d’Orsay, Paris. RF 2002. Photo © RMN-Grand Palais (Musée d’Orsay)/Thierry Le Mage.
CURATORIAL DIALOGUE: THE WORLDS OF RADEN SALEH AND JUAN LUNA Sat 20 Jan | 3–4.30pm | City Hall Wing, Level B1, The Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium | Free* Why are Raden Saleh and Juan Luna still so important today? How did their success in Europe establish them as national heroes at home? How might their work be seen in a global narrative of art in the 19th century? Join Between Worlds’ curators—Russell Storer, Clarissa Chikiamco and Syed Muhammad Hafiz—as they address these questions and share insights into the making of the exhibition.
ARTIST TALK | LEE MINGWEI: THE ACT OF GIFT GIVING, THE ARTIST AND THE AUDIENCE Sun 21 Jan | 3–4pm | Supreme Court Wing, Level 5, Glass Room | Free* Taiwanese-born American artist Lee Mingwei is known for participatory installations that are open-ended scenarios for everyday interaction. His latest work Sonic Blossom, staged as part of Light to Night Festival, offers songs to visitors in the Gallery as a transformative gift. In conversation with Russell Storer (Deputy Director, Curatorial & Collections, National Gallery Singapore), Lee will discuss his experience of viewers doubling as participants, and how different levels of engagement change both the work and the audience’s relationship with the artist. * Registration required through our website, limited seats available for walk-ins. 24
JUAN LUNA: A BRUSH WITH HISTORY Sat 13 Jan | 2–5pm | City Hall Wing, Level B1, The Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium | Free* Recognised as the greatest Filipino painter of the 19th century, Juna Luna’s art was integral to shaping the narrative and imagery of the Philippines. Join historian Ambeth R. Ocampo as he explores Luna’s life and work in the context of fellow expatriates who came of age in Europe, and how they contributed to the birth of the Filipino nation. The talk will be followed by this film screening, with an introduction by Ocampo who is also the film’s historical consultant.
Bayaning 3rd World / 3rd World Hero By Mike de Leon Adult Learning
Philippines | Tagalog and English with English subtitles | 1999 | 93 min | Rating TBA
Juan Luna’s 1891 portrait of Philippine national hero and close friend, José Rizal, is featured in the exhibition Between Worlds. Who was the man behind the portrait? Acclaimed director Mike de Leon explores the myth of Rizal and his influence on modern Philippine society with a playful look at historical and personal accounts of his life. With support from Mike de Leon. Print source: Asian Film Archive
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ADULT LEARNING TALKS & PANELS RADEN SALEH AND JUAN LUNA: ARTIST, IDENTITY AND COLONY Sat 27 Jan | 3–4.30pm | City Hall Wing, Level B1, The Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium | Free* This lecture by Professor Emeritus John Clark (Art History, The University of Sydney) compares the different ways that Raden Saleh and Juan Luna approached creating art in a colonial context. It refers to two of their Salon paintings—The Arrest of Diponegoro and Spoliarium—and examines how each made nationalistic statements about colonial rule while adhering to European norms. It also touches on how their lives diverged, with Saleh becoming an aristocratic ironist and Luna becoming a national insurrectionist.
ARTIST TALK | HO TZU NYEN: THROUGH THE EYE OF THE TIGER Sun 28 Jan | 3–4.30pm | Supreme Court Wing, Level 5, Glass Room | Free* Commissioned for Light to Night Festival, Ho Tzu Nyen’s multimedia installation One or Several Tigers reflects on the myths and realities of colonial policy, identity politics and nation building in Singapore. It expands on his interest in reframing, retracing and retelling Singapore’s history through various modes of narration. In this talk with Shabbir Hussain Mustafa (Senior Curator, National Gallery Singapore), Ho will discuss his methods and techniques; his interest in the relationship between history, myth and reality; and the significance of tigers in his work.
RADEN SALEH’S WORLD(S) Sat 10 Feb | 2–3pm | City Hall Wing, Level B1, The Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium | Free* Straddling European and Javanese culture, Raden Saleh occupied a highly complex position and was seen as either a proto-nationalist or a European bourgeois. This talk by Mikke Susanto (Curatorial Consultant, Presidential Palace, Indonesia) explores his multi-faceted life and artistic legacy, while touching on key paintings in Between Worlds.
A WALK IN CHROMATIC FIELDS Sat 10 Mar | 5–6pm | City Hall Wing, Level 3, Singtel Special Exhibition Gallery A & B | Free* Discover selected artworks in Colours of Impressionism with Singapore artist Tan Guo-Liang. Guiding you through the exhibition, Tan will draw on meditations of colour by other artists and writers while reflecting on the use of colour in his own work.
* Registration required through our website, limited seats available for walk-ins. 26
RESOURCE CENTRE
Materials donated by Professor Masahiro Ushiroshoji to the Resource Centre.
Located on Level 4M of the Supreme Court Wing, the Resource Centre houses the Gallery’s collection of reference materials and historical archives of Singapore and Southeast Asian modern art. This rich public resource also provides a platform for the development of the Gallery’s curatorial research and academic projects.
OPENING HOURS Mon–Fri 10am–12.30pm, 2–5pm Eve of Public Holidays 10am–2pm Closed on Public Holidays While we accept walk-ins, making an appointment is recommended to access all our facilities. To make an appointment, please email resource.centre@nationalgallery.sg or call +65 66979180 at least one day before your visit.
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KEPPEL CENTRE FOR ART EDUCATION The newly revamped Keppel Centre is an exciting place where art inspires new ways of learning. Visitors can enjoy immersive spaces that encourage imagination, creativity and self-led exploration. The Keppel Centre also provides a lively line-up of programmes for youth, children and families all year round. Located on Level 1 of the City Hall Wing, the Keppel Centre is easily accessible to schools and families with young children. Admission is free. The Keppel Centre for Art Education is made possible through a gift by Keppel Corporation.
PROJECT GALLERY Hug soft sculptures, climb into giant rocks and observe a shimmering display of colours as you explore The Blue Who Swims All This Way by artist Betty Susiarjo.
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ART CORRIDOR Discover shapes and forms inspired by Han Sai Por’s sculpture Tetrahedron-tetrahedron Interpenetration.
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM WORKSHOP Explore basic print-making processes and create your own print inspired by artworks in our National Collection.
Kids & Schools
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM Take a peek into an artist's studio and learn how ceramics are created. Unleash your creativity by designing a clay creation at the interactive station.
ART PLAYSCAPE Visit Sandra Lee’s The Enchanted Tree House for the last time before it closes on 2 January! Art Playscape will be revamped and will re-open in March, inviting you to engage your senses and explore a city through play. 29
KIDS’ PROGRAMMES FAMILY WEEKENDS Enjoy a line-up of family programmes at the Keppel Centre for Art Education that use the Gallery’s collection as a springboard to introduce children to art. Designed in collaboration with artists and art practitioners, the programmes offer interactive experiences to awaken children’s natural curiosities and stretch their imagination to new levels. Please visit www.nationalgallery.sg/discover-learn/kids-families for more details.
3+ BOOK IN A NOOK
YEARS
First Sat | 3–3.45pm | Free (registration required)
Gather round and listen to fascinating stories of people, places, animals and objects being read in the permanent galleries.
4+ DROP-IN ACTIVITY
YEARS
Selected Sat and Sun | 10am–6pm | Free
Get creative as a family through art making or puzzle solving. Pick up an art kit and start crafting or explore the Gallery with a fun activity guide.
4+ STORIES IN ART
YEARS
Second Sat and Sun | 2.30–3.15pm, 3.30–4.15pm | Free (registration required)
Dive into a world of stories that make artworks come alive! Listen and imagine along with storytellers as you journey through a treasure trove of art in the galleries.
5+ ART EXPLORERS
YEARS
Second Sat and Sun | 1.30–2.15pm | Free (registration required)
Gain a new perspective on an artwork in the Gallery’s permanent collections through a docent-led tour. Learn more about the artist and the art-making process through close-looking and hands-on exploration.
7+ FAMILY ART WORKSHOPS
YEARS
Second Sat | 1.30–3pm | $20 per adult-child pair or $30 per adult-child trio | Tickets available through the Gallery and SISTIC websites and ticketing counters Get creative as a family in these fun, hands-on workshops! Pick up new skills for art making under the guidance of Gallery facilitators, then create your own masterpieces inspired by works in the Gallery.
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OTHER KIDS’ ACTIVITIES WHO’S IN THE WOODS City Hall Wing, Level 1 An interactive platform featuring a day-to-night forest-scape awaits the most curious visitor. Create your own hybrid animals using fantastical colours and patterns and discover how they interact with other animals in the woods. Receive a paper template via email to build your own animal at home.
SOCIAL TABLE City Hall Wing, Level 2 Explore over 170 artworks from the exhibition Siapa Nama Kamu? on the multi-touch Social Table. Send an artwork to someone across the table and kick-start a dialogue about art, explore artist connections or create a poster of your favourite artworks.
GALLERY CART Look out for the roving Gallery Cart! Stop by and participate in an interesting activity related to one of our special exhibitions. Then, get a ticket and explore the exhibition with your family.
SCHOOL & EDUCATORS’ PROGRAMMES For more information, please visit www.nationalgallery.sg/content/learn-schools.
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SHOPPING & DINING
City Hall Wing, Level 1 | Tel: 6385 6683 GalleryandCo galleryandco
MUSEUM STORE Sat–Thu 10am–7pm; Fri 10am–9pm This progressive retail concept presents a thoughtful medley of art and design products, accompanied by the Gallery’s exclusive brand of goods, to complete your museum experience. Drawing inspiration from Southeast Asian culture, the store showcases compelling designers, artists and makers from Singapore and abroad. For Century of Light, Gallery & Co. has curated a range of merchandise, from tote bags to lenticular postcards, inviting you to take home a piece of art.
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CAFETERIA Sun–Thu 10am–7pm; Fri–Sat 10am–9pm The Cafeteria features a mash-up of vibrant Asian influences with classic favourites, and dynamic collaborations with guest chefs inspired by the Gallery’s exhibitions. Don't miss a specially-crafted menu that draws on familiar flavours of the countries featured in Century of Light.
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city with a slew of happy hour promotions, tapas and breezy concoctions, accompanied by feel-good tunes. The bar also offers an array of handcrafted bottled cocktails that add a twist on the classics.
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Shopping & Dining
BAR Sat–Thu 10am–7pm; Fri 10am–9pm
SHOPPING & DINING AURA RESTAURANT City Hall Wing, Level 5 | Tel: 6866 1977 Daily noon–2.30pm, 6.30–10.30pm Aura Restaurant treats diners to classic Italian cuisine and a world-class contemporary dining experience. The menu is an extensive expression of Italian creativity, showcasing a variety of antipasti, pastas and wholesome mains.
AURA SKY LOUNGE City Hall Wing, Level 6 | Tel: 6866 1977 Daily 11.30am–1am Fronted by the spectacular skyline of the Marina Bay, Aura Sky Lounge is a stylish lounge and bar with a strong Mediterranean focus. It is the ultimate rooftop bar with happy hours in the evenings.
COURTYARD CAFÉ Supreme Court Wing, Level 1 | Tel: 6384 1874 Sat–Thu, Public Holiday 9.30am–7pm; Fri & Eves of Public Holiday 9.30am–8pm Specialising in Straits Asian food, Courtyard Café serves authentic and modern interpretations of local dishes alongside a selection of traditional kuehs, cakes, toasts and beverages.
COURTYARD LOUNGE Supreme Court Wing, Level 1 | Tel: 6384 1874 Mon–Sat 4–1 1pm Nestled in a cosy corner of the Gallery, Courtyard Lounge serves Asian-fusion tapas in a tranquil ambience with relaxing jazz music.
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NATIONAL KITCHEN BY VIOLET OON SINGAPORE City Hall Wing, Level 2 | Tel: 9834 9935 Daily noon–2.30pm, (afternoon tea) 3–5pm, 6–10.30pm Helmed by local celebrity chef Violet Oon, National Kitchen serves perennial favourites that reflect Singapore’s rich culinary heritage.
ODETTE Supreme Court Wing, Level 1 | Tel: 6385 0498 Mon 7–9.30pm; Tue–Sat noon–2pm, 7–9.30pm Two-Michelin star Odette reflects Chef-Owner Julien Royer’s respect for seasonality, terroir and artisanal produce. Using classic French techniques, Royer presents the world’s finest seasonal ingredients in their purest form and flavour.
SMOKE & MIRRORS City Hall Wing, Level 6 | Tel: 6384 5595 Mon–Fri 3pm–1am; Sat–Sun, Eves of Public Holiday & Public Holidays noon–2am Enjoy magnificent panoramic views over the Padang and Marina Bay while savouring a drink from a meticulously curated menu including signature cocktails, wines and craft spirits.
YÀN City Hall Wing, Level 5 | Tel: 6384 5585 Daily 11.30am–2.30pm, 6–10.30pm Yàn offers diners the best in Cantonese cuisine. The sophisticated and innovative signature dishes crafted with diverse ingredients alongside familiar flavours promise to tantalise your taste buds.
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GALLERY PUBLICATIONS The Gallery publishes books on the visual art of Singapore and Southeast Asia. We are continually expanding our range of titles and have to date published a collection of children’s books, exhibition catalogues and albums, as well as research titles. Our books are available for purchase at our museum shop. For more information, please visit www.nationalgallery.sg/learn/publications or email us at publications@nationalgallery.sg.
NEW DO GALLERY SITTERS SIT ALL DAY? Paperback | 36 pages | $29.96 inclusive of GST ISBN: 978-981-11-4514-8 What is a docent? What does an artwork conservator do? Go behind the scenes to discover what goes on inside an art museum. With colourful illustrations featuring the beautiful architecture of National Gallery Singapore, Do Gallery Sitters Sit All Day? brings readers into the daily lives of museum professionals as they prepare exhibitions, receive artworks and guide visitors around the museum. COLOURS OF IMPRESSIONISM: MASTERPIECES FROM THE MUSÉE D’ORSAY Paperback | $53.50 inclusive of GST | ISBN: 978-981-11-4515-5 Using colour as the lens to offer a new perspective on Impressionism, this catalogue sweeps us from Manet’s rich blacks, through the green and blue landscapes of Monet and Cézanne, to the sensuous pinks of late Renoir. Along this journey, scientific discoveries and emerging definitions of modernity are explored, illuminating the radical innovations of the Impressionists and shifting preconceptions of their art.
BETWEEN WORLDS: RADEN SALEH AND JUAN LUNA Paperback | 208 pages | $53.50 inclusive of GST | ISBN: 978-981-11-4684-8 National heroes as well as enigmatic figures, Raden Saleh and Juan Luna traversed the colonial territories of Southeast Asia and the imperial cities of Europe, creating dramatic paintings that have been read as allegories of anti-colonialism in their respective homelands of Indonesia and the Philippines. Together, their works trace stylistic shifts in painting through the 19th century, while reflecting the cultural and social dynamics of this turbulent period. 36
ARTSY: FUN WITH SOUTHEAST ASIAN ART Paperback | 48 pages | $29.96 inclusive of GST ISBN: 978-981-11-2803-5 Inspired by artworks in the National Collection, this fun activity book introduces Southeast Asian artworks and art techniques. It encourages young artists to observe and explore the world around them.
AWESOME ART: THE NEXT 20 WORKS FROM SOUTHEAST ASIA EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW Hardback | 92 pages | $36.38 inclusive of GST ISBN: 978-981-11-2927-8 Following on the heels of the National Gallery Singapore’s first Awesome Art book, this title presents 20 more works that speak of the diversity and richness of art in the region. Perfect for the young and young at heart! STROKES OF LIFE: THE ART OF CHEN CHONG SWEE
生机出笔端：陈宗瑞艺术特展 Paperback | 212 pages | $53.50 inclusive of GST ISBN: 978-981-11-2373-3 This exhibition catalogue provides an overview of Chen Chong Swee's practice. Chen is celebrated as one of Singapore’s foremost artists, noted for his distinctive incorporation of local subject matter into the medium of traditional Chinese ink painting. REDISCOVERING TREASURES: INK ART FROM THE XIU HAI LOU COLLECTION
袖中有东海：袖海楼水墨藏珍 Paperback | 192 pages | $53.50 inclusive of GST ISBN: 978-981-11-2374-0 The Xiu Hai Lou Collection, founded by the late Yeo Khee Lim, is feted as one of the most extensive ink collections in Singapore. This exhibition catalogue showcases the breadth of the collection and includes an interview with the Yeo family, who continue to oversee the collection today.
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TICKETING INFORMATION Tickets are required for admission into all exhibition galleries (including Law of the Land in the Chief Justice’s Office & Chamber, and the Concourse Galleries), except the ArchiGallery and Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Gallery. SINGAPOREANS AND PRS
NON-SINGAPOREANS
Ticket Type
Adult
Concessions
Standard
Concessions
General Admission
Free
Free
$20
$15
Century of Light
$15
$10
$25
$20
$30
$25
All Access Pass (General Admission + Century of Light)
ADMISSION IS FREE FOR: • Gallery Insiders • Children aged 6 and below • Local/locally-based students and teachers* • Persons with disabilities (PWD) and their caregiver
CONCESSIONS APPLY TO: • Children aged 7–12 • Seniors aged 60 and above • Full-time National Servicemen (NSF) excluding foreign personnel • Overseas students and teachers*
Valid verification is required. For latest promotions and ticket prices, please visit www.nationalgallery.sg. *From qualifying institutions only.
GALLERY INSIDER MEMBERSHIP Gallery Insider members enjoy free entry to all exhibitions, priority booking for selected programmes, members-only events, discounts at our museum shop, restaurants and bars! Sign up now or purchase the membership as a gift for your loved ones. Membership Type
Singaporeans and PRs
Non-Singaporeans
Individual
$30
$60
Concession (Students/Seniors)
$25
$50
Dual (2 Pax)
$55
$110
Group (4 Pax)
$85
$200
For more information, please email membership@nationalgallery.sg.
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GENERAL INFORMATION OPENING HOURS Sat–Thu 10am–7pm; Fri 10am–9pm General ticket sales end 30 minutes before closing time.
GETTING TO THE GALLERY BY CAR Drop-off point for cars is located at Coleman Street entrance.
BY BUS (Stops at Parliament Place) 195, 961 By MRT 5-minute walk from City Hall MRT station via the Art Connector
here are 200 parking lots on Levels T B2 and B3. Entrance to the carpark is only accessible via St Andrew's Road.
10-minute walk from Clarke Quay and Raffles Place MRT stations
Gallery Parking Rates Daily, including Public Holidays 7am–6pm $1.30 per half hour 6pm–1am $3.20 per entry $1.00 per entry for motorcycles
B Y TAXI The nearest taxi stands are located at Coleman Street entrance of the Gallery and The Adelphi.
THE ARTS HOUSE
PICK-UP/ DROP-OFF POINT
NATIONAL GALLERY SINGAPORE PARLIAMENT HOUSE SUPREME COURT LANE THE ADELPHI
SUPREME COURT
Visit Us
ADDRESS: 1 St Andrew’s Road #01-01 Singapore 178957 ENQUIRIES: 6271 7000, info@nationalgallery.sg
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SUPPORT THE G ALLE RY The Gallery offers opportunities for you to enhance and cultivate your love for the arts. Your support helps us to build a world-class collection, pioneer original research, and develop our public programmes to bring art to a wider audience. Support the Gallery as a:
BEST FRIEND OF THE GALLERY (BFG) The BFG programme offers passionate individuals and corporate partners the chance to contribute meaningfully to the Gallery, and gain exposure to the workings of a major visual arts institution in a range of roles. To learn more about becoming a volunteer, please visit www.nationalgallery.sg/support.
DONOR Your support as a donor is crucial to the future growth of the Gallery’s collection and programmes, and you may be eligible for a generous tax deduction in appreciation of your donation. We will be pleased to advise you on the different ways of contributing to the Gallery. If you are interested in making a cash donation, please email supportus@nationalgallery.sg. If you are considering donating an artwork to the Gallery, please email collections@nationalgallery.sg.
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National Gallery Singapore would like to thank our corporate partners for their generous support. Development Partner
Founding Partners
Support the Gallery
Partner
Innovation Partner
Supported by
For details on sponsorship and partnership opportunities, visit www.nationalgallery.sg/support.
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nationalgallerysg nationalgallerysingapore natgallerysg nationalgallerysg
www.nationalgallery.sg 6271 7000, info@nationalgallery.sg 42
1 St Andrew’s Road Singapore 178957