J A N – M A R 2022
ADVISORY ON COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019) The safety and well-being of our visitors and staff continue to remain our top priority. •
Necessary precautionary measures such as wearing masks, contact tracing and safe distancing are in place.
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The Gallery, together with its F&B establishments, has been certified SG Clean.
Given the constantly changing COVID-19 situation, please visit nationalgallery.sg for the latest updates on tours, events and programmes (including talks and lectures, workshops and courses, children's and family activities at the Keppel Centre for Art Education, performances and film screenings). Thank you for your continued support and understanding as we keep the Gallery safe and enjoyable for everyone.
Chua Mia Tee Pagoda Street, Chinatown 1980 Oil on canvas 90.3 × 59.6 cm Collection of Benny and Rosemary Oh © Chua Mia Tee and family Facing page (top to bottom): Nam June Paik. John Cage Robot II. 1995. Vintage wood television cabinets, colour television receivers, DVD players, multi-channel video, piano keys, piano hammers, piano wire, acrylic paint, basket, books, wood mushrooms and chessmen. 274.3 × 203.2 × 78.7 cm. Collection of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas, 2011.17. Photography by Edward C. Robison III. Chua Mia Tee. Self-Portrait. 1962. Charcoal on paper. 46.5 × 31 cm. Collection of the artist. © Chua Mia Tee and family. Image from Light to Night Festival 2022: New Ways of Seeing, Thinking and Being. Installation view of Gallery Children's Biennale 2021: Why Art Matters 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 Jan 2022. All information is correct at time of print.
CO NTE NT S
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JAN–MAR 2022 2
About the Gallery
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Director’s Message
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Art We Love
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Your Gallery, Your Way
9 #GalleryAnywhere 10 Highlights Calendar
Exhibitions
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12 Special Exhibitions 20 Long-Term Exhibitions 26
Special Programmes Tours
30 Gallery Tours 32 Performances 34 Talks and Workshops
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35 Rotunda Library & Archive
Kids & Schools
36 Keppel Centre for Art Education 40 Shopping & Dining 42 Gallery Publications
Visit Us
44 Ticketing Information 46 General Information
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48 Support the Gallery
Digital Experiences included
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 leading visual arts institution overseeing the largest public collection of modern art of Singapore and Southeast Asia. Situated at the birthplace of modern Singapore, 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 64,000 square metre venue. Reflecting Singapore’s unique heritage and geographical location, the Gallery aims to be a progressive museum that creates dialogues between the art of Singapore, Southeast Asia and the world to foster and inspire a creative and inclusive society. This is reflected in our collaborative research, education initiatives, long-term and special exhibitions, and innovative programming.
BOARD MEMBERS Peter Ho (Chairman) Chang Hwee Nee Chew Choon Seng Chong Siak Ching Jennie Chua Rosa Daniel Goh Kok Huat Maimoonah Hussain Shareen Khattar Panote Sirivadhanabhakdi Doris Sohmen-Pao Professor Tan Chorh Chuan Whang Shang Ying Danny Yong
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FINALIST FOR OUTSTANDING ATTRACTION EXPERIENCE
DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
Dear friends, The start of a new year is always brimming with hope and anticipation. It’s a time for us to take stock of the events of the past year and see how we can move forward. This is no different for the Gallery, and I’m excited to share what is coming up next. Over the past few months, we’ve been hard at work on a suite of innovations that will enhance your experience with us. In the Basement Concourse, a new space known as The Spine Hall has taken over what used to be our ticketing counters. This leads to the Imagination Gallery, located in the Supreme Court Wing. Both these spaces offer inspiring, introductory art experiences for all visitors, and will be refreshed regularly to showcase new artworks and programmes. These will follow a theme, the first of which is “Social Sculpture.” To create a more seamless and personalised experience, we’ve also introduced several selfservice options that make it easier for you to plan, customise and embark on your visit to the Gallery. These include new ways of getting your Gallery passes via interactive kiosks, a web app where you can curate your own art journey anytime and anywhere, and other exciting offerings which you’ll learn more about in the following pages. We’ll also be kicking off 2022 with a bang with our annual Light to Night Festival, which returns for its 6th edition. A headline event of Singapore Art Week (14–23 January), this edition of the festival presents a slew of physical experiences in the Gallery and around the Civic District, paired with a broad selection of online activities. Centred around the theme “New Ways of Thinking, Seeing and Being,” Light to Night Festival 2022 illuminates the ways the world around us has evolved, and inspires audiences to seek out new perspectives and states of mind as we face the year ahead. Before the end of the first quarter of the year, do be sure to visit our special exhibition Nam June Paik: The Future is Now before it closes on 27 March. Nam June Paik is considered a pioneer of video art and a visionary who foretold how our relationship with technology would transform, decades before technology caught up with his predictions. This exhibition is the first major retrospective of Nam June Paik in Southeast Asia and our largest exhibition of the past year, surveying over five decades of his practice, showcasing a host of truly awe-inspiring artworks and archival materials that you won’t want to miss. We hope these new experiences offer you new and exciting ways of interacting with the Gallery, while also allowing you to connect more deeply with the art that you love. We look forward to welcoming you to the Gallery soon.
Eugene Tan Director, National Gallery Singapore 3
ART WE LOVE
In Dec 2021 the Gallery opened Nam June Paik: The Future is Now, the first major retrospective in Southeast Asia of this visionary artist. TV Garden is Paik’s imagined future landscape where technology is an integral part of the natural world. He places television sets amongst live plants, creating an environment in which the seemingly distinct realms of electronics and nature coexist. The monitors in this version of TV Garden display Paik’s music video work Global Groove, a colourful and dense mix of avant-garde, pop, and commercial imagery that bring together many of the themes central to him. It addressed global telecommunications and predicted a shift in the way different cultures, disciplines and art forms could connect and combine in mass media.
On display at B1 Basement Concourse 4
Nam June Paik. TV Garden. 1974–77, reconstructed 2002. Live plants and cathode-ray tube televisions. Video, colour, sound. Collection of Kunstsammlung Nordrhein Westfalen, Dusseldorf. Nam June Paik, installation view at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, May 8–Oct 3 2021; photo: Adam Jacobs Photography.
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YOUR GALLERY, YOUR WAY UNVEILING A NEW MUSEUM EXPERIENCE Let Art Surprise You! Starting from December 2021, we will be introducing a range of new improvements to make a visit to the Gallery even more welcoming, guided and personalised. Whether you’d like to pre-plan your visit or simply drop by to go on an unplanned journey of exploration, the choice is in your hands. Now, with a whole new exhibition and programming space in the basement concourse, you can start your journey with an introductory art experience before exploring the rest of the building. The revamped space is designed for an inclusive art experience for everyone and that’s why we’ve made it free entry for all visitors. Browse & Plan your Visit! For ultimate flexibility, you can now search for what’s on at the Gallery, plan and pay for your visit wherever you are. Pre-plan your visit and purchase your passes before stepping into the building or choose from a range of self-service options on arrival at any of our entrances.
Activity Pillar
Choose from a range of self-service options Upon arrival at our main Coleman Entrance, you will be greeted by our Arrival Landmarks that introduce our latest exhibitions and programmes. Scan the respective QR code to get passes and quick-start your visit. If you have already bought your passes online, skip the queues and print them directly on either our Gallery Pass Dispensers or Self-service Kiosks.
Self-service Kiosks
Unsure of what to do at the Gallery? Look for inspiration at our new Activity Pillar (available from end of February). If you see something you like, simply add them to your personal art journey on your mobile device by scanning the activity’s QR Code. Coming in from another entrance? Our new Self-Service Kiosks located around the building can also recommend activities and issue Gallery Passes on the spot.
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Visitor Services Counter
NEW
If you prefer a more human touch, feel free to approach our roving concierges for help. You can also head to our Visitor Services Counters at Coleman Entrance or Padang Atrium for any other services or special assistance. It’s Your Gallery, Your Way. With these new additions, you can explore art just the way you like it. In Sync With You Prefer a more personal approach, using your own mobile device. No problem. Simply scan the QR code below or visit web.nationalgallery.sg to browse, plan and pay for your visit anytime, anywhere—even before you step into the building!
Design your own art journey
SCAN TO LAUNCH PWA
Pre-plan your day at the Gallery by simply adding activities or exhibitions to your Art Journey that interest you. Our easy check-out function with multiple e-payment options ensures you have the Gallery Pass that you will need.
Or explore curated art journeys If you are looking for an itinerary to guide your visit, there are several curated art journeys to choose from. Whether it’s your first time at the Gallery, planning a romantic date, or even just here for the ’gram, there is always something for everyone! The Art Journeys function can be synced with our new digital touchpoints that are launching this February like the Activity Pillar and Self-service Kiosks. If you find an activity that piques your interest, simply scan the corresponding QR code to add it into your journey. Navigating around the Gallery has never been easier! 7
YOUR GALLERY, YOUR WAY
NEW
The Spine Hall
Free and Easy Art Encounters
Imagination Gallery
Spark Your Inspiration at The Spine Hall and Imagination Gallery The Spine Hall is a new space within the basement concourse at the City Hall Wing that features large-scale artworks and programmes. Check out TV Garden (1974) at The Spine Hall and the Sistine Chapel (1993) at the Ngee Ann Kongsi Gallery from our special exhibition Nam June Paik: The Future is Now. The Imagination Gallery at the Supreme Court Wing features art installations from the Children's Biennale, such as Voices from the Centers by Dinh Q. Lê. Artworks and programmes will be refreshed frequently to continue to let art inspire you. 8
Artist Joseph Beuys famously said: “Everything is art: every aspect of life can be approached creatively and, as a result, everyone has the potential to be an artist.” Inspired by this theory of Social Sculpture, the Gallery has re-designed the basement concourse to bring out the creative spirit in everyone! The entire basement concourse level is now free for all visitors, including non-Singaporeans, to enjoy. Start off your art journey with multi-disciplinary and multi-generational exhibitions and programmes at The Spine Hall, Imagination Gallery, Ngee Ann Kongsi and Koh Seow Chuan Galleries or check out innovative, tech-enabled art experiences at the Y:Lab Art Tech Showcase and Work Space.
Voices from the Centers by Dinh Q. Lê
*Dates mentioned are accurate at the time of print and are subject to change. Please refer to our website for more information.
#GALLERYANYWHERE www.nationalgallery.sg/galleryanywhere The Gallery offers a wide range of art experiences both in physical spaces and on #GalleryAnywhere, a one-stop portal to rich digital content and an array of virtual explorations that will keep you engaged and entertained wherever you are. Browse, watch, listen, or play to discover the Gallery’s myriad offerings. STORIES IN LIGHT: FOUR MODERN PHOTOGRAPHERS IN SINGAPORE The Gallery's first virtual-only exhibition Explore how photography provided a platform for artists to imagine a new Singapore landscape and identity after World War II.
Featured Artists: Lee Sow Lim (b. 1930, Malaysia) is celebrated for his contributions to photography as an artist, presenter, writer and educator. He was the first and only photographer to receive the Public Service Medal in 1978, and later chaired the photography selection panel for the Cultural Medallion, Singapore’s annual award for artistic achievement. Lee Lim (b. 1931, China; d. 1989, Singapore) is one of the most important and influential modern photographers in Singapore. He is particularly admired for his flawless technique in composite photography. Lee continued to experiment and innovate throughout his life. His final body of work features abstract images which appear to be landscapes, but are actually the distressed exterior walls of old buildings. Lim Kwong Ling (b. 1932, Singapore) learnt photography from Lee Sow Lim at the Adult Education Board. Later, his pursuit of naturalism led him to reject the conventional practice of staging scenes, as he sought to depict more meaningful images of daily life. Tan Lip Seng (b. 1942, Singapore) developed his own distinct style and method of colour photography in the 1960s. Self-taught and originally a medical photographer by profession, Tan counts Lee Lim as one of his major influences. This can be clearly seen in Tan’s experiments with photo montages. His semi-abstract and brightly-coloured landscapes of Singapore have become a trademark of his style.
SCAN TO VISIT #GALLERYANYWHERE
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HIGHLIGHTS CALENDAR For the latest updates on exhibitions and programmes, please visit nationalgallery.sg.
JAN SPECIAL SPECIAL
FESTIVAL OPENS
14 FRI 8 SAT KIDS PROGRAMMES (p.38)
Stories in Art Other dates: Every 2nd & 4th Sat & Sun
SPECIAL PROGRAMMES (p.26)
Light To Night 2022: New Ways of Seeing, Thinking and Being
FEB ONGOING
ONGOING
SPECIAL EXHIBITION (p.18)
SPECIAL EXHIBITION (p.22)
Wu Guanzhong: Learning from the Master
The Tailors and the Mannequins: Chen Cheng Mei and You Khin
Wu Guanzhong with students from the Central Academy of Art and Design's Department of Graphic Design 1977 class, on one of their outdoor drawing trips to Shanhai Pass, October 1978. Image courtesy of Zhang Peng.
Chen Cheng Mei. Market Scene, Sri Lanka. 1975. Oil on canvas, 61 × 80 cm. Recent acquisition.
MAR KEPPEL CENTRE FOR ARTS EDUCATION (p.36)
Art in Every Corner
NEW
5 SAT CURATOR TOUR (p.30)
Nam June Paik: The Future is Now
12 SAT SPECIAL PROGRAMMES (p.29)
Sound Makers by LittleCr3atureTM 10
Digital Experiences included nationalgallery.sg/galleryanywhere
20–23 THU–SUN PERFORMANCE (p.33)
Raisins in the Audience Dough (2nd Movement) by Lynn Lu & Melinda Lauw
ONGOING SPECIAL EXHIBITION (p.14)
Chua Mia Tee: Directing The Real Chua Mia Tee Epic Poem of Malaya 1955 Oil on canvas 105.5 × 125 cm © Chua Mia Tee and family This work has been collectively adopted by [Adopt Now] supporters
26 SAT
ONGOING
PERFORMANCE (p.32)
19 SAT TALKS (p.34)
In Gallery Sessions Every 3rd Sat of the month
Resonates With Y Quartet for The Tailors and the Mannequins: Chen Cheng Mei and You Khin
SPECIAL EXHIBITION (P.16)
Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Commission: Antony Gormley
CLOSING
27 SUN
SPECIAL EXHIBITION (p.12)
Nam June Paik: The Future is Now Nam June Paik. John Cage Robot II. 1995. Vintage wood television cabinets, colour television receivers, DVD players, multi-channel video, piano keys, piano hammers, piano wire, acrylic paint, basket, books, wood mushrooms and chessmen. 274.3 × 203.2 × 78.7 cm. Collection of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas, 2011.17. Photography by Edward C. Robison III.
nationalgallery.sg/galleryanywhere
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SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS NAM JUNE PAIK: THE FUTURE IS NOW Until 27 Mar 2022 | City Hall Wing, Level 3, Singtel Special Exhibition Gallery and Level B1, Basement Concourse
Nam June Paik, Sistine Chapel, 1993, reconstructed 2021. Video projectors, metal, wood, custom video switchers and four video channels, colour, sound. Collection of Ulsan Art Museum. Installation view at San Francisco of Modern Art. Courtesy of the Estate of Nam June Paik © Estate of Nam June Paik. Photo: Andria Lo.
Don’t miss our biggest exhibition of the year! Treat your senses to a riot of vision, colour and sound from the works of visionary artist and pioneer of video art: Nam June Paik. Playful, electrifying and thought-provoking, this immersive show will invite audiences to reflect upon their relationship with technology, and its intersection with other disciplines such as nature, music and religion. The first major retrospective of Nam June Paik in Southeast Asia, this exhibition surveys over five decades of his pioneering work in the use of television and video in art.
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Nam June Paik, Egg Grows, 1984-1989, Eight video monitors, video camera, and egg. Gift of Elaine McKeon, Byron R. Meyer, Madeleine Haas Russell, and Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Swanson. Collection of San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. © Estate of Nam June Paik. Photo: Katherine Du Tiel.
Nam June Paik and John Godfrey. Global Groove, 1973. Video, colour, sound. 28 min 30 sec. Courtesy of Electronic Arts Intermix (EAI), New York.
Born in present-day South Korea in 1932, Paik was a key figure in avant-garde movements of the late 20th century and one of the first international superstars in the art world. He is credited with coining the term “electronic superhighway,” which foretold transformations in the way people would communicate in the networked age of the internet. Discover the expansive range of Paik's work through 180 installations, projections, modified televisions, video sculptures, robots and other inventive contraptions, as well as archival materials relating to Paik's training in music and participation in movements such as Fluxus. This international exhibition has travelled to London's Tate Modern, Amsterdam's Stedelijk Museum and San Francisco's Museum of Modern Art—making its last stop here at the Gallery. Book your tickets now before it ends on 27 March 2022. For info on ticketing, admissions and more, visit namjunepaik.sg. This exhibition is organised by Tate Modern, London and San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in collaboration with National Gallery Singapore. Curated by Sook-Kyung Lee (Senior Research Curator, Tate) and Rudolf Frieling (Curator of Media Arts, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art) in collaboration with curators from National Gallery Singapore, June Yap (Senior Curator), Clarissa Chikiamco (Curator), Jennifer K. Y. Lam (Assistant Curator) and Roy Ng (Curatorial Assistant).
Lead Partner
Strategic Partners
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Exhibitions
CLOSING on 27 MAR
SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS CHUA MIA TEE: DIRECTING THE REAL Ongoing | City Hall Wing, Level 4 Gallery
Chua Mia Tee Workers in a Canteen 1974 Oil on canvas 88.5 × 126.5 cm Gift of the artist © Chua Mia Tee and family
Chua Mia Tee (b. 1931) is widely regarded as one of Singapore's leading realist artists. According to Chua, “The painter assumes the role of scriptwriter, director and actor to freely shape the subject's image.” Through the lens of film and his writings, this exhibition focuses on Chua’s practice from the 1950s to 1980s, a period of contention in Singapore as the young nation developed and strived for economic success. Chua's depictions of the city and its inhabitants offer an insight into Singapore’s ambition for progress and the diverse groups of people who have contributed to its story.
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Chua Mia Tee Conversations at Chinatown 1976 Pencil and watercolour on paper 41 × 58 cm Collection of Mr and Mrs Chan Tan Fong © Chua Mia Tee and family
Chua Mia Tee City and Wharves 1981 Oil on canvas 94.5 × 161 cm Collection of Lim & Tan Securities Pte Ltd
Strategic Partner
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SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS NG TENG FONG ROOF GARDEN COMMISSION: ANTONY GORMLEY Ongoing | Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Gallery
Antony Gormley. Horizon Field Singapore, 2021. 47 rings of 23 mm square section aluminium tube and stainless steel spigots. Ring diameter varying from 2 to 5.5m. Image credit: Joseph Nair/ Memphis West Pictures. © the artist
Antony Gormley (b. 1950, United Kingdom) is internationally renowned for his sculptures, installations and public artworks that investigate the relationship of the human body to space. The fifth Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Commission, Horizon Field Singapore, invites visitors into an immersive experience exploring space and form.
Series Partner
The Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Gallery is made possible with the support of Far East Organization. 16
ANTONY GORMLEY Ongoing | Various locations Three of Gormley’s earlier sculptures—Close V, Sense and Ferment—will also be on display in the Gallery’s public spaces, activating and engaging with the architecture of the buildings.
Antony Gormley Close V 1998 Cast iron 27 × 201 × 174 cm Image credit: Joseph Nair/ Memphis West Pictures © the artist
Antony Gormley Ferment 2007 2 mm square section stainless steel bar 273 × 177 × 211 cm Image credit: Joseph Nair/ Memphis West Pictures © the artist
Antony Gormley Sense 1991 Concrete 74.5 × 62.5 × 60 cm Image credit: Joseph Nair/ Memphis West Pictures © the artist
Strategic Partner
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SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS WU GUANZHONG: LEARNING FROM THE MASTER Ongoing | City Hall Wing, Level 4, Wu Guanzhong Gallery
Wu Guanzhong with students from the Central Academy of Art and Design’s Department of Graphic Design 1977 class, on one of their outdoor drawing trips to Shanhai Pass, October 1978. Image courtesy of Zhang Peng.
Wu Guanzhong (1919–2010) is one of the most significant Chinese painters of the 20th century, renowned for his innovative fusion of Chinese aesthetic elements with Western modernism. He is also acclaimed as an educator, sharing his artistic practices and philosophies with students at leading art educational institutions in China over a teaching career that spanned more than 40 years. Wu Guanzhong: Learning from the Master invites you into the intimate dialogues between Wu and his students at the Central Academy of Art and Design on their creative journeys, as they explored techniques, aesthetic sensibilities and more. The exhibition investigates for the first time Wu’s philosophies of art and pedagogy through manuscripts, art journals, sketchbooks, photographs and drawings by the master and his students.
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Wu Guanzhong with students from the Central Academy of Art and Design’s Department of Ceramics 1977 class, on one of their outdoor drawing trips to Juyong Pass and Badaling, September 1978. Digital Collection of National Gallery Singapore, with kind permission from Wu Keyu. RC-CH1-WGZ1-121.
This is the fifth exhibition in the Wu Guanzhong series, launched in 2015. It continues the explorations into Wu’s life and practice undertaken in the previous exhibitions Beauty Beyond Form (2015), A Walk through Nature (2017), Expressions of Pen & Palette (2018), and Art Nurtures Life (2019).
Strategic Partner
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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 The Gallery’s long-term exhibitions feature over 800 Singapore and Southeast Asian artworks, and are constantly evolving. Every year, visitors can discover over 200 new pieces. These updates to our long-term exhibitions allow us to display our artworks in new and exciting configurations, enabling us to tell different stories and introduce new perspectives. Each gallery has a distinct focus, which may be a specific medium or subject matter, or tracing an impulse shared by various artists at a particular moment in time. Refreshing our exhibitions also allows us to showcase works that we have recently acquired alongside our latest research, thereby continually expanding and enriching the narratives of art in the region.
Sarkasai Said Tzee Aspirations 1989 Batik 60 × 60 cm
Lai Foong Moi. Not titled (Pulling in Fishing Nets), 1963. Oil on canvas, 38.5 × 53.5 cm.
Lai Foong Moi was the first graduate from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts to further her artistic training in Paris. She returned to Singapore in 1958 and painted many landscapes and portraits of everyday life in Singapore and Southeast Asia. This monochromatic work effectively conveys the teeming activity of fishermen reeling in their nets despite the sparing use of colour and lack of pictorial detail. On display in DBS Singapore Gallery 1.
Aspirations combines assertive, energetic lines with vibrant colours. Sarkasi Said Tzee was an avid naturalist and often drew upon nature’s splendour to create dynamic visual rhythms and textured compositions. Throughout his lifetime, Sarkasi sought to elevate the appreciation of batik painting in Singapore, both as fine art and as a commercial craft, and was awarded the Cultural Medallion in 2020 in recognition of his achievements and contributions. On display in DBS Singapore Gallery 2.
The DBS Singapore Gallery is made possible with the support of DBS Bank. 20
BETWEEN DECLARATIONS & DREAMS: ART OF SOUTHEAST ASIA SINCE THE 19TH CENTURY Ongoing | Supreme Court Wing, Levels 3–5, UOB Southeast Asia Gallery
Nhek Dim Village Scene 1960 Oil on canvas 55 × 75.5 cm
Nhek Dim was the most celebrated painter in Cambodia during the 1960s, when the nation became embroiled in Cold War conflicts. Village Scene was featured in a 1961 exhibition organised by the United States Information Service in Phnom Penh, and subsequently reproduced in Free World, a magazine published by the United States in several Southeast Asian languages and distributed widely. The warm colours and flattened forms are typical of Nhek Dim’s work. This painting evokes a sense of tropical abundance, a trope often employed by modern artists in Southeast Asia to describe peasant life. On display in UOB Southeast Asia Gallery 13.
This is an extremely rare painting of General Aung San, the key architect of Myanmar’s independence from British colonial rule and father of Aung San Suu Kyi. Likely painted from a photograph, this vividly realistic yet heartfelt portrait was painted by U Ngwe Gaing, a leading modernist painter of the period. On display in UOB Southeast Asia Gallery 6. U Ngwe Gaing. Portrait of General Aung San. c. 1950−1967. Oil on cardboard support lined on pre-primed cotton fabric, 50 × 39.5 cm. This acquisition was made possible with donations to the Art Adoption & Acquisition Programme.
The UOB Southeast Asia Gallery is made possible with the support of UOB. 21
LONG–TERM EXHIBITIONS THE TAILORS AND THE MANNEQUINS: CHEN CHENG MEI AND YOU KHIN Ongoing | Dalam Southeast Asia, Level 3, UOB Southeast Asia Gallery
Chen Cheng Mei. Market Scene, Sri Lanka. 1975. Oil on canvas, 61 × 80 cm. Recent acquisition.
You Khin. Untitled (Doha Scene: Pakistani Bakers). 1990. Oil on canvas, 65 × 100 cm. Recent acquisition.
Dalam Southeast Asia is a project space located within the UOB Southeast Asia Gallery. Projects presented here ask critical questions and explore lesser-known narratives in Southeast Asian art, while attempting a recalibration of what a collections-based display is and what it may seek to achieve. This exhibition features artworks by Chen Cheng Mei and You Khin. Both artists adopted highly individual styles, led unusual lives, and have been outliers in most art historical accounts. Although Chen and You Khin did not know each other and were born two decades apart, they shared a lasting affinity for portraying everyday scenes in diverse locations. While Chen lived and worked in Singapore, she travelled extensively in Africa, South Asia and elsewhere. She made this painting, Market Scene, Sri Lanka, aftter one of several trips there. Her journeys inspired a planetary consciousness that is reflected in her artwork. You Khin was born in Cambodia but lived in Africa and the Middle East between the 1970s and 2000s. His artworks often capture aspects of daily life, reflecting his belief that “My world is modern.” The UOB Southeast Asia Gallery is made possible with the support of UOB. Visit our website for the e-catalogue for The Tailors and the Mannequins. It examines how the two artists drew from their encounters with modern people in unfamiliar locations, and features a selection of photographs, sketches and biographical timelines. https://www.nationalgallery.sg/southeastasia-dalam-tailors-mannequins 22
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 download the Gallery Explorer app from the App Store and Google Play store or borrow a device from Tour Services at Level 1, Padang Atrium Counter. For more information, please visit nationalgallery.sg/unrealised.
SCAN TO DOWNLOAD APP
Please note earphones are required to experience unrealised. 23
LONG–TERM EXHIBITIONS OUTBOUND Ongoing | Various locations
nationalgallery.sg/outbound #outboundsg
Haegue Yang with her work Forum for Drone Speech—Singapore Simulations 2019. Laminated plywood; stainless steel wire mesh; powder-coated metal pipe, prints on holographic paper; transparent sticker and loudspeaker; Nadine’s voice: audio, single channel, stereo, approx. 12 min; birdsong: audio, single channel, stereo, 29 min 58 sec. An OUTBOUND commission by National Gallery Singapore
Encounter Forum for Drone Speech- Singapore Simulations as you wander through the City Hall Foyer at Level 2. Inspired by the Gallery’s architecture and its connections to Singapore’s colonial past, this installation by Korean artist Haegue Yang is borne out of intensive research on historical figures and events. Yang employs the sculptural language of visual abstraction, weaving imagery, text and sound together to highlight how museums continually rearrange and reinterpret objects to envision alternative narratives. The illusory qualities of the materials used, including faux marble and holographic prints, express a sense that history and the present are in flux, provoking questions on identity, belonging and engagement. OUTBOUND is a series of unique commissions that imaginatively transform transitionary spaces at the Gallery. Each commission is an artistic and temporal landmark that anchors and guides the visitor’s experience while highlighting the Gallery’s iconic architecture. The inaugural season presents projects from artists Gary Carsley (Australia), Jeremy Chu (Singapore), Jane Lee (Singapore), Haegue Yang (South Korea) and Yee I-Lann (Malaysia).
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LISTENING TO ARCHITECTURE: THE GALLERY’S HISTORIES AND TRANSFORMATIONS Ongoing | City Hall Wing, Level 4, ArchiGallery
Zai Tang. Resident Frequencies: A Brief Aural History of National Gallery Singapore. 2017. Eight-channel sound installation, 36 mins. Commissioned by National Gallery Singapore. Image courtesy of the artist.
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.
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.
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).
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SPECIAL PROGRAMMES
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NEW
Special Programmes
A marquee event of Singapore Art Week, Light to Night Festival returns in 2022. The 6th edition of the festival features a host of innovative digital and on-site art experiences that are sure to excite and delight more audiences than ever before. Taking place over three weeks with an expanded line-up of programmes and artistic interventions, Light to Night 2022 will focus on the pursuit of new perspectives and states of mind. Audiences are invited to uncover new ways of seeing, thinking and being as they engage with fresh perspectives about the world we live in. Spearheaded by National Gallery Singapore with Civic District partners Asian Civilisations Museum, The Arts House, Victoria Theatre & Victoria Concert Hall, Esplanade–Theatres on the Bay and more, the district-wide visual, literary and performing arts festival looks to inspire audiences to forge deeper connections with art in new and engaging ways. Visit lighttonight.sg to learn more and check out the exciting programmes. Development Partner
Strategic Partners
Part of
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SPECIAL PROGRAMMES
REE I S F 22! N O C 20 ISSI E A D M TILL D W O N
R -EVE IRST ! UR F N RE O EDITIO O L P EX BRID
Explore the online festival here
HY
ENRICH YOUR BIENNALE EXPERIENCE WITH THESE PROGRAMES! Programmes
Dates
STORIES WITH KAMINI Sun, 2.30pm RAMACHANDRAN • The Tree's Lesson 1 Jan • Voices from the Centers 6 Feb by Dinh Q. Lê • The Little Toe 5 Mar
Venue
Online Supreme Court Wing, Level B1, Outside Koh Seow Chuan Gallery Online
SOUND MAKERS BY LITTLECR3ATURESTM
Sat, 12 Mar 2.30–3pm | 3–6 years 3.30–4pm | 18–36 months 4.30–5pm | 0–18 months
City Hall Wing, Level 5, Rooftop Studios 1 and 2
A SOMATIC SERIES WITH VINCENT YONG
Sat & Sun, 12 & 13 Feb | 2.30–4pm; 4.30–6pm
Rooftop Studios
RESONATES WITH FT. THE Sat, 26 Mar | 2.30pm; 4pm PURPLE SYMPHONY 28
Padang Atrium with livestreaming at 2.30pm on Gallery's Facebook and YouTube
Ignite your child's curiosity by exploring participatory works while learning about the four themes—Home, Environment, Diversity, Time—in our first-ever hybrid edition!
DON'T MISS THESE HIGHLIGHTS! Because It Makes Me Feel... by Nandita Mukand Home is a relationship between people, a feeling of belonging. Discover different homes and explore what gives you a sense of belonging.
Head/Home by Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan + Fruitjuice Factori These thousands of unique cardboard homes come with different backstories and experiences. Be inspired by their works and discover what home truly means to you.
Conversations With An Octopus by Sandra Lee Follow the adventures of The Girl With The Red Shorts and her friend, The Octopus, as they explore The Enchanted Forest and The Undersea Library.
Development Partner
Strategic Partner
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GALLERY TOURS DAILY 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, register online or proceed to Visitor Services at Padang Atrium Level 1 at least 30 minutes before the tour starts. Limited slots are available on a first come, first served basis. Tour participants should obtain or purchase admission tickets prior to joining a tour.
BUILDING HIGHLIGHTS English Thu–Sun 11am | Mandarin Sat–Sun 10.30am
DBS SINGAPORE GALLERY HIGHLIGHTS English Thu–Sun 1pm | Mandarin Sat–Sun noon
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GALLERY English Fri–Sun 1.30pm | Mandarin Sat–Sun 4pm
UOB SOUTHEAST ASIA GALLERY HIGHLIGHTS English Thu–Sun 3.30pm | Mandarin Sat–Sun 3pm
HIGHLIGHTS OF CHUA MIA TEE: DIRECTING THE REAL English Thu–Sun 11.30am | Mandarin Sat–Sun 2pm
HIGHLIGHTS OF NAM JUNE PAIK: THE FUTURE IS NOW English Thu–Sun 2pm | Mandarin Sat–Sun 1.30pm
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TAILORS AND THE MANNEQUINS: CHEN CHENG MEI AND YOU KHIN English Thu–Sun 12pm
CURATOR TOURS Join exhibition curators and discover artwork and archival highlights, curatorial narratives and behind-the-scenes processes that went into the making of our current exhibitions.
Nam June Paik: The Future is Now Sat 5 Mar 2022 | 11am–12pm | City Hall Wing, Level 3 Singtel Exhibition Gallery | Free for exhibition ticket holders Led by the curators of Nam June Paik: The Future is Now, this tour delves into the exhibition's curatorial narratives and offers insights into Nam June Paik’s artistic practice and pioneering work in the use of television and video in art.
GROUP TOURS COMMUNITY GROUPS The Gallery offers guided tours for community groups at a concessionary rate. For more information, please email groupenquiries@nationalgallery.sg.
CORPORATE OR OTHER PRIVATE GROUPS Please email groupenquiries@nationalgallery.sg for more information. 30
SELF-GUIDED AUDIO TOURS Download our free Gallery Explorer app to enjoy rich audio commentary on our long-term and special exhibitions.
SCAN TO DOWNLOAD GALLERY EXPLORER APP
Tours
ART X COCKTAILS TOUR Sat 4pm | $35 per ticket (U.P. $45), limited slots | General Admission ticket also required Add a touch of culture to happy hour with the perfect pairing of art and cocktails at the Gallery! Go on a 60-minute docent-led tour to discover the artworks that inspired craft cocktails from Smoke & Mirrors and learn about the evolution of cocktails throughout history. Note: The tour is not suitable for visitors below the age of 18. Tour ticket comes with one (1) complimentary cocktail from “The Real Art of Drinking” menu at Smoke & Mirrors, or a mocktail if desired.
BACK-OF-HOUSE TOURS FORMER SUPREME COURT: UNSEEN, UNHEARD Sat 5.30pm, Sun 4.30pm | $15 per ticket, limited slots | General Admission ticket also required This tour offers a glimpse into restricted areas of the former Supreme Court, usually out of bounds to the public. Go behind-the-scenes and find out more about courtroom proceedings and the experience of persons on trial as you: • Traverse a network of hidden passageways • Climb through a trapdoor into a prisoner’s dock • Gain access to the Viewing Gallery where members of the public used to sit during court hearings • Discover stories of some of the highest profile cases in Singapore’s history since 1939, tried in these very courtrooms Note: The tour is not suitable for children below the age of 13 and visitors with limited mobility. Please wear comfortable footwear and attire. Wearing high heels is strongly not recommended due to safety reasons. 31
PERFORMANCES RESONATES WITH Our monthly concert series invites young and professional musicians to respond to the themes found in our artworks and exhibitions. Sat | 2.30–3pm (livestreamed on the Gallery Facebook page), 4–4.30pm
Upcoming concerts: Accidental (String Quartet) for Chua Mia Tee: Directing The Real 29 Jan | 2.30pm, 4pm | Padang Atrium
Y Quartet for The Tailors and the Mannequins: Chen Cheng Mei and You Khin 26 Feb | 2.30pm, 4pm | Padang Atrium
The Purple Symphony for Gallery Children’s Biennale 2021: Why Art Matters 26 Mar | 2.30pm, 4pm | Padang Atrium
LIVE PERFORMANCE/ PERFORMANCE ON FILM RESPONSE TO NAM JUNE PAIK FEATURING VIVIAN WANG Response to Nam June Paik featuring Vivian Wang and Lasse Marhaug 2–27 Mar | City Hall Wing, Level 3 Singtel Special Exhibition Galleries Join this duo for an audio experience that seeks to explore the ephemeral nature of Paik's work. Using audio sounds from works on display, and interspersed with voices culled from interviews or from the imagined reservoirs, they seek to create an experience inspired by his robot works. *Please note that dates and timings may be subject to change. 32
LIVE PERFORMANCE/ PERFORMANCE ON FILM RAISINS IN THE AUDIENCE DOUGH (SECOND MOVEMENT) BY LYNN LU & MELINDA LAUW Various locations Thu–Sat | 20–23 Jan 2022 | 10am–7pm This movement draws from scores Nam June Paik wrote specifically for long-time collaborator Charlotte Moorman. Moorman and Paik's shared interest in inclusivity and engaging their audiences’ active participation, Paik’s prophetic conflations of tech and the body, including the mediation of intimacy through tech, and Paik’s signature “salt and pepper” strategy of injecting a surprise into what would otherwise be banal. Performances
RAISINS IN THE AUDIENCE DOUGH (THIRD MOVEMENT) BY LYNN LU & MELINDA LAUW Sat–Sun | 19–20 March 2022 | 2.30pm Performance on Film. Live streaming on FB and YouTube In the third performance of this series, Melinda Lauw and Lynn Lu will be filmed performing to scores contributed by participants from the previous movement. This resulting footage, alongside documentation of participants performing scores by Nam June Paik in the Second Movement, and vignettes from the Opening Movement, to make a short film entitled Variations on a Theme of Raisins in the Audience Dough. Variations on a Theme of Raisins in the Audience Dough will draw out gestures and serendipitous occurrences that connect the two artists, their participants, and Paik and Moorman's capers across the vast expanse of time and space.
CLOSER BY LAURIE YOUNG AND ELIZABETH DE ROZA Mar 2022 Experience Antony Gormley's works in a more visceral way through a series of somatic scores developed by Elizabeth de Roza and Laurie Young. Presented via audio guide, the listener will be guided to consider how they can use their own body to interact with the sculptures on display. This "walking tour" is designed to be enjoyed by audiences of different abilities.
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TALKS & WORKSHOPS PODCAST: NO FLASH Welcome to our official unofficial podcast, NO FLASH. These are impossible interviews, tall tales and the strangest stories never told. This is the Gallery like you’ve never heard it. Season 1, Unstill Life, is available now on your favourite podcast platform.
PODCAST: THE PADANG SESSIONS Join us as we chart the art of Southeast Asia and beyond, one dialogue at a time. Follow The Padang Sessions on your favourite podcast platform to listen to our audio archive of lectures, panels and conversations recorded live in the Gallery, whenever and wherever you are.
NAM JUNE PAIK: THE FUTURE IS NOW PROGRAMMES Join us for an exciting host of discursive programmes that introduce the multi-faceted life and work of Nam June Paik. Hear directly from exhibition curators and conservators as they share behind-the-scenes stories of the exhibition and the key considerations in media art conservation, participate in video glitching workshops and intimate reading groups centred around Paik’s creative practice, and more. Find more information on individual programmes at namjunepaik.sg.
IN-GALLERY SESSIONS In-Gallery Sessions is a monthly programme which prompts closer examination of the artworks on display. The series offers a platform for Gallery curators, artists and practitioners to delve into the processes and narratives behind the artworks in an intimate setting. Visit nationalgallery.sg for updates and registration details. 34
ROTUNDA LIBRARY & ARCHIVE
Situated in the heart of the former Supreme Court, where the legal reference library was once located, the Rotunda Library & Archive offers visitors a gateway to the Gallery’s extensive collection of reference and archival materials focusing on 19th to 20th century art of Singapore and Southeast Asia, and provides a welcoming environment for reading and research. The Library & Archive collection consists of approximately 20,000 archival and nearly 10,000 reference materials. Of these, the archives consist of artists’ primary resources such as letters, writings, interviews, recordings of performances, sketches and drawings, as well as press clippings and other exhibition-related ephemera. The resources continue to grow thanks to the generous support of artists and their families, collectors and other collaborators. For assistance or enquiries, please write to library.archive@nationalgallery.sg. You may also access a large selection of resources from our artwork and Library & Archive collections on our Collections Search Portal at collections.nationalgallery.sg. OPERATING HOURS: Mon–Fri 10am–12.30pm, 2–5pm, Closed Tue–Wed 1–2 Feb.
ACCESS OVER 6,000 ARTWORKS AND 8,000 ARCHIVAL MATERIALS
*The hours may be changed in accordance with the Government’s latest COVID-19 advisory. Please check the Gallery’s website and social media for latest information.
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KEPPEL CENTRE FOR ART EDUCATION
The Keppel Centre for Art Education is a dynamic space where art inspires new ways of learning. Come experience the immersive spaces that encourage imagination, creativity and self-led exploration. The 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.
5+
YEARS
ART IN EVERY CORNER!
Immerse yourself in Mural Play! and hands-on activities inspired by the Gallery's artworks and fuel your creativity! Imagine if the artworks came alive and started roaming freely about our Gallery. Play detective and help us find our artworks or create new compositions with magnetic elements as a storyteller!
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NEW
4+
YEARS
BECAUSE IT MAKES ME FEEL…
NEW
Home is a relationship between people, and a feeling of belonging. Nandita Mukand invites you to imagine different worlds, explore different homes and learn more about what gives you a sense of belonging.
5+
YEARS
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
If robots could create anything, what would you want them to make and why? Children are invited to express their creativity and think about whether robots could be considered artists. They can also explore the tools used by Singapore artist Yeo Shih Yun to create her abstract ink paintings.
4+
YEARS
ART PLAYSCAPE
Run across the padded floor, clap your hands as loud as you can, or move your arms in each zone! What will happen next? Surrounded by swirling brushstrokes created by artist Yeo Shih Yun, revel in the energy of ink splatters in this lively space as you embark on your own Ink-credible Adventure! Kids & Schools
For more information, please visit www.nationalgallery.sg/gallerykids.
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e asy s teps
The Keppel Centre for Art Education is open with limited capacity and Safe Management Measures in place so that you can enjoy a safe and fun visit with family and friends. Please check our website for the latest updates on what's happening at the Centre!
Let’s keep the Keppel Centre clean and safe for everyone to enjoy, with just 3 steps! 1 Keep your mask on at all times. 2 Sanitise your hands carefully. 3 Inform an adult if you are not feeling well.
The Keppel Centre for Art Education is made possible with the support of Keppel Corporation. 37
KIDS’ PROGRAMMES & ACTIVITIES Enjoy family programmes specially designed in collaboration with artists and art practitioners, and conducted by experienced artists and museum facilitators to develop a sense of curiosity, imagination and appreciation of art in children. To receive the latest programme information, visit www.nationalgallery.sg/families.
FAMILY PROGRAMMES 3+
YEARS
DROP-IN ACTIVITY
Every day | 10am–7pm | Ages 3 and up | Free Get creative! Experiment with the different media in the Keppel Workshops to explore themes inspired by our artworks.
4+
YEARS
STORIES IN ART
Every 2nd and 4th weekend of the month: 8–9, 22–23 Jan, 12–13, 26–27 Feb, 12–13, 26–27 Mar | 2.30–3.15pm, 3.30–4.15pm | Ages 4 and up | Free* Listen as our storyteller paints a picture worth a thousand words and tells the stories inspired by the artworks found in our Gallery. Why not join in the fun with a song or rhyme?
5+
YEARS
FAMILY ART TOURS
Every 1st and 3rd weekend of the month: 1–2, 15–16 Jan, 5–6, 19–20 Feb, 5–6, 19–20 Mar | 2.30–3.20pm, 3.30–4.20pm | Ages 5 and up | Free* Learn about different artworks and enjoy engaging conversations with your family as our facilitator brings you on a tour to discuss art and themes relevant to life today.
*Register for our programmes at the entrance of Keppel Centre for Art Education. Due to the COVID-19 situation, please note that programme timings may be subject to change. 38
GALLERYKIDS! WEBSITE Online , www.gallerykids.sg Watch a storytelling session or create an artwork inspired by our art tutorials— there is always something for your children to explore at GalleryKids! Don’t forget to join us as a member to track your journey in learning about art and for updates on our latest activities on-site.
SCHOOL PROGRAMMES Our school programmes support teaching, learning and research in art and museum education. Resources such as Click and Play Packs are available for teachers who wish to engage students in blended learning with our artwork collection. Museum-based Learning Tours Facilitated by museum educators, guided tours are now available for students, where they can learn more about the artwork collection through active discussions. On-site guided tours and virtual tours will also be available for registration. For more information, please email school.bookings@nationalgallery.sg. Travelling Art Programme The Travelling Art programme is an outreach programme that consists of a series of mobile art education stations that are loaned to schools for a period. The aim is to foster the learning and curiosity about the artwork collection among students in a school setting. Inspired by artworks created by Singapore and Southeast Asian artists, these stations provide teachers with opportunities to engage students with activities such as role-playing and imaginative dialogues. For more information, please email school.outreach@nationalgallery.sg.
EDUCATORS’ PROGRAMMES Looking for meaningful programmes for your professional development? The Gallery offers a variety of programmes to support educators in learning and teaching through art. These programmes are designed to develop visual literacy, art interpretive skills and museum-based educational strategies. For more information, please email school.bookings@nationalgallery.sg. 39
SHOPPING & DINING
For the latest updates on our Shopping & Dining outlets, please visit nationalgallery.sg/see-do/shopping-and-dining.
ART City Hall Wing, Level 6 | Tel: 6866 1977 Tue−Sun noon−2pm, 6.30−10pm
Art is an elegant contemporary Italian restaurant helmed by Michelin-star Chef-Restaurateur Beppe De Vito. Dining at Art will take you on a journey through an ever-evolving menu that brings together Italian tradition, top quality produce and innovative culinary techniques. Art is located at the Gallery rooftop, with indoor and alfresco seating available. COURTYARD CAFÉ Supreme Court Wing, Level 1 | Tel: 6384 1874 Sun–Thu 10am−6pm (last order at 5.30pm) Fri, Sat 10am-7pm (last order at 6.30pm)
Specialising in Straits Asian food, the Courtyard Café serves authentic and modern interpretations of local dishes alongside a selection of traditional kuehs, cakes, toast and beverages. COURTYARD LOUNGE Supreme Court Wing, Level 1 | Tel: 6384 1874 Mon–Thu 1–6pm Fri–Sat 1–7pm
Nestled in a cosy corner of the Gallery, Courtyard Lounge serves Asian-fusion tapas in a tranquil ambience with relaxing jazz music. GEMMA City Hall Wing, Level 5 | Tel: 8787 0977 Tue–Sun noon−2.30pm, 6.30−10.30pm
A concept by Beppe De Vito of Il Lido Group, this contemporary Italian steakhouse in the city is a modern renaissance of Italian fine dining. HACHI RESTAURANT Supreme Court Wing, Level 1 | Tel: 6734 9622 Mon–Sat noon–2.30pm, 6–11pm
Hachi Restaurant continues its 20-year tradition of Japanese seasonal omakase dining with its new flagship at the Gallery. Expect new creations and techniques that showcase the best ingredients from the land and seas of Japan. NATIONAL KITCHEN BY VIOLET OON SINGAPORE City Hall Wing, Level 2 | Tel: 9834 9935 Daily noon–2.30pm, 3–5pm (afternoon tea, weekends only), 6–10.30pm
Helmed by local celebrity chef Violet Oon, National Kitchen serves perennial favourites that reflect Singapore’s rich culinary heritage.
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Patrons to our F&B establishments are reminded to adhere to the prevailing Safe Management Measures, and that the consumption of alcohol is prohibited after 10.30pm.
ODETTE Supreme Court Wing, Level 1 | Tel: 6385 0498 Mon−Sat noon−1.15pm (last seating), 7−8.15pm (last seating). Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays
This modern French restaurant reflects Chef-Owner Julien Royer’s respect for seasonality, terroir and the finest 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: 9380 6313 Mon−Sun 3−11.30pm
Enjoy magnificent panoramic views over the Padang and Marina Bay while savouring a drink from a meticulously curated menu that includes signature cocktails, wines and craft spirits. THE GALLERY STORE BY ABRY City Hall Wing, Level 1 Daily 10am–7pm
The Gallery Store by Abry offers an exciting and innovative range of museum and art-related merchandise and publications. It is operated by Abry Pte Ltd, an award-winning distributor and retailer of luxury, premium lifestyle and fashion brands. THE GREAT MISCHIEF City Hall Wing, Level 1 | Tel: 8721 3150 Daily 10am–10pm
Inspired by Catalan culture, The Great Mischief offers a multisensory dining experience, with strong visual influences from Antoni Gaudi’s distinctive Art Nouveau and Modern style in the furniture, and even in the plating of food. THE PUBLIC EIGHT Shopping & Dining
Supreme Court Wing, Level 1 | Tel: 6242 5590 Mon–Sat 6pm–midnight
This bar-cellar by Hachi Restaurant offers a selection of Japanese whisky and spirits, from Highball cocktails to fresh beer on tap, complemented by modern Japanese food. 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. Their sophisticated and innovative signature dishes promise to tantalise your taste buds with diverse ingredients and familiar flavours. 41
GALLERY PUBLICATIONS
History and Imagination: Modern Photography from Singapore presents the works of four Singapore photographers: Tan Lip Seng, Lee Lim, Lim Kwong Ling and Lee Sow Lim. These amateur photographers were active members of camera clubs in the 1950s and 1960s, a period of rapid political and urban change in newly independent Singapore. Navigating the desire to document the emerging nation against the conventions of pictorial photography, this book uncovers how these photographers used different strategies to imagine Singapore, creating photographs that occupy a space between imagination and reality.
GEORGETTE CHEN: AT HOME IN THE WORLD Hardback | 208 pages | $53.50 (inclusive of GST) | ISBN: 978-981-14-4922-2 Georgette Chen is one of Singapore�s most significant modern painters. Across continents, through two World Wars, and two Chinese Revolutions, her commitment to her practice never waned. With over 70 full-colour plates and archival material, along with critical essays, this monograph brings new perspectives on her independent artistic voice and vital role as an educator in the development of modern art in Singapore. CHUA MIA TEE: DIRECTING THE REAL 蔡名智：映真 Paperback | 240 pages | $53.50 (inclusive of GST) | English and Chinese | ISBN: 978-981-18-0622-3 Through character, narrative and composition, visionary artist Chua Mia Tee goes beyond mere representation to construct iconic images of Singapore�s changing landscapes and its inhabitants. Alongside full-coloured plates and an essay are Chua�s writings collected together for the first time, bringing revelatory insight to a prolific artistic practice that started in the 1950s. THE GIFT: COLLECTING ENTANGLEMENTS AND EMBODIED HISTORIES Paperback | 116 pages | $37.45 (inclusive of GST) | ISBN: 978-981-18-0923-1 | Published by Singapore Art Museum Focusing on ideas of inter-relation and exchange that manifest in history, geography and identity, this catalogue examines how the act of giving is performed, remembered and entangles. This exhbition is a dialogue between the collections of Singapore Art Museum, Galeri Nasional Indonesia, MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum and Nationalgalerie— Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, initiated by the Goethe-Institut. ANTONY GORMLEY Hardback | 100 pages | $31.20 (inclusive of GST) | ISBN: 978-981-18-1544-7 This catalogue for Antony Gormley�s most recent showing in Singapore features stunning full-colour plates of the installations, including the fifth Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Commission, Horizon Field Singapore. This publication also contains an artist�s interview, a curatorial essay, and a text by Ackbar Abbas, who continues his study into the situatedness of Gormley�s practice. 42
History and Imagination: Modern Photography from Singapore
HISTORY AND IMAGINATION: MODERN PHOTOGRAPHY FROM SINGAPORE Paperback | 116 pages | $37.45 (inclusive of GST) | ISBN: 978-981-18-0631-5 This catalogue presents the works of four amateur Singaporean photographers—Tan Lip Seng, Lee Lim, Lim Kwong Ling and Lee Sow Lin— who were active members of camera clubs in the 1950s and 1960s. Scholarly essays and full-colour plates trace how these photographers� images parallel and search for independence and the anxieties of modernity.
History and Imagination:
Modern Photography from Singapore
T I T L E I N F O RM AT I O N Tate Publishing
NAM JUNE PAIK Paperback | 176 Pages | $50.50 (inclusive of GST) | ISBN: 978-184-97-6635-7 | Published by Tate Paik played pivotal roles in the cross-germination of radical aesthetics and experimental practices, as well as in the proliferation of performative and collaborative art practices. In this book, works spanning Paik�s five-decade career, archival materials and artist�s writings offer insight into his vision. SOMETHING NEW MUST TURN UP Paperback | 116–160 pages | $26.75 (inclusive of GST) each This series of five books—Chng Seok Tin: Drawn through a Press; Eng Tow—the sixth sense; Goh Beng Kwan: Nervous City; Jaafar Latiff: In the Time of Textile; and Mohammad Din Mohammad: The Mistaken Ancestor—traces the individual journeys that these artists undertook as they strove to be continuously “new.” Essays, interviews, full-coloured plates and archival materials offer a comparative perspective of how artists critically engaged with the conditions of multiculturalism, developmentalism and modernisation in post-independence Singapore.
NAM J
EDITED BY SO • •
• •
First rigorou twentieth-ce Reveals the oeuvre, feat all-encompa Chapel 1993 Emphasises evolving cul Will appeal
Considered to b 2006) was a visi media and new His cutting-edge continues to be
This ground-bre in the cross-germ practices, emph role in the emer collaborative art decade career, a Paik’s own writin the artist’s innov future. His ideas and his profoun context of transn elaborate upon and choreograp Merce Cunningh global trajectory connect his art t
D E TA I L S October 2019 246 x 189 mm 176 pp c.120–50 colour illustrations c.20,000 words (excl. ends) 9781849766357 Paperback £25 Rights: World Exhibition: Tate Modern, London 17 October – 9 February 2020
CONTRIBUTO
Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam 14 March – 23 August 2020
Rudolf Frieling
Sook-Kyung Lee
Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago 7 November 2020 – 17 January 2021
John G. Hanhar and media arts
Rachel Jans is A SFMOMA.
SFMOMA, San Francisco 3 April – 5 July 2021
Susanne Neubu the Museum M
National Gallery Singapore 1 October 2021 – 16 January 2022
David Toop is a culture and imp
The Asian Modern
THE HONEST GUIDE TO SEEING ART #1 AND #2
John Clark
THE ASIAN MODERN Paperback | Over 500 pages | $58.85 (inclusive of GST) | ISBN: 978-981-14-0607-2 In this expansive study, John Clark, Emeritus Professor in Art History, draws on decades of his research on modern art cultures across Asia from 1850 to the present day. The Asian Modern uses an artist-centric approach, by way of meticulous case studies, to create a new comparative paradigm for the narration of art.
Tate Publishing, a division of Tate Enterprises Ltd, M Tel: +44 (0)20 7887 8869 Fax: +44 (0)20 7887 8878 www.tate.org.uk/publishing
FREE
Available at Visitor Services Counter Packed with questions you have always wanted to ask in a gallery but just never did.
PERSPECTIVES Our online weekly magazine for views, conversations, research and behind-thescenes insights. Visit nationalgallery.sg/magazine. ANOTHER INITIAL IMPETUS Our new mobile-friendly zine series explores the legacies of the Alpha Gallery in Singapore, an arbiter of its time. Visit nationalgallery.sg/zines. THE TAILORS AND THE MANNEQUINS: CHEN CHENG MEI AND YOU KHIN This digital exhibition publication is the first in a series covering our new project space, Dalam Southeast Asia (see p. 22). 43
TICKETI NG INFORMATION Tickets are required for admission into all exhibition galleries (including Law of the Land in the Chief Justice’s Office & Chamber) except the ArchiGallery, Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Gallery and Basement Concourse (including Ngee Ann Kongsi and Koh Seow Chuan galleries).
SCAN TO PURCHASE TICKETS
Purchase your tickets in advance from online and quickstart your Gallery experience by scanning in your confirmation QR code at our Pass Dispensers. Note: Not applicable to Concession tickets.
TICKET TYPE
S TA N D A R D
General Admission
$20
LO C A L*
FREE
T IFree C K Guided E T T YTours PE +
S TA N D A R D
LO C A L*
Nam June TICKE T T YPaik: P E The Future is Now
S TA$25 NDARD
LO$15 C A L*
$30
-
All Access Pass (General Admissions + Special Exhibition)
$5 OFF FOR CONCE SSION TICKETS:
FREE ADMISSION FOR:
• Children aged 7–12
• Gallery Insiders
• Seniors aged 60 and above
• Children aged 6 and below
• Full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) excluding foreign personnel
• Local/locally-based students and teachers^
• Overseas students and teachers^
• Persons with disabilities (PWD) and their caregivers
* Rates for locals apply to Singaporeans and PRs. ^From qualifying institutions only. Valid verification is required. For latest promotions and ticket prices, please visit nationalgallery.sg.
GENER AL ADMISSION TICKET ADMITS ONE TO THE SE E XHIBITIONS: • Chua Mia Tee: Directing the Real • Wu Guanzhong: Learning from the Master • Siapa Nama Kamu? Art in Singapore Since the 19th Century • Between Declarations and Dreams: Art of Southeast Asia Since the 19th Century • Law of the Land: Highlights of Singapore's Constitutional Documents
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GALLERY INSIDER MEMBERSHIP Enjoy up to $120 from privileges such as unlimited access to our dynamic line-up of exhibitions, perks and discounts for selected programmes, unique museum merchandise and the Gallery’s culinary offerings!
JOIN NOW TO ENJOY THESE BENEFITS!
Unlimited access to all Exhibitions
Earn points with our Rewards Programme to experience more
Priority booking and discounts to selected programmes
Priority access to selected exhibits
Access to Gallery InsiderOnly events
Shopping & dining privileges
GET $200 WORTH OF SHOPPING AND DINING VOUCHERS!
Min. $120 spend
Yan $50 off
Min. $200 spend
Min. $200 spend
Art $50 off
National Kitchen $30 off
Smoke & Mirrors $10 off
Gallery Store $5 off
Courtyard Cafe $5 off
Total Value $200
Min. $50 spend
Gemma $50 off
Min. $50 spend
Min. $35 spend
Min. $100 spend
* Offers are accurate at time of print. MEMBERSHIP TYPE
S TA N DA R D
LO C A L*
Individual
$60
$30
Concession (Students/Seniors)
$50
$25
For more information, please scan the QR code or email membership@nationalgallery.sg.
SCAN TO SIGN UP
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Visit Us
*Rates for locals apply to Singaporeans and PRs
GENERAL INFORMATION For the latest updates on our Venues and Spaces, visit nationalgallery.sg/venue-rental.
VENUES FOR RENT Blending rich history with exciting modernity, the Gallery’s historical neoclassical architecture and unique spaces are ideal for hosting a variety of events from conferences to product launches.
SUPREME COURT TERRACE
THE NGEE ANN KONGSI AUDITORIUM AND FOYER
Built around the former Supreme Court’s Rotunda dome, old and new architecture merge perfectly in this captivating space. The terrace offers a sophisticated setting for events such as product launches, private receptions and seated dinners.
Nestled in the basement, this space features theatre seating layout with stateof-the-art audio visual equipment. An ideal venue for talks, seminars, screenings and recitals with a spacious foyer to host a cocktail reception.
ROOFTOP STUDIOS
PADANG DECK
Located on the Gallery’s tranquil rooftop, these versatile and air-conditioned rooms are designed to cater to a variety of events —from meetings to training and breakout sessions, or even small workshops.
Located on the rooftop, this open-air space offers spectacular panoramic views of Singapore’s skyline.
SCAN HERE TO BROWSE ALL VENUES
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OPENING HOURS Daily 10am–7pm General ticket sales end 30 minutes before closing time.
GETTING TO THE GALLERY BY BUS (Stops at Parliament Place) 195, 961
BY CAR Drop-off point for cars is located at Coleman Street entrance.
BY MRT 5-minute walk from City Hall MRT station via the Art Connector 10-minute walk from Clarke Quay and Raffles Place MRT stations
here are 200 parking lots on Levels T B2 and B3. Entrance to the carpark is only accessible via St Andrew's Road. 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
BY 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
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. BEST FRIENDS OF THE GALLERY (BFG) Contribute meaningfully to the Gallery and gain exposure to a wide range of roles in a visual arts institution by joining our BFG family. ARTWORK DONATIONS Artwork donations are crucial to the Gallery's mission to present Singapore and Southeast Asian modern art. All proposed donations will be carefully considered and endorsed by our Acquisition Committee. Ng Eng Teng. Mother and Child. 1996. Bronze, 350 × 310 × 150 cm. Gift of the family of the late Dr Ng Eng Teng.
ART ADOPTION AND ACQUISITION PROGRAMME Adopt artworks that are on display in our Singapore and Southeast Asian long-term exhibition galleries. We also welcome monetary donations to our acquisition fund. Donations go towards acquiring new artworks that strengthen our collection. Raden Saleh. Wounded Lion. c. 1838. Oil on canvas, 88 × 108.5 cm.
[ADOPT NOW] From just $50, you can “own” an artwork together with a group of like-minded art enthusiasts and build our National Collection for future generations. In addition to being acknowledged online for your contributions in perpetuity, you will also receive a digital artwork digital badge for every contribution made. Chua Mia Tee. Epic Poem of Malaya. 1955. Oil on canvas, 107 × 125.5 cm. This work has been collectively adopted by [Adopt Now] supporters. © Chua Mia Tee and family
PATRONS PROGRAMME Become part of a community of like-minded individuals who are looking for sustained engagement with the arts and want to support the Gallery. Our Patrons enjoy a year-long calendar of exclusive tours, artist dinners, opening receptions and behind-the-scenes access. EXHIBITION AND PROGRAMME PARTNERSHIPS Our exhibition and programme partners make art more accessible to the community while also increasing their brand awareness. Partnership packages can be tailored to your needs and include privileges like private viewings that are perfect for engaging clients and staff.
To find out more, please visit nationalgallery.sg/join-give or scan the QR code to contribute to https://donate.nationalgallery.sg/ All gifts made are eligible for tax deductions in accordance with IRAS guidelines. 48
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 partnership opportunities, visit nationalgallery.sg/support. 49
nationalgallerysg nationalgallerysingapore natgallerysg nationalgallerysg 新加坡国家美术馆
nationalgallery.sg 6271 7000, info@nationalgallery.sg
1 St Andrew’s Road Singapore 178957
