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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,
temperature screening, 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.
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Image from Gallery Children's Biennale 2021: Why Art Matters Facing page (top to bottom): Antony Gormley, Close V, 1998. Cast iron. 27 × 201 × 174 cm. © the artist. Photograph by Stephen White Exhibition view of Something New Must Turn Up: Six Singaporean Artists After 1965. Film still from Talking the Pictures / Katsuben! by Suo Masayuki. Image from 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 Jun 2021. All information is correct at time of print.
CO NTE NT S
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JUL–SEP 2021 2
About the Gallery
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Director’s Message
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Art We Love
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Highlights Calendar
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National Gallery Singapore Turns 5
Exhibitions
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10 Special Exhibitions 20 Long-Term Exhibitions 26
Special Programmes Tours
30 Gallery Tours 32 Performances 35 Rotunda Library & Archive
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Kids & Schools
36 Keppel Centre for Art Education 40 Shopping & Dining 42 Gallery Publications
Visit Us
44 Ticketing Information 46 General Information 48 Support the Gallery
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Digital Experience
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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DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
Dear friends, As we move into the third quarter of the year, the Gallery continues to bring compelling art experiences to you whether you’re at home or in our building. Painting with Light, the Gallery’s annual festival of international films on art, kicks off in July in a hybrid format. For the first time, audiences can enjoy screenings both online and onsite. This year’s edition celebrates the idea of innovation, with over 50 films that speak to the experimental nature of artists and filmmakers. This spirit of originality is embodied in the festival’s first-ever film commission—an anthology of six works by local filmmakers in response to the artists featured in our exhibition, Something New Must Turn Up: Six Singaporean Artists After 1965. In August, we invite you to experience an exciting collaboration with renowned British artist Antony Gormley, who is best known for sculptures and installations that investigate the relationship between the human body and space. His latest work, Horizon Field Singapore, is our new commission for the Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden. This vast installation, spanning the entire length of the roof terrace, is an open metal matrix that seems to morph as one moves through it. Additionally, three of Gormley’s key earlier sculptures—Sense (1991), Close V (1998), and Ferment (2007)—will be on display within the Gallery’s public spaces, framed by the architecture of these historical buildings. Finally, the Gallery Children’s Biennale returns in September, just in time for the school holidays. The festival aims to empower children with a renewed sense of empathy and confidence through the imaginative power of art and play. Children can freely explore nine installations inspired by the themes of home, environment, time, and diversity. Alongside these physical works, the festival will present a plethora of engaging online content for kids and families alike to enjoy from the comfort of home. We welcome you to the Gallery to experience these offerings and connect with art in different ways. While doing so, we will continue to take all necessary steps to protect your health, and ensure that the Gallery remains a safe, welcoming, and inspiring place for all. Wishing you and your family good health,
Eugene Tan Director, National Gallery Singapore
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ART WE LOVE
Kim Lim (林真金) (b. 1936, Singapore; d. 1997, United Kingdom) Day 1966 Steel 216 × 106.5 × 106.5 cm Gift of Lim Koon Teck
In Day, flat, hard steel is used to create a form of soft curves. This sculpture was originally exhibited on the roof of the now demolished Malaysia-Singapore Airlines building in Singapore. The building’s architect, Lim Chong Keat, installed Day there as a way to introduce public art to the construction when it was completed in 1967. Artist Kim Lim initially made sculptures in wood before becoming interested in how one could suggest form without expressing mass. She thus began experimenting with industrial materials such as steel, aluminium and fibreglass, and even took up an attachment with a fibreglass factory in Singapore to learn more about the material. Lim used these contemporary materials to explore the relationships between space, light and rhythm, expanding the possibilities of her practice.
On display at UOB Southeast Asia Gallery Level 3 corridors outside UOB Southeast Asia Gallery 6. 4
#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. NEW
Featured Artists: Lee Sow Lim (b. 1930, Malaysia): Lee Sow Lim 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): Lee Lim 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): Lim Kwong Ling 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): Tan Lip Seng 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 JULY NEW
10 SAT PROGRAM
Stories in A Other dates & 4th Sat & S
NEW OPENING
2 FRI
SPECIAL PROGRAMMES (p.27)
Painting with Light: Festival of International Films on Art
AUG NEW OPENING
6 THU
NEW OPENING
NEW
20 FRI
SPECIAL EXHIBITION (p.10)
NEW
SPECIAL EXHIBITION (p.18)
The Gift: Collecting Entanglements and embodied histories
Antony Gormley
Gabriel Barredo. One. 1999. Mixed media, 69.5 × 57.7 × 17.4 cm. Collection of Singapore Art Museum
SEP ONGOING SPECIAL PROGRAMMES (p.28)
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17 FRI PERFORMANCE (p.32)
Afterlude-Prelude: Responses to Nam June Pa
Gallery Children’s Biennale 2021: Why Art Matters
22 MAY
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NEW
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For the latest updates on exhibitions and programmes, please visit nationalgallery.sg.
Nam June John Godf Global Gr video, colo 28 min, 30 Courtesy o Arts Interm New York.
GALLERY TURNS 5! (p. 8)
31 SAT MES (p.39)
Art s: Every 2nd Sun
PERFORMANCE (p.32)
17 SAT TALKS (p.35)
In Gallery Sessions Other dates: Every 3rd Sat of the month
ART + LIVE Resonates With Jeremy Monteiro for Something New Must Turn Up: Six Singaporean Artists After 1965
EXHIBITION CLOSING
22 SUN
CLOSING SOON
CLOSING SOON
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Something New Must Turn Up: Six Singaporean Artists After 1965 (p.12)
EXHIBITION CLOSING
EXHIBITION CLOSING City Hall: If Walls Could Talk (p.20)
CLOSING SOON
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aik
Paik, frey, roove, 1973, our, sound, 0 sec, of Electronic mix (EAI), .
CURATOR TOUR
Georgette Chen: At Home in the World
(p.30)
(p.16)
Georgette Chen: At Home in the World
Georgette Chen. East Coast Vendor. 1960. Oil on canvas. 92 × 73 cm.
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Digital Experience
nationalgallery.sg/galleryanywhere
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NATIONAL GALLERY SINGAPORE TURNS 5!
Join us as we commemorate our fifth anniversary with a slew of programmes and initiatives designed to enable all to access the power of art to heal and provide respite. Curated for people of all ages and from all walks of life, regardless of language, interests and needs, everyone can look forward to innovative, engaging and meaningful experiences with art.
Get your hands on limited edition merchandise! Georgette Chen's Self Portrait tote bag Greeting cards (set of 8) Georgette Chen's Self Portrait EZ-Link card Georgette Chen's Singapore Waterfront facemask 5th Anniversary facemask These products are all available at The Gallery Store.
BE PART OF THE PEOPLE’S MUSEUM For the first time ever, you can now own a work from the National Collection from as little as $50. This initiative aims to cultivate a longterm culture of giving to the arts, while allowing current and future generations of Singaporeans to develop a deeper understanding of the region's art, culture, heritage and history. All art adopters will be acknowledged for their contributions. 8
SCAN TO DOWNLOAD GALLERY EXPLORER APP TO [ADOPT NOW]
ART FOR ALL 1
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Let our audio guide be your companion as you explore Georgette Chen: At Home in the World. Available in four languages. Visit this exhibition at the Level 4 Gallery and Wu Guanzhong Gallery. Download our free Gallery Explorer app to access the audio tours. Available in English, 中文, Bahasa Melayu and தமிழ்
Go on a fun and intriguing journey with author Shamini Flint as she chats about food and art in our very first podcast!
Georgette Chen. Self Portrait. c. 1934. Oil on canvas, 35 × 27 cm. Gift of Lee Foundation.
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Art Through Your Eyes
Discover quirky, thought-provoking and insightful responses to key artworks in our galleries penned by members of the public. Lee Man Fong’s self-portrait is a serve. I would like to imagine that Mr Lee was a hipster back in the day, with his thick black rimmed glasses, gently tousled hair and little moustache. What a cool guy! Self-Portrait reminds of the of the modern-day selfie, but with a little more thought and artistic direction. After all, self-portraits take a lot of effort to create, don’t they? The carefully positioned flowers and sculptures doused in a slight sepia-toned colour palette make me believe that Lee Man Fong was the coolest hipster on the block, period.
Lee Man Fong. Self-Portrait. 1958. Oil on canvas, 99 × 102 cm. Gift of Mr and Mrs Putra Masagung.
Shevon Leck has a deep love for the local arts scene. She enjoys reading art books, watching crime documentaries and wondering when she can attend a local gig again. Shevon is a volunteer with Kolektif, an experimental youth programme at the Gallery for 17 to 25 year olds.
View Self-Portrait at DBS Singapore Gallery 1.
LET ART HEAL YOU Express solidarity and encouragement through Words that Count, an online platform that allows you to compose blackout poems!
Stay connected to the latest offerings at galleryturns5.sg.
SCAN HERE TO VIEW 5TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY OFFERINGS
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SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS NG TENG FONG ROOF GARDEN COMMISSION: ANTONY GORMLEY Opens 6 Aug | Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Gallery and various locations
Antony Gormley, Horizon Field Singapore. Work in progress at Hexham studio, May 2021.
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. 10
Exhibitions
NEW
ANTONY GORMLEY Opens 6 Aug | 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 Ferment 2007 2 mm square section stainless steel bar 273 × 177 × 211 cm © the artist Photograph by Stephen White
Strategic Partner
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SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS SOMETHING NEW MUST TURN UP: SIX SINGAPOREAN ARTISTS AFTER 1965 Closing on 22 Aug | City Hall Wing, Level 3, Singtel Special Exhibition Gallery Something New Must Turn Up: Six Singaporean Artists After 1965 is a joint exhibition of six solo presentations that explore and compare the artistic practices of Singaporean artists Chng Seok Tin (莊心珍), Goh Beng Kwan (吴珉权), Jaafar Latiff, Lin Hsin Hsin (林欣欣), Mohammad Din Mohammad ( ) and Eng Tow (杜瑛). Each of them actively expanded the boundaries of art in post-independence Singapore by striving to be continuously new. They all undertook explorations in diverse media, ranging from collage, printmaking and installation to batik, textiles and digital art.
Installation view of Chng Seok Tin: Drawn Through a Press.
Installation view of Goh Beng Kwan: Nervous City.
Installation view of Jaafar Latiff: In the Time of Textile.
CHNG SEOK TIN: Drawn Through a Press
GOH BENG KWAN: Nervous City
JAAFAR LATIFF: In the Time of Textile
Chng Seok Tin (1946–2019) was extremely prolific over the last six decades, and has become synonymous with printmaking in Singapore, in spite of the loss of clear vision due to an accident in 1988. She lived in various cities across Europe and North America, before returning back to Singapore and was involved in numerous group exhibitions both abroad and at home.
Goh Beng Kwan (1937–) was one of the earliest post-war artists in Singapore to travel to the United States to pursue an art education at the Art Students League of New York. Today, Goh is recognised for his contributions in collage, particularly for using cultural materials and motifs to explore issues around cultural representation, urbanism, and identity.
Jaafar Latiff (1937–2007) was an abstract artist known for his trailblazing approach in renewing the batik medium. A selftaught artist, he was also a lifelong art educator teaching in institutions such as Baharuddin Vocational Institute, LASALLE College of the Arts and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. He integrated the conventional techniques of batik with his abstract style, invigorating the medium for a contemporary audience.
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Installation view of Lin Hsin Hsin @ speedofthought. Copyright © 2021. Lin Hsin Hsin. All Rights Reserved. Mobile~tainment®, Frog®.
Installation view of Mohammad Din Mohammad: The Mistaken Ancestor.
Installation view of Eng Tow–the sixth sense.
LIN HSIN HSIN @speed of thought
MOHAMMAD DIN MOHAMMAD: The Mistaken Ancestor
ENG TOW–the sixth sense
Lin Hsin Hsin (林欣欣) is an IT visionary and inventor as well as an artist, poet and composer. She has explored diverse media in her five-decade-long career, and is most noted for her ground-breaking forays into media tools and techniques. Ahead of her own time, she launched the first virtual museum in the world in 1994 and made the decisive move to discard traditional ways of painting by creating new technological paradigms since 1994.
Lead Partner
Mohammad Din Mohammad (1955–2007) studied at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. He was an artist, traditional healer, guru silat (Malay martial arts master), writer and collector of Southeast Asian objects. Above all he was a Sufi mystic. This mystical form of Islam deeply informed all aspects of his life and art. His artworks harnessed the different facets of Sufi mysticism for the rejuvenation of the human body and spirit in contemporary Singapore.
Eng Tow (1947–) is an interdisciplinary artist whose works span diverse media from cloth, paper to bronze. Her knowledge and dexterity with these materials stems from the experiences she has accumulated through a life of extensive travel–from her studies in the United Kingdom where she gained a firm grounding in the Bauhaus praxis, to her overseas residencies. Drawn to the ever-changing character of nature, many of her works manifest and channel the metaphysical beauty and inexplicable forces around us.
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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SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS GEORGETTE CHEN: AT HOME IN THE WORLD Closing 26 Sep | City Hall Wing, Level 4 Gallery and Wu Guanzhong Gallery
Georgette Chen. East Coast Vendor. 1960. Oil on canvas. 92 × 73 cm.
Uncover the fascinating story of Georgette Chen, a key figure in the development of modern art in Singapore. The first museum retrospective of the artist in more than 20 years, this exhibition features her most significant works alongside a wealth of newly discovered archival materials. 16
CLOSING ON 22 26 SEP
Get the most out of your visit Access additional content to enhance your experience. Listen to an audio tour To mark its fifth anniversary, the Gallery is extending the positive impact of art to diverse communities. Audio tours of the exhibition are available in Singapore’s four national languages – English, 中文, Bahasa Melayu and தமிழ். Download the Gallery explorer app or visit nationalgallery.sg/georgettechen to access the audio tours. Converse with a chatbot Gain a deeper insight into the artist and her works by engaging in a dialogue with Chatbot Arthena. Combining artificial intelligence with guided conversations, the chatbot is accessible before, during and after your visit. Search for “Chatbot Arthena” in Facebook Messenger or visit m.me/chatbotarthena to chat with Arthena.
Strategic Partner
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SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS THE GIFT: COLLECTING ENTANGLEMENTS AND EMBODIED HISTORIES
NEW
Organised by the Singapore Art Museum Opens 20 Aug | City Hall Wing, Level B1, The Ngee Ann Kongsi Concourse Gallery
Gabriel Barredo One 1999 Mixed media 69.5 × 57.7 × 17.4 cm Collection of Singapore Art Museum
The Gift is one of four exhibitions to emerge from Collecting Entanglements and Embodied Histories, a curatorial dialogue between four museums in Europe and Southeast Asia. The presentation examines the nature of relations, affinities, and influence through the subject of gifting. The gesture of giving and return is both familiar and ambiguous. The Gift explores the tangible and intangible in the offer, which is at once an embodiment of the expansiveness of the spirit and an obligation to another. Collecting Entanglements and Embodied Histories is a collaborative venture between Singapore Art Museum, Galeri Nasional Indonesia, MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum and Nationalgalerie — Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, initiated by the Goethe-Institut. The exhibitions are curated by June Yap, Grace Samboh, Gridthiya Gaweewong and Anna-Catharina Gebbers.
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OUTBOUND Ongoing | Various locations
nationalgallery.sg/outbound #outboundsg
Gary Carsley (b. 1957, Australia) with Jeremy Chu (b. 1973, Singapore) at their co-created installation The Regency Made Me Blind (2018), an OUTBOUND commission by National Gallery Singapore. Laser print on photocopier paper, latex print on self-adhesive vinyl, UV print on backlit film rendered as mechanised roller blinds, UV laminated C-print applied to IKEA Gilbert chair. An OUTBOUND commission by National Gallery Singapore.
This stairway “garden” is made with digitally composited photographs of botanical gardens in Hanoi, Manila, Bogor, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, all of which have colonial origins. Bands of colours mimicking Regency era stripes were later superimposed on the images. These were then printed on roller blinds, self-adhesive vinyl and more than 5,000 sheets of coloured A4 photocopier paper that the artists reverently applied to the walls. This meditative labour is inspired by the meticulous gold leafing of the interiors of sacred places, and is also evoked by the Tibetan Buddhist mantras on the walls which symbolically cleanse passing visitors of negative karma. OUTBOUND is a series of unique commissions that imaginatively transforms 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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LONG–TERM EXHIBITIONS CITY HALL: IF WALLS COULD TALK Closing 29 Aug | City Hall Wing, Level 3, City Hall Chamber
Experience City Hall: If Walls Could Talk online at nationalgallery.sg/cityhall.
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CLOSING ON 29 AUG
City Hall, formerly known as the Municipal Building, has had a rich and colourful history since its completion in 1929. From colony to city-state, the monument has witnessed key moments in the country’s history, such as the surrender of the Japanese in 1945 and the swearing-in of Singapore’s first cabinet in 1959. City Hall: If Walls Could Talk takes visitors through the pivotal moments that happened within the walls of this building. The exhibition brings history to life through captivating multimedia projections, interactive content and rich storytelling.
SCAN TO VIEW THE ONLINE EXHIBITION
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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.
Chen Wen Hsi Returning from Market 1960s Oil on canvas 91.3 × 106.6 cm
Chen Wen Hsi draws on his study of Chinese ink painting and influences from Cubism in his scene, composed of a mixture of bold lines and geometric blocks of contrasting colours. The women appear to be having a conversation as they return from the market, clothed in colourful dresses with intricate patterns. Chen is known for his experimental ways of depicting local subject matters—like the ubiquitous market—with painting styles from diverse art movements. On display in DBS Singapore Gallery 1.
Yusman Aman Structure l 1972 Batik 114.8 × 89.5 cm
Yusman Aman was a self-taught artist who was known for his inventive approach to batik. Structure l demonstrates the artist’s innovative use of the medium to develop abstract forms. In this painting, Yusman exploits the opacity of dyes to create a complex composition of interlocking angular shapes. Yusman practiced actively in Singapore, and this work was exhibited at the seminal artist-run space Alpha Gallery as part of his solo show there in 1973. On display in DBS Singapore Gallery 2.
The DBS Singapore Gallery is made possible with the support of DBS Bank. 22
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. The work 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. 23
LONG–TERM EXHIBITIONS 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, 36:00 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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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 at the App Store and Google Play store or borrow a device from Tour Services at Level 1, Padang Atrium Counter. Made possible with the support of the Gallery’s Innovation Partner Accenture. For more information, please visit nationalgallery.sg/unrealised.
SCAN TO DOWNLOAD APP
Left to right Courtesy of the National Museum of Singapore, National Heritage Board. | Yusof Ishak Collection, courtesy of Please note earphones are required National Archives of Singapore. | Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore. | to experience unrealised. The Hebblewhite Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.
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SPECIAL PROGRAMMES PAINTING WITH LIGHT 2021: FESTIVAL OF INTERNATIONAL FILMS ON ART 2–25 Jul
PENDING PWL LOGO HERE
Film still from Talking the Pictures / Katsuben! by Suo Masayuki
The Gallery’s festival of international films on art returns this July for its 4th edition. Now in a hybrid format, Painting with Light will present over 50 feature-length and short films both online and at various locations throughout the Gallery. The festival will offer audiences new ways of experiencing a range of films, including ones which have won awards or will be shown in Singapore for the first time. These screenings will be accompanied by dialogues with curators, artists, and filmmakers. This edition of Painting with Light celebrates the notion of creating and remaking something. This theme is embodied by the progressive and experimental spirit of the artists and filmmakers whose works will be shown, and by the continued global effort to navigate new norms. To find out more about this new edition of the festival and view its full line-up of films and programmes, visit paintingwithlight.nationalgallery.sg.
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NEW
Special Programmes
WHAT'S NEW IN THIS EDITION
Screenings at the Supreme Court Terrace For the first time, audiences can now enjoy Painting with Light screenings under the stars at the Supreme Court Terrace. Available exclusively during the festival’s opening and closing weekends, audiences are invited to discover two feature-length films that tell stories of love for art and its community. These include the local premieres of Talking the Pictures by Suo Masayuki and Serendipity by Prune Nourry.
Film still from Cunningham by Alla Kovgan
Film still from One After Another by Chew Chia Shao Min
The Gallery’s first-ever 3D film showcase Painting with Light presents its inaugural 3D film screening. Tracing the artistic evolution of legendary American choreographer Merce Cunningham over three decades of risk-taking and discovery between 1944 to 1972, Cunningham is a breathtaking explosion of dance, music, and never-before-seen archival material. The film takes the audience on a visceral journey through his visionary work. Exclusive Film Commissions This series of exclusive film commissions produced in tandem with the exhibition Something New Must Turn Up: Six Singaporean Artists After 1965 will deepen audience’s understanding of the exhibition, while also initiating new discourses. These experimental works by Singapore filmmakers respond to what the six artists in the exhibition present as “new,” exploring their works and key aspects of their artistic practices. These screenings will be accompanied by insightful post-screening dialogues. 27
SPECIAL PROGRAMMES STR FIR ION U O EDIT ORE EXPL HYBRID R EVE
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21 MAY 20
22
DEC 20
In these ever changing times, empower your child with a renewed sense of empathy and confidence through the imaginative power of art and play. Interact with nine artworks which explore the themes of home, environment, time and diversity while igniting curiosity, building character and having a whole lot of fun! This hybrid edition will be double the fun, featuring online works and on-site installations by nine renowned artists. Your child will discover new ways of creating digital art, be it through the swipe of a finger or encountering immersive installations at the Gallery. Check out the online festival now at www.childrensbiennale.com and don’t forget to visit the Gallery from 4 September to enjoy the on-site works!
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Online festival is now live. On-site* festival opens 4 Sep
Don't miss these highlights! Calling for Rain by Khvay Samnang
On-site*
Calling for Rain takes us on a journey through the landscapes of Cambodia as it follows The Monkey on his quest to save the dying forest and its surrounding environment. The story unfolds as he falls in love with The Fish, and encounters the irresponsible behaviour of The Fire Dragon. Through this work, children will learn about the need to care for our environment.
Illuminated by Nona Garcia On-site*
Illuminated is composed of digital X-ray images of organic objects such as bones and sea coral that make up our diverse environment. As kids explore these objects, they will come to understand that every living and non-living things is unique.
Superstar by Jeremy Sharma Artist Jeremy Sharma created Superstar, a clickable speculative world, together with his two sons. As kids enter andr navigate this installation, they are invited to rethink the past, present and future. Development Partner
On-site*
Strategic Partner
*artist’s rendering for illustrative purposes only
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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 GEORGETTE CHEN: AT HOME IN THE WORLD AND WU GUANZHONG: LEARNING FROM THE MASTER English Thu–Sun 11.30am | Mandarin Sat–Sun 2pm
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
SOMETHING NEW MUST TURN UP: SIX SINGAPOREAN ARTISTS AFTER 1965 English Thu–Sun 2pm | Mandarin Sat–Sun 1.30pm
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.
GEORGETTE CHEN: AT HOME IN THE WORLD Sun 19 Sep | 4–5.15pm | Level 4 Gallery, City Hall Wing | Registration is required
WU GUANZHONG: LEARNING FROM THE MASTER Sat 25 Sep | 11–11.45am | Level 4 Gallery, City Hall Wing | Registration is required
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 X 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 ART + LIVE Art + Live is a series of online programmes on movement, music and literature. All programmes will be streamed on the Gallery’s Facebook page.
RESONATES WITH Sat | 2.30–3pm and 4pm Our monthly concert series invites young and professional musicians to respond to the themes found in our artworks and exhibitions. The sessions will also be available on our Facebook page after the livestream. Upcoming The Philippine Madrigal Singers for Between concerts: Declaration and Dreams: Art of Southeast Asia since the 19th Century (online) 24 Jul Jeremy Monteiro for Something New Must Turn Up: Six Singaporean Artists After 1965 31 Jul
Leaism for Between Declaration and Dreams: Art of Southeast Asia since the 19th Century (online) 21 Aug Fauxe for ANTONY GORMLEY 28 Aug
LittleCr3atures for Gallery Children's Biennale 2021: Why Art Matters 4 Sep
Singapore National Youth Orchestra for Gallery Children’s Biennale 2021: Why Art Matters 25 Sep 32
LIVE PERFORMANCES 为什么要走出黑暗 (WALK DARKNESS WALK) BY LA TRISTESSE OPERA Sat 10 Jul | 4pm, 7pm | Singapore Courtyard, Level 2, City Hall Wing Led by Tang Da Wu, the performance is a response to all dead artists. Chng Seok Tin and Tan Kian Por passed away at the same time, Lee Wen a few months before. All three artists were Cultural Medallion recipients. The performance also remembers Jaafar Latiff and Mohammad Din Mohammad. La Tristesse Opera made this performance to remind us that life is precious; that we must make good use of what time we have now, and to be kind to each other.
Performances
Nam June Paik, John Godfrey, Global Groove 1973 Video, colour, sound 28 min, 30 sec Courtesy of Electronic Art Intermix (EAI), New York.
AFTERLUDE-PRELUDE: RESPONSES TO NAM JUNE PAIK 17 Sep 2021 | 6am–1pm | Online 18 Sep 2021 | 3–9pm | Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium Prompted by Nam June Paik’s own global satellite projects and the surge in remote communication during the current worldwide pandemic, Afterlude-Prelude is envisioned as a virtual stream and transmission from San Francisco to Singapore to London or Berlin. This circuit mirrors Paik’s journey from the East to Europe and then the United States and back. Inspired by Paik’s ideas and writing, this performance highlights his diverse reflections and texts as a part of a career that has previously been reduced to mere anecdotes and aphorisms.
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TALKS
WORDS FROM OUR TEACHER Beyond his career as an artist, Wu Guanzhong was also a dedicated art educator who kept his students close to his heart. My Two Students — The Story of Zhong Shuheng and Liu Jude is the first of several pieces of writing between Wu and his students that have been translated from Mandarin to English for the first time. It is available to read online at: www.nationalgallery.sg/exhibitions/wu-guanzhong-learning-from-the-master.
PODCAST: THE PADANG SESSIONS Follow The Padang Sessions on Spotify or Apple Podcasts now and listen to our audio archive of lectures, panels and conversations recorded live in the Gallery, whenever and wherever you are. Join us as we chart the art of Southeast Asia and beyond, one voice at a time.
IN-GALLERY SESSIONS Join us every third Saturday of the month and listen to Gallery curators, artists and practitioners discuss the processes and narratives behind selected works in an intimate setting. This series is held in the DBS Singapore Gallery and the UOB Southeast Asia Gallery, and prompts closer examination of artworks that are on display. Registration is required. 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 20 Jul and Mon 9 Aug. *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.
ACCESS OVER 4,000 ARTWORKS AND 7,000 ARCHIVAL MATERIALS
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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
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM WORKSHOP
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.
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4+
YEARS
ART PLAYSCAPE
Run across the padded floor, clap your hands as loud as you can, or move your arms in each of the specific zones! What will happen next? Surrounded by swirling brushstrokes created by Singapore artist Yeo Shih Yun, revel in the energy of ink splatters in this lively space as you embark on your own Ink-credible Adventure!
4+
YEARS
PROJECT GALLERY
What does the yellow cage-like structure remind you of? What about the large wooden installation? In this space filled with larger-than-life objects, artist Zainudin Samsuri invites children to explore and go on a journey of imagination and wonder.
4+
YEARS
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
What is a sculpture? What tools does a sculptor need to create one? Enter our Sculpture Studio to discover the processes behind sculpturemaking and create a virtual sculpture of your own at our interactive kiosks! For more information, please visit www.nationalgallery.sg/gallerykids. Kids & Schools
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!
3
e asy s teps
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 through a gift by Keppel Corporation. 37
KIDS’ PROGRAMMES & ACTIVITIES Enjoy family programmes that use the Gallery’s collection to introduce young ones to art. Designed in collaboration with artists and art practitioners, our programmes aim to develop a sense of curiosity and imagination in children. To receive the latest programme information, sign up to our mailing list at the Keppel Centre for Art Education reception counters or 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
Sat–Sun 10–11, 24–25 Jul, 14–15, 28–29 Aug | 11–12, 25–26 Sep | 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
Sat–Sun 3–4, 17 –18 Jul, 7–8, 21–22 Aug | 4–5, 18–19 Sep | 2.30v–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.
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OTHER KIDS’ ACTIVITIES 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 E-Learning Packs are available for teachers who wish to continue engaging students about our artwork collection in the classroom. Museum-based Learning Tours Guided tours facilitated by museum educators invite students to learn more about the artwork collection through active discussions. On-site guided tours and virtual tours are available for registration. For more information, please email school.bookings@nationalgallery.sg.
EDUCATORS’ PROGRAMMES The Gallery offers a variety of programmes to support educators in connecting students with art. These programmes are designed to develop visual literacy, art interpretive skills and museum-based educational strategies. Email school.bookings@nationalgallery.sg to join our mailing list.
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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 now 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 City Hall Wing, Level 1 Daily 10am–7pm
The Gallery Store 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 PUBLIC EIGHT 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 Shopping & Dining
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. NEW DINING EXPERIENCE UNVEILING City Hall Wing, Level 1
Check website for latest updates.
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GALLERY PUBLICATIONS CHNG SEOK TIN: DRAWN THROUGH A PRESS ENG TOW: THE SIXTH SENSE GOH BENG KWAN: NERVOUS CITY JAAFAR LATIFF: IN THE TIME OF TEXTILE MOHAMMAD DIN MOHAMMAD: THE MISTAKEN ANCESTOR Paperback | 80 pages | $26.75 (inclusive of GST) each Published on the occasion of the Something New Must Turn Up: Six Singaporean Artists after 1965 exhibition, each standalone catalogue traces the individual journeys that these artists undertook as they strove to be continuously “new.” By bringing together essays, interviews, full-coloured plates and archival material, the series offers a comparative perspective of how artists critically engaged with the conditions of multiculturalism, developmentalism and modernisation in post-independence Singapore. The catalogue for one of the six artists in the exhibition, Lin Hsin Hsin, is presented digitally on the Gallery’s website in accordance with the artist’s digital practice. GEORGETTE CHEN: AT HOME IN THE WORLD Hardback | Approx. 208 pages | $53.50 (inclusive of GST) | ISBN: 978-981-14-4922-2 Paris, Shanghai and New York: Georgette Chen, one of Singapore’s foremost artists, once counted these cultural capitals as home and cut her teeth as a painter there. Chen eventually found in Singapore “a veritable paradise,” enchanted by its tropical climes and unexpected forms. These remarkable and cosmopolitan life experiences have informed Chen’s uniquely syncretic artistic practice and aesthetic style. With over 100 full-colour image 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.
Georgette Chen. Self Portrait. c. 1946. Oil on canvas, 22.5 × 17.5 cm. Gift of Lee Foundation.
THE GIFT: COLLECTING ENTANGLEMENTS AND EMBODIED HISTORIES Published by Singapore Art Museum | Paperback | Approx. 116 pages | ISBN: 978-981-18-0923-1 | $37.35 (inclusive of GST) 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. Collecting Entanglements and Embodied Histories 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. Each institution will stage an edition of the exhibition and carry its own publication. 42
HISTORY AND IMAGINATION: MODERN PHOTOGRAPHY FROM SINGAPORE Paperback | Approx. 116 pages | ISBN: 978-981-18-0631-5 | $37.45 (inclusive of GST) History and Imagination 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, scholarly essays and full-colour plates trace how their images parallel a newfound search for independence from British rule and the anxieties of modernity.
Tan Lip Seng. Z. 1970, reprinted in 2017. Digital print on archival paper, 50 × 33 cm. This acquisition was made possible with donations to the Art Adoption & Acquisition Programme.
AWESOME ART THAILAND: 10 WORKS FROM THE LAND OF THE SMILING ELEPHANT THAT EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW Paperback | 64 pages | $19.30 (inclusive of GST) | ISBN: 978-981-14-8425-4 From painting and sculpture to photography and installation, Thailand has an array of art ready for you to discover! Follow Chang the elephant through the art history of this rich and diverse country, and have your pen and paper at the ready for crafts and activities along the way. For readers aged 9 and up, the Awesome Art series represents the Gallery’s continued commitment towards presenting and advancing the art historical discourse of Southeast Asia.
PERSPECTIVES Our online weekly magazine for views, conversations, research and behind-the-scenes insights, Perspectives is a discursive space and resource for Southeast Asian art. Find out more at nationalgallery.sg/magazine. FREE-TO-DOWNLOAD ZINES Check out our new zine series, Another Initial Impetus, which explores the legacies of the seminal Alpha Gallery. The first three issues feature pioneering architect Datuk Sri Lim Chong Keat, culinary doyenne Violet Oon and interdisciplinary artist Michael Lee. Visit nationalgallery.sg/zines to download these new mobile-friendly zines to read on the go, or print and bind them at home.
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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 and Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Gallery. Purchase your tickets in advance at tickets.nationalgallery.sg and quickstart your Gallery experience by scanning your confirmation QR at our Pass Dispensers on arrival. Note: Not applicable to Concession tickets.
TICKET TYPE
S TA N D A R D
General Admission
$20
SCAN TO PURCHASE TICKETS
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*
Special T I C K E T Exhibition TYPE
S TA$15 NDARD
LO$25 C A L*
-
$30
All Access Pass (General Admissions + Special Exhibition)
$5 CONCE SSION FOR:
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^ • Persons with disabilities (PWD) and their caregiver
• Overseas students and teachers^ * 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: • Something New Must Turn Up: Six Singaporean Artists After 1965 • Georgette Chen: At Home in the World • Wu Guanzhong: Learning from the Master • City Hall: If Walls Could Talk • Siapa Nama Kamu? Art in Singapore Since The 19th Century • Between Declarations and Dreams: Art of Southeast Asia Since 19th Century • Law of the Land: Highlights of Singapore's Constitutional Documents • The Gift: Collecting Entanglements and Embodied Histories 44
GALLERY INSIDER MEMBERSHIP Enjoy up to $120 in value 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 Insider-Only events
Shopping & dining privileges
MEMBERSHIP TYPE
S TA N DA R D
LO C A L*
Individual
$60
$30
Concession (Students/Seniors)
$50
$25
*Rates for locals apply to Singaporeans and PRs For more information, please scan the QR code below or email membership@nationalgallery.sg membership@nationalgallery.sg.
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Visit Us
SCAN TO SIGN UP
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, 112 × 153 cm.
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 giving.sg/national-gallery-singapore. 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
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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
