Special Exhibitions

NOTHING IS FOREVER: RETHINKING SCULPTURE IN SINGAPORE

Opening on 28 Jul | City Hall Wing, Level B1, Ngee Ann Concourse Gallery and The Spine Hall

Tan Teng Kee. Fire Sculpture. 1979. Metal, wood and newspaper, dimensions variable. Normanton Estate, Singapore. Digitised by National Gallery Singapore Library & Archive with kind permission from Tan Teng Kee. RC-M2-TTK1.1-3.

What defines sculpture?

Step into a world of three-dimensional art in Nothing is Forever: Rethinking Sculpture in Singapore—the first exploration of Singaporean sculpture in three decades. Tracing its history since the 19th century, the exhibition presents over 70 surprising works spanning religious, participative, installative, and even performative forms. The exhibition reveals the ever-changing nature of sculpture and how ideas around making and thinking about this medium have shifted. Nothing is Forever entrenches sculpture as an essential practice as it highlights how sculpture drove new ways of thinking about art in Singapore, and the lasting impacts it has made on our artistic landscape.

NEW

Jimmy Ong. Seamstress Raffles. 2016. Cotton and Dacron stuffing, 120 × 45 × 30 cm. Collection of the artist.

SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS

WU GUANZHONG: TRAVELLING WITH THE MASTER

Opening on 9 Jul | City Hall Wing, Level 4, Wu Guanzhong Gallery

NEW

Wu Guanzhong. Pandas. 1992. Chinese ink and colour on paper, 122 × 247 cm. Gift of the artist.

Wu Guanzhong: Travelling with the Master is the first exhibition at the Gallery to be co-created by long-serving docents and Gallery. Applying their knowledge of Wu Guanzhong’s art and biography, together with personal stories about works by this modern ink master, a selection of works that were generously donated by the artist and his family to Singapore’s National Collection is featured alongside a compilation of archival materials.

Organised into four thematic sections—Daydreaming, Exploring, Beyond the Horizon and Rhapsodies—this exhibition explores Wu’s conceptual, physical and emotional journeys. Visitors are invited to approach and understand this master’s works with their own senses and be inspired by his art and spirit, just like how the docent-curators have through their individual experiences as docents and museum volunteers.

CHUA MIA TEE: DIRECTING THE REAL

Ongoing | City Hall Wing, Level 4 Gallery

Chua Mia Tee Portable Cinema 1977 Oil on canvas 78.5 × 79.4 cm Gift of Times Publishing Limited

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 strove for economic success. Chua's depictions of the city and its inhabitants offer insight into Singapore’s ambition for progress and the diverse groups of people who have contributed to its story.

Strategic Partner

SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS

EVER PRESENT: FIRST PEOPLES ART OF AUSTRALIA

Closing on 25 Sep | City Hall Wing, Level 3, Singtel Special Exhibition Gallery

Rover Thomas [Joolama], Kukatja/Wangkajunga peoples, Cyclone Tracy, 1991, natural earth pigments and binder on canvas, 168 × 180 cm, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased 1991 © Rover Thomas [Joolama]/Copyright Agency, 2022

In Partnership with

CLOSING SOON

Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Anmatyerre people, Yam awely, 1995, synthetic polymer paint on canvas, 152 × 490 × 4 cm, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, gift of the Delmore Collection, Donald and Janet Holt 1995, © Emily Kame Kngwarreye/Copyright Agency, 2022

Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia surveys historical and contemporary works by over 150 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from across Australia—the largest exhibition of its kind to travel to Asia. Drawn from the collections of the National Gallery of Australia and The Wesfarmers Collection of Australian Art, the artworks show deep interconnections between past and present, as well as extraordinary artistic innovation.

Ever Present celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, while also grappling with Australia’s complex histories. Art emerges as a tool of resistance, asserting deep connections to country, as well as using wit and satire to confront viewers and encourage conversations about critical issues in the world today. The works challenge stereotypes about First Nations people and what defines their art.

This exhibition explores key aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander life and culture, arranged thematically to highlight connections to land, community and ceremony, as well as experiences of colonisation and resistance. The exhibition also draws out links with Southeast Asia, connecting First People’s art from Australia to the broader history of this region.

Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia is presented by National Gallery Singapore in partnership with National Gallery of Australia and Wesfarmers Arts.

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