Director’s Message

ABOUT THE GALLERY

UNVEILING MODERN SINGAPORE AND SOUTHEAST ASIAN ART

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 Chong Siak Ching Rosa Daniel Goh Kok Huat Maimoonah Hussain Shareen Khattar Lee Tung Jean Panote Sirivadhanabhakdi Doris Sohmen-Pao Professor Tan Chorh Chuan Whang Shang Ying Danny Yong 2016:

BREAKTHROUGH CONTRIBUTION TO TOURISM BEST ATTRACTION EXPERIENCE BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR ATTRACTIONS

2018:

BEST MARKETING IDEA

2020:

BEST LEISURE EVENT

2022:

OUTSTANDING LEISURE EVENT OUTSTANDING MARKETING IDEA

DIRECTOR’S

MESSAGE

Dear friends,

Now that Singapore has almost fully emerged from the pandemic, we at the Gallery are grateful to see so many of you returning to experience art in person.

We welcomed kids and families back to the Gallery for onsite activations of the Gallery Children’s Biennale, the first with physical installations in almost two years. The hybrid Children’s Biennale gives children and the young at heart the opportunity to learn and play both at home and in the Gallery, truly exemplifying the Biennale’s theme, “Why Art Matters.”

Also in the Gallery is Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia, a landmark exhibition that offers a rare and comprehensive look at Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and culture. Works on display have been drawn from the collections of the National Gallery of Australia and Wesfarmers Collection of Australian Art, highlighting the deep interconnections between past and present, between peoples of the region and the extraordinary artistic innovation that we have the privilege of appreciating in the Gallery today.

Another window to the world around us is Wu Guanzhong: Travelling with the Master, our firstever exhibition co-created by curators and docents, and the sixth edition of the Wu Guanzhong exhibition series. Through a selection of 47 artworks from the National Collection and rare archival materials, the exhibition sheds light on the journeys that inspired Wu’s practice and invites audiences to access his artworks through recollections of their own travels. Chua Mia Tee: Directing the Real brings us back home to Singapore, for audiences to connect with the Singapore of yesteryear through art.

Nothing is Forever: Rethinking Sculpture in Singapore also gives us a reflexive look back—this time, on seminal sculptures from art museums and public spaces in Singapore since the 19th century. This extensive survey of sculpture-making practices explores how artists have broken the mould of expectations surrounding the medium and how their innovations have impacted our artistic landscape.

A new exhibition in December likewise focuses on a medium known to us all: photography. Highlighting photography’s power to shape how we see the world and ourselves, Living Pictures: Photography in Southeast Asia charts the history and evolution of photography in the region. From its use as a tool for exploration to its functions within social media and virtual reality, as well as its new and emerging forms in 3D art installations and more, expect to encounter photography through a new and refreshing lens.

We are excited to have audiences coming back our spaces and thank you all once again for another enriching year of art. We look forward to welcoming you in 2023 for many more surprising encounters. Here’s wishing you and all your loved ones a wonderful festive season.