THE GALLERY GUIDE O C T– D EC 2018
Cover image: Tatsuo Miyajima Mega Death 1996/2016 LED, IC, infrared wire and electric sensor Dimensions variable Domus Collection © Domus Collection and Tatsuo Miyajima Installation view at Tatsuo Miyajima: Connect with Everything, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, 2016 On display in Minimalism: Space. Light. Object. from 16 November.
Facing page (top to bottom): Mona Hatoum. Impenetrable. 2009. Black-finished steel and fishing wire. 300 x 300 x 300 cm. Collection of Yuz Foundation. Installation view at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Doha. © Mona Hatoum; courtesy of Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art; photo by Markus Elblaus. Wu Guanzhong. Falling Flowers (落红). 2007. Chinese ink and colour on paper. 94.8 x 176 cm. Gift of the artist. Elmgreen & Dragset.
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 Sep 2018. All information is correct at time of print.
CO NTE NT S
OCT–DEC 2018
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2
About the Gallery
3
Director’s Message
4
Art We Love
6
Highlights Calendar
Exhibitions
8
Long-Term Exhibitions
11 Special Exhibitions
Tours
16 Daily Tours 17 Curator Tours 17 Group Tours
17 Gallery Explorer Audio Tours 18 Special Events 20 Performances 23 Talks & Workshops 25 Resource Centre
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Kids & Schools
26 Keppel Centre for Art Education 28 Kids’ Programmes & Activities 30 Shopping & Dining 34 Gallery Publications 37 Ticketing Information 38 General Information
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40 Support the Gallery
Visit Us
ABOUT THE
GALLERY U N V E I LI N G M O D E R N S I N G A P O R E A N D SOU TH E A S T A S I A N A R T National Gallery Singapore is a visual arts institution which oversees the largest public collection of the modern art of Singapore and Southeast Asia. Situated in the heart of the Civic District, the Gallery is housed in two national monuments— City Hall and former Supreme Court—that have been beautifully restored and transformed into this exciting venue. Reflecting Singapore’s unique heritage and geographical location, the Gallery features Singapore and Southeast Asian art from Singapore’s National Collection in its long-term and special exhibitions. The Gallery also works with international museums to jointly present Southeast Asian art in a global context, positioning Singapore as a regional and international hub for the visual arts.
BOARD MEMBERS Hsieh Fu Hua (Chairman) Jose Isidro N. (Lito) Camacho Chang Hwee Nee Chew Choon Seng Chong Siak Ching Jennie Chua Rosa Daniel Shareen Khattar Dr Kenson Kwok Professor Dr Apinan Poshyananda Wee Sin Tho Whang Shang Ying 2
DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
Dear friends, The Singapore visual arts scene has witnessed an exciting flurry of activity this year. While the Gallery is committed to telling the story of Singapore and Southeast Asia, we recognise that this endeavour can only be achieved together with the many organisations and museums in our local art ecosystem. I have been heartened by the burgeoning of ground-up initiatives by independent organisations and curators recently. These open up conversations on Singapore’s story with people who do not know much about art, or have never been to a museum. One of our curators, Cheng Jia Yun, co-curated a show in an unoccupied retail space at Upper Serangoon Shopping Centre in January where curious onlookers on their way to restaurants in the shopping mall could encounter works by local artists Susie Wong and Sookon Ang. In September, The Substation ran a mini festival that delved into our disappearing spaces and lost heritage. Many new multi-use art spaces have also opened to provide more platforms for small-scale exhibitions, including the Telok Ayer Arts Club and 21Moonstone. In the same way that the Gallery is part of a wider ecosystem, we recognise that the art of Singapore is deeply entwined with that of the region. One of our goals is to develop programmes that enhance the art of Southeast Asia. The Gallery has dedicated a day to Southeast Asian Art on 6 October. Art in Southeast Asia: In Transition expands on global concerns surrounding migration and the diasporic experience, exploring why people leave, and where we belong. Our annual Painting with Light: Festival of International Films on Art also returns in October. 40 films screened over three weeks trace the ways that individuals and communities have been moved by the power of art to transform their situations. Our special exhibition this quarter, Minimalism: Space. Light. Object. similarly introduces a key global art movement of the 20th century to local audiences, while locating Asia and Southeast Asia’s place within it. It looks at Minimal art from multiple points of origin, moving beyond the United States to Japan, Korea, Europe and Australia. It also considers Minimalism’s legacies in contemporary art across the world today, including Southeast Asia. We invite you to experience all of this and more at National Gallery Singapore.
Eugene Tan Director, National Gallery Singapore 3
ART WE LOVE
Lim Cheng Hoe. The Estuary. c. 1970. Watercolour on paper. 37.5 x 51cm. Gift of Michael Lim Hock Ann. © Family of Lim Cheng Hoe. On display in Lim Cheng Hoe: Painting Singapore at the Level 4 Gallery, City Hall Wing.
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DID YOU KNOW? In this landscape scene, Singapore’s leading plein-air (outdoor) watercolourist Lim Cheng Hoe (1912–1979) masterfully captures the atmospheric effects in the sky by using a combination of techniques. One of these techniques is wet-on-wet, where wet paint is applied on soaked paper to allow the colours to mix organically.
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HIGHLIGHTS CALENDAR OCTOBER Film still from Megalodemocrat by Benjamin Duffield.
5 FRI
6 SAT
SPECIAL EVENT OPENS (p. 18)
SPECIAL EVENT (p. 19)
Painting With Light: Festival of International Films on Art
Art in Southeast Asia: In Transition
NOVEMBER
16 FRI 3–4 SAT–SUN
TALK & WORKSHOP (p. 23)
Demystifying Watercolour
SPECIAL EXHIBITION OPENS (p. 11)
Minimalism: Space. Light. Object. Mona Hatoum. Impenetrable. 2009. Black-finished steel and fishing wire. 300 x 300 x 300 cm. Collection of Yuz Foundation. Installation view at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Doha. © Mona Hatoum; courtesy of Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art; photo by Markus Elblaus.
DECEMBER
1–2 SAT–SUN PERFORMANCE (p. 21)
Trisha Brown’s Spanish Dance, Sticks and Leaning Duets restaged by LASALLE College of the Arts Other dates: 24–25 Nov Performance of Spanish Dance (1973) as part of the Trisha Brown: In Plain Site series at Contemporary Arts Center, New Orelans, 2017. Dancers (left to right): Kimberly Fulmer, Cecily Campbell, Leah Ives, Amanda Kmett’Pendry, Leah Morrison. © 2017 James Morgan Owens, courtesy of Trisha Brown Dance Company.
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NEW
6–7 SAT–SUN PERFORMANCE (p. 20)
20 SAT
From Frame to Body: Moving Visual Art Casually
TALK (p. 23)
Sir Nicholas Serota Speaks: The Art Museum as Forum Image courtesy of Belarmino&Partners. Photo by Chia Ming Chien.
27 SAT
SPECIAL EVENT (p. 19)
Film Seminar: Shifting Undergrounds in East and Southeast Asia
16 FRI TALK (p. 24)
Artist Talk: Elmgreen & Dragset
17 SAT TALKS (p. 24)
Guest Lecture: Joan Kee Artist Talk: Tadaaki Kuwayama Collaging Ancestries | Goh Beng Kwan in Conversation with Seng Yu Jin
Photo by Elmar Vestner.
15 SAT
TALK (p. 24)
Columns, Square Tubes and Synth: Women and Minimalism | In Conversation with Goh Sze Ying and Joleen Loh
29 SAT PERFORMANCE (p. 22)
Resonates With: Other dates: 27 Oct, 24 Nov Image courtesy of ADDO Chamber Orchestra.
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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 “Siapa Nama Kamu?” means “What is your name?” The inaugural exhibition of the DBS Singapore Gallery poses this question, inviting visitors to consider how art may relate to issues of self and community, and what it means to look at Singapore through its art. Siapa Nama Kamu? weaves together a rich and captivating narrative featuring artworks in a broadly chronological sequence, tracing Singapore’s art history from the 19th century to the present day. Drawing on almost 400 works, it explores the influences and practices that have shaped and transformed Singapore art.
Mohammed Abdul Kadir (S Mohdir). Mergastua. 1975. Acrylic on canvas. 121 x 75.5 cm. Gift of the artist.
Liu Kang Gallery Located within the DBS Singapore Gallery, this space commemorates pioneer artist Liu Kang’s role in the development of modern art in Singapore. In 2003, Liu Kang (1911–2004) and his wife Chen Jen Pin (1913–2009) generously donated close to 1,000 paintings and works on paper to the National Collection, forming the largest donation of a single artist’s work to the Collection to date.
On display at DBS Singapore Gallery 2.
The DBS Singapore Gallery is made possible through a gift by DBS Bank.
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Exhibitions
BETWEEN DECLARATIONS & DREAMS: Art of Southeast Asia since the 19th Century Ongoing | Supreme Court Wing, Levels 3–5, UOB Southeast Asia Gallery Housed in the former Supreme Court building, the UOB Southeast Asia Gallery presents over 300 artworks that trace the art history of Southeast Asia from the 19th century. The exhibition explores key turning points in artistic sensibilities, revealing how art is inseparably linked to the region’s tumultuous social and political history. Its title is inspired by one of Indonesia’s most cherished poets, Chairil Anwar. In his 1948 poem, "Krawang-Bekasi," Anwar laments the massacre of villagers in West Java by the Dutch colonial forces, giving vent to the desire for national independence at the time. This may also be said to encapsulate the experiences of many artists in the region, who were caught between declarations and dreams, the personal and the political. San Minn Age of Full Bloom 1979 Oil and metal chain on canvas 89 x 59 cm Image courtesy of San Minn On display at UOB Southeast Asia Gallery 10.
The UOB Southeast Asia Gallery is made possible through a gift by UOB. 9
LONG–TERM EXHIBITIONS LISTENING TO ARCHITECTURE: THE GALLERY’S HISTORIES AND TRANSFORMATIONS Ongoing | City Hall Wing, Level 4, ArchiGallery The architecture of the City Hall and former Supreme Court buildings may be imagined as an ongoing conversation between different generations across time. The inaugural exhibition at the ArchiGallery offers insights into the enduring histories and architectural designs of the two national monuments and their dramatic transformations into a home for Southeast Asian art. It also features never-before-seen artefacts excavated from the Gallery’s grounds, and a commissioned sonic artwork by artist Zai Tang that draws on the historical, social and spatial memories created in the buildings.
UNREALISED Ongoing | Accessible only via the Gallery Explorer App unrealised is a virtual experience, developed in dialogue with three artists— Heman Chong, Ho Tzu Nyen and Erika Tan. It tests the potentials of the digital image within the physical spaces of the Gallery’s long-term displays. To access unrealised, please borrow a Samsung tablet from Visitor Services at Level B1 or download the Gallery Explorer app at the App Store and Google Play store. Made possible with the support of the Gallery’s Innovation Partner Accenture. For more information, please visit www.nationalgallery.sg/unrealised.
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Ho Tzu Nyen's Timelines.
SCAN TO DOWNLOAD APP
Please note earphones are required to experience unrealised.
SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS NEW
MINIMALISM: SPACE. LIGHT. OBJECT. 16 Nov 2018–14 Apr 2019 | Level B1 Concourse Galleries and City Hall Wing, Level 3, Singtel Special Exhibition Gallery Minimalism: Space. Light. Object. is organised by National Gallery Singapore in collaboration with ArtScience Museum, Singapore. Minimalism was a turning point in the history of art. Through the use of simple, geometric forms and non-traditional materials, Minimalism shifted the way that we experience art: it made the physical encounter with the art work, and the space it occupies, increasingly important. This movement has had a profound influence not only on the visual arts, but also on music, performance, fashion, architecture and design. Minimalism: Space. Light. Object. looks at the emergence, development and legacies of Minimalism from the 1950s to the present day. It considers how artists in Asia, the United States and Europe have explored ideas of presence and absence, often informed by Asian philosophies such as Zen Buddhism. The exhibition features major works by over 60 artists, including Donald Judd, Mark Rothko, Mona Hatoum, Anish Kapoor, Ai Weiwei, Olafur Eliasson and Haegue Yang. Complete your experience at ArtScience Museum located at 6 Bayfront Avenue. Find out more at minimalism.sg. Mona Hatoum Impenetrable 2009 Black-finished steel and fishing wire 300 x 300 x 300 cm Collection of Yuz Foundation Installation view at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Doha Š Mona Hatoum; courtesy of Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art; photo by Markus Elblaus
Supporters of National Gallery Singapore Supported by
Held in
Lead Sponsors
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SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS WU GUANZHONG: EXPRESSIONS OF PEN & PALETTE Until 29 Sep 2019 | City Hall Wing, Level 4, Wu Guanzhong Gallery
Wu Guanzhong. Falling Flowers (落红). 2007. Chinese ink and colour on paper. 94.8 x 176 cm. Gift of the artist.
Wu Guanzhong (1919–2010) is one of the most significant Chinese painters of the 20th century, renowned for his innovative fusion of Chinese ink with Western modernism. He is also known for his writings on art and creativity. This exhibition explores the relationship between his artistic and literary creations by bringing together major works from Singapore's National Collection and major Southeast Asian private collections.
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LIM CHENG HOE: PAINTING SINGAPORE Until 9 Jun 2019 | City Hall Wing, Level 4 Gallery Lim Cheng Hoe (1912–1979) was the leading watercolour artist of his generation and co-founded the Singapore Watercolour Society. Largely self-taught, he studied painting under the then-art inspector of schools, Richard Walker, and honed his skills in the 1950s and 1970s by practicing and interacting with fellow artists during outdoor painting sessions. Beginning with the early days of his practice in the 1930s, this exhibition features over 60 artworks, sketches and archival materials that highlight Lim’s mastery of outdoor watercolour landscape painting.
Lim Cheng Hoe. [Not titled] (Pulau Saigon with a view of Supreme Court). 1971. Watercolour on paper. 36 x 48 cm. Gift of Low Cheng Hock. © Family of Lim Cheng Hoe.
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SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS NG TENG FONG ROOF GARDEN COMMISSION: RIRKRIT TIRAVANIJA Until 28 Oct | City Hall Wing, Level 5, Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Gallery | Free Critically acclaimed artist Rirkrit Tiravanija presents untitled 2018 (the infinite dimensions of smallness), the second project of the Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Commission series. This site-specific installation features a large-scale bamboo maze with a Japanese tea house at its centre. Drawing on regional materials, architecture and traditions, it embraces Tiravanija’s interest in cross-disciplinary and collaborative art practice. Within the space, visitors are invited to encounter each other, and participate in interactive programmes including tea ceremonies by local and international tea masters. Rirkrit Tiravanija (b. 1961, Buenos Aires, Argentina) lives and works in New York, Berlin, and Chiang Mai. Since the early 1990s, he has held solo exhibitions in international venues including Los Angeles County Museum (1999), Guggenheim Museum, New York (2005), Fridericianum, Kassel (2009), Centre Pompidou, Paris (2012), Garage Museum of Contemporary Art, Moscow (2015), and Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam (2016). He was awarded the Hugo Boss Prize in 2004. The Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Gallery is made possible through a gift by Far East Organization.
Series Sponsor
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LAW OF THE LAND: HIGHLIGHTS OF SINGAPORE’S CONSTITUTIONAL DOCUMENTS Ongoing | Supreme Court Wing, Level 3, Chief Justice's Chamber & Office
Organised by the National Archives of Singapore (NAS) and the National Library Board (NLB), this exhibition explores the history of Singapore’s constitutional development from a British settlement in 1819 to its emergence as a sovereign republic in 1965. It presents a selection of 23 rare documents from the NAS and NLB's collections, each capturing a key moment in Singapore's legal history and journey to independence.
Organised by
Third Charter of Justice, 1855 This document affirmed the reception of English law in Singapore and provided the settlement with its own professional judge (then known as a Recorder).
Supported by
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GALLERY TOURS 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, please register at least 20 minutes before the tour starts at the Daily Tours Desk on Level B1 (for opening hours, see p. 39). 20 slots are available per tour on a first come, first served basis. Visitors should obtain or purchase an admission ticket before joining a tour.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GALLERY English Sat–Sun 4pm I Japanese Sat 27 Oct, 24 Nov 1.30pm
BUILDING HIGHLIGHTS English daily 11am & Sat–Sun 3pm | Mandarin Fri–Sun 10.30am
DBS SINGAPORE GALLERY HIGHLIGHTS English daily 1pm & Sat–Sun 10.30am | Mandarin Fri–Sun 12pm
UOB SOUTHEAST ASIA GALLERY HIGHLIGHTS English daily 3.30pm | Mandarin Fri–Sun 3pm
LAW OF THE LAND HIGHLIGHTS English Sat 6 Oct, 20 Oct, 3 Nov, 17 Nov, 1 Dec, 15 Dec 4.30pm
HIGHLIGHTS OF WU GUANZHONG: EXPRESSIONS OF PEN & PALETTE AND LIM CHENG HOE: PAINTING SINGAPORE English Fri–Sun 11.30am I Mandarin Sat–Sun 2pm
HIGHLIGHTS OF MINIMALISM: SPACE. LIGHT. OBJECT. (FROM 30 NOV) English daily 2pm I Mandarin Fri–Sun 11am 16
CURATOR TOURS Tours
Led by Gallery curators, these tours explore the curatorial narratives and key artworks in our exhibitions. Tours are free but registration is required through www.nationalgallery.sg/ whats-on.
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.
GALLERY EXPLORER AUDIO TOURS Download our free Gallery Explorer app to enjoy rich audio commentary on our special exhibitions, alongside an Art in ASEAN tour available in nine Southeast Asian languages. Our user experience has been refreshed and features improved app navigation, isometric maps for easier wayfinding, as well as a scan art feature and “hold-to-ear” listening capabilities. Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 devices and headphones are available for loan from Visitor Services at Level B1. The Gallery Explorer app is developed in collaboration with our Innovation Partner Accenture.
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SPECIAL EVENTS
Film still from Megalodemocrat by Benjamin Duffield.
PAINTING WITH LIGHT: FESTIVAL OF INTERNATIONAL FILMS ON ART 5–28 Oct | City Hall Wing, Level B1, The Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium and Auditorium Anteroom | $10 (concessions available) | Tickets available through the Gallery and SISTIC websites and ticketing counters How does art impact society? How do museums contribute to the conversation? The second edition of Painting with Light, the only film festival in Singapore dedicated to art, returns to address questions concerning the role of art in society and the relevance of museums in dealing with the key issues shaking our world today. Expect enriching exchanges on how artistic discourse tackles social issues in our world today. For a full list of films, please visit www.nationalgallery.sg/paintingwithlight.
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ART IN SOUTHEAST ASIA: IN TRANSITION Sat 6 Oct | 1–6.30pm | Various locations | Talks and panels free, film screening $10 | Registration required through our website
Film still from The Seen and Unseen by Kamila Andini.
FILM SEMINAR: SHIFTING UNDERGROUNDS IN EAST AND SOUTHEAST ASIA Sat 27 Oct | 10am–6.30pm | Supreme Court Wing, Level 5, Theatrette | Free | General Admission ticket required Join us for a day of screenings, academic presentations, and panel discussions on experimental film practice. Featuring the region’s most prominent moving image practitioners—May Adadol Ingawanij, Ho Tzu Nyen and Wu Tzu-An—the seminar covers topics from film in the Asian Cold War context to how avant-garde artists use the medium to create dissenting histories. Organised in collaboration with the Asia Research Institute at the National University of Singapore.
Film still from The Anabasis of May and Fusako Shigenobu, Masao Adachi and 27 Years Without Images. Eric Baudelaire. 2011. Super 8 and HD video. 66 min.
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Special Events
This day of talks, film screenings and dialogues connects themes in the UOB Southeast Asia Galleries to broader socio-political concerns in the region today. Featuring perspectives of researchers and practitioners across disciplines from film and visual arts to geography, anthropology and history, the programme explores the diasporic experience through three key questions: Why do we leave? Where do we belong? What happens when we disappear?
PERFORMANCES
Image courtesy of Belarmino&Partners. Photo by Chia Ming Chien.
FROM FRAME TO BODY: MOVING VISUAL ART CASUALLY Sat–Sun 6–7 Oct | 1.30pm, 3.30pm | 75 min | City Hall Wing, Level 4 Gallery | Free | Registration required through our website Inspired by the art of Wu Guanzhong, movement educator and therapist Vincent Yong presents a unique participatory movement performance that invites audiences to experience Wu’s art somatically.
SUNDAY TEA CEREMONY Sun 7 Oct | 2–5pm | City Hall Wing, Level 5, Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Gallery | Free | Limited spaces on a first come, first served basis Enjoy the rare experience of a traditional tea ceremony held within Rirkrit Tiravanija’s untitled 2018 (the infinite dimensions of smallness) before the installation closes.
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TRISHA BROWN’S SPANISH DANCE, STICKS AND LEANING DUETS RESTAGED BY LASALLE COLLEGE OF THE ARTS Sat–Sun 24–25 Nov, 1–2 Dec | 2–6pm | City Hall Wing, Levels 2–3, City Hall Chamber & Singapore Courtyard | Free In conjunction with Minimalism. Space. Light. Object., students of the LASALLE School of Dance & Theatre will restage three historic choreographic works from Trisha Brown Company’s repertoire.
From top left to right to bottom: Performance of Spanish Dance (1973) as part of the Trisha Brown: In Plain Site series at Contemporary Arts Center, New Orelans, 2017. Dancers (left to right): Kimberly Fulmer, Cecily Campbell, Leah Ives, Amanda Kmett’Pendry, Leah Morrison. © 2017 James Morgan Owens, courtesy of Trisha Brown Dance Company. Performance of Leaning Duets (1973) as part of the Trisha Brown: In Plain Site series at Tate Modern, London, 2010. Dancers (left to right): Lee Serle and Nicholas Strafaccia. © 2010 John Mallinson, courtesy of Trisha Brown Dance Company. Performance of Sticks (1973) as part of the Trisha Brown: In Plain Site series at The Watermill Center, New York, 2016. Dancers (left to right): Marc Crousillat, Cecily Campbell. © 2016 Ian Douglas, courtesy of Trisha Brown Dance Company.
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PERFORMANCES RESONATES WITH 2pm, 3pm, 4pm | Padang Atrium | Free On the last Saturday of the month, enjoy music concerts inspired by the Gallery’s collection and special exhibitions.
Sat 27 Oct | Flamenco Sin Fronteras This performance features passionate fiery footwork and graceful movements, accompanied by soulful and rhythmic flamenco music. It reflects the myriad colours and brush strokes in Lim Cheng Hoe: Painting Singapore.
Sat 24 Nov | Les Petits Chanteurs Saint Marc Known for performing in the movie Les Choristes, The Saint Marc Children’s Choir from Lyon presents an enchanting repertoire of Oscar-winning Disney songs and Christmas favourites in French. The concert features Singaporean oboist, Quek Jun Rui. Image courtesy of Les Petits Chanteurs Saint Marc.
Sat 29 Dec | ADDO Chamber Orchestra Enjoy the acoustics of our city in a unique performance of compositions by Terry Riley and Louis Andriessen in response to Minimalism: Space. Light. Object.. Walk between the musicians and discover the mechanics behind the sound and music reflecting the industrialisation of Singapore.
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TALKS & WORKSHOPS SIR NICHOLAS SEROTA SPEAKS: THE ART MUSEUM AS FORUM Sat 20 Oct | 11am–12.15pm | City Hall Wing, Level B1, The Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium | Free | Registration required through our website There has been a significant shift in the way that art museums work with artists and engage the public over the past 30 years. Sir Nicholas Serota, Director of Tate from 1988 to 2017, will discuss the implications of these changes for museums and their place in society with special reference to Tate’s evolution. Serota was closely involved in the creation of Tate Modern, the adoption of a wider international perspective and the development of Tate as a place for debate on wider social issues.
REFLECTIONS ON ART | TAN OE PANG IN CONVERSATION WITH TEO HUI MIN Sat 20 Oct | 5–6pm | City Hall Wing, Level 2, DBS Singapore Gallery 2 | Free | General Admission ticket required | Limited spaces on a first come, first served basis
DEMYSTIFYING WATERCOLOUR Sat–Sun 3–4 Nov | 2–4pm | City Hall Wing, Level 4 Gallery | $25 | Tickets available through the Gallery and SISTIC websites and ticketing counters Learn more about the medium of watercolour on a tour of Lim Cheng Hoe: Painting Singapore, followed by a hands-on workshop led by watercolourist and art educator Foo Kwee Horng.
Photo by Chris Gloag.
ARTIST TALK: COLIN CURRIE Sat 10 Nov | 11.30am–12.30pm | Supreme Court Wing, Level 5, Glass Room | Free | Registration required through our website The Colin Currie Group is a virtuosic ensemble that specialises in the music of Steve Reich. Their performances of Reich’s music have been hailed by the composer as “the best [he has] ever heard.” Discover the influence of Minimalism on the group’s journey in this talk with founder and leader Colin Currie. Following the talk, the Colin Currie Group and Synergy Vocals will be performing at the Esplanade Concert Hall at 7.30pm. Tickets from $35 at www.esplanade.com/spectrum. 23
Talks & Workshops
Join Assistant Curator Teo Hui Min and artist Tan Oe Pang as they discuss his views on the development of Western art history and its intersections with Chinese art and aesthetics.
TALKS & WORKSHOPS
ARTIST TALK: ELMGREEN & DRAGSET Fri 16 Nov | 7.30–8.30pm | City Hall Wing, Level B1, The Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium | Free | Registration required through our website Join contemporary artist duo Elmgreen & Dragset as they discuss their practice and widely-celebrated works, including Queer Bar/Powerless Structures, Fig. 21, featured in the exhibition Minimalism: Space. Light. Object. Photo by Elmar Vestner.
GUEST LECTURE: JOAN KEE Sat 17 Nov | 2–3.30pm | City Hall Wing, Level B1, The Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium | Free | Registration required through our website Gain insights into how Asian artists responded to tenets of Minimalism in this lecture by art historian Joan Kee. Made possible with the support of the U.S. Embassy of Singapore.
ARTIST TALK: TADAAKI KUWAYAMA Sat 17 Nov | 4–5pm | City Hall Wing, Level B1, The Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium | Free | Registration required through our website Learn more about artist Tadaaki Kuwayama's practice and explore his key works, including TK996-'60 and Blue TK684-60, featured in Minimalism: Space. Light. Object.
COLLAGING ANCESTRIES | GOH BENG KWAN IN CONVERSATION WITH SENG YU JIN Sat 17 Nov | 5–6pm | City Hall Wing, Level 2, DBS Singapore Gallery 2 | Free | General Admission ticket required | Limited spaces on a first come, first served basis Join Cultural Medallion artist Goh Beng Kwan and Senior Curator Seng Yu Jin as they discuss how collage offered a way for Goh to explore new ways of art-making using an expanded range of materials and cultural sources.
COLUMNS, SQUARE TUBES AND SYNTH: WOMEN AND MINIMALISM | IN CONVERSATION WITH GOH SZE YING AND JOLEEN LOH Sat 15 Dec | 5–6pm | City Hall Wing, Level 2, DBS Singapore Gallery 2 | Free | Minimalism ticket required | Limited spaces on a first come, first served basis Join Assistant Curators Goh Sze Ying and Joleen Loh as they examine approaches to seriality and form in the practice of artists Kim Lim, Eliane Radigue, Anne Truitt and Charlotte Posenenske. They will also discuss the contribution of women artists to the development of Minimal Art. 24
RESOURCE CENTRE
Located on Level 4M of the Supreme Court Wing, the Resource Centre houses the Gallery’s collection of reference and archival materials of Singapore and Southeast Asian modern art. This rich public resource also provides a platform for the development of the Gallery’s curatorial research and academic projects.
OPENING HOURS Mon–Fri 10am–12.30pm, 2–5pm Mon 24 Dec, 31 Dec 10am–2pm Closed on Public Holidays While we accept walk-ins, making an appointment is recommended for access to all our facilities. To make an appointment, please email resource.centre@nationalgallery.sg or call +65 66979180 at least one day before your visit. To browse our library catalogue, please visit http://nationalgallery.spydus.com.sg/.
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KEPPEL CENTRE FOR ART EDUCATION The Keppel Centre for Art Education is an exciting place where art inspires new ways of learning. Visitors can enjoy immersive spaces that encourage imagination, creativity and self-led exploration. The Keppel Centre also provides a lively line-up of programmes for youth, children and families all year round. Located on Level 1 of the City Hall Wing, the Keppel Centre is easily accessible to schools and families with young children. Admission is free. The Keppel Centre for Art Education is made possible through a gift by Keppel Corporation.
ART PLAYSCAPE Step inside this fantastical city, explore unusual perspectives and encounter cities within cities. What can you see and what sounds can you hear? Artist Tang Ling Nah is known for large-scale charcoal drawings inspired by Singapore’s cityscape. Here she creates an imaginary city for children and families to explore optical illusions and play with shadows and sounds. Discover the relationship between light, object and space, search for miniature cities and be captivated by colours and shapes as you explore Wandering in Black and White.
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ART CORRIDOR Discover a kaleidoscope of colours and create your own patterns, inspired by Han Sai Por’s sculpture Tetrahedrontetrahedron Interpenetration.
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM Take a peek into an artist's studio and learn how ceramics are created. Unleash your creativity by designing a clay creation at the interactive station.
Kids & Schools
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM WORKSHOP Explore basic print-making processes and create your own print inspired by artworks in our National Collection.
PROJECT GALLERY Hug soft sculptures, climb into giant rocks and observe a shimmering display of colours as you explore The Blue Who Swims All This Way by artist Betty Susiarjo.
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KIDS’ PROGRAMMES & ACTIVITIES Every 1st and 2nd weekend of the month, enjoy family programmes that use the Gallery’s collection as an inspiration to introduce young ones to art. Designed in collaboration with artists and art practitioners, these 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.
3+ BOOK IN A NOOK
YEARS
Sat 6 Oct, 3 Nov, 1 Dec | 3–3.45pm | Free*
Gather round and listen to readings of fascinating stories in the galleries.
5+ ART EXPLORERS
YEARS
Sat–Sun 13–14 Oct, 10–11 Nov, 8–9 Dec | 1.30–2.15pm | Free*
Learn more about artists, artworks and the art-making process through close-looking and hands-on exploration on this docent-led tour.
4+ STORIES IN ART
YEARS
Sat–Sun 13–14 Oct, 10–11 Nov, 8–9 Dec | 2.30–3.15pm, 3.30–4.15pm | Free*
Join storytellers on an interactive journey through a treasure trove of art in the galleries.
7+ FAMILY ART WORKSHOPS
YEARS
Sat 13 Oct, 10 Nov, 8 Dec | 1.30–3pm | $20 per adult-child pair or $30 per adult-child trio | Tickets available through the Gallery and SISTIC websites and ticketing counters Pick up new skills for art-making under the guidance of facilitators, then create your own masterpieces inspired by works in the galleries. 11–16
TEEN WORKSHOPS
YEARS
Selected weekends in November and December | 2–5pm | $30 per participant | Tickets available through SISTIC and the Gallery’s website and ticketing counters Get up close and learn from artists and professionals across creative fields as you experiment with different art forms.
*Register at the Keppel Centre for Art Education reception counter from 10am on the day of the programme.
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OTHER KIDS’ ACTIVITIES WHO’S BY THE RIVER City Hall Wing, Level 1 An interactive platform featuring a day-to-night kampong-scape awaits the most curious visitor. Inspired by Liu Kang’s Life by the River, Who’s by the River invites you to create your own characters using colours and patterns and watch them come alive!
SOCIAL TABLE City Hall Wing, Level 2 Explore over 170 artworks from the exhibition Siapa Nama Kamu? on the multi-touch Social Table. Send an artwork to someone across the table and kick-start a dialogue about art, explore artist connections or create a poster of your favourite artworks.
GALLERY CARTS Look out for the roving Gallery Carts! Stop by and participate in a fun activity related to a special exhibition. Then, get a ticket and explore the exhibition with your family.
SCHOOL PROGRAMMES Our school programmes support teaching, learning and research in art and museum education. Guided school tours and studio workshops are availabe from Monday to Friday between 10am and 4pm.
EDUCATORS’ PROGRAMMES The Gallery offers a variety of programmes to support educators in connecting students with art. These are designed to develop visual literacy, art interpretive skills and museum-based educational strategies.
For more information, please visit www.nationalgallery.sg/discover-learn/schools. 29
SHOPPING & DINING GalleryandCo galleryandco City Hall Wing, Level 1 | Tel: 6385 6683 Sat–Thu 10am–7pm; Fri 10am–9pm
MUSEUM STORE Gallery & Co. is a progressive retail and F&B concept with a bookstore, cafeteria, bar and store in a continuous space. It applies a global perspective to inspirations taken from Southeast Asian art and culture, fusing art and design into a curated retail experience. This spans books, design collectibles and prints, homeware, fashion, and children’s products, accompanied by the Gallery’s exclusive line of merchandise.
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CAFETERIA & BAR Complementing Gallery & Co.’s retail ethos, the Cafeteria & Bar features a mash-up of vibrant Asian influences with classic favourites, and a dynamic list of collaborations with guest chefs inspired by the Gallery’s exhibitions.
Shopping & Dining
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SHOPPING & DINING AURA RESTAURANT City Hall Wing, Level 5 | Tel: 6866 1977 Daily 12.30–2pm, 6.30–10pm Aura Restaurant treats diners to classic Italian cuisine and a world-class contemporary dining experience. The menu is an extensive expression of Italian creativity, showcasing a variety of antipasti, pastas and wholesome mains.
AURA SKY LOUNGE City Hall Wing, Level 6 | Tel: 6866 1977 Daily 11.30am–1am Fronted by the spectacular skyline of the Marina Bay, Aura Sky Lounge is the ultimate rooftop bar with a stunning selection of refreshing cocktail classics, wines, spirits and bites.
COURTYARD CAFÉ Supreme Court Wing, Level 1 | Tel: 6384 1874 Sat–Thu 9.30am–7pm, Fri 9.30am–8pm Specialising in Straits Asian food, Courtyard Café serves authentic and modern interpretations of local dishes alongside a selection of traditional kuehs, cakes, toasts and beverages.
COURTYARD LOUNGE Supreme Court Wing, Level 1 | Tel: 6384 1874 Mon–Wed 1–7pm, Thu–Sat 4–11pm Nestled in a cosy corner of the Gallery, Courtyard Lounge serves Asian-fusion tapas in a tranquil ambience with relaxing jazz music.
HACHI RESTAURANT Supreme Court Wing, Level 1 | Tel: 6734 9622 Mon–Fri noon–2.30pm, 6–11pm; Sat 6–11pm Hachi Restaurant continues its 20-year tradition of Japanese seasonal omakase dining with their new flagship at the Gallery. Expect new creations and techniques that showcase the best ingredients from the land and seas of Japan. 32
NATIONAL KITCHEN BY VIOLET OON SINGAPORE City Hall Wing, Level 2 | Tel: 9834 9935 Daily noon–2.30pm, (afternoon tea) 3–5pm, 6–10.30pm Helmed by local celebrity chef Violet Oon, National Kitchen serves perennial favourites that reflect Singapore’s rich culinary heritage.
ODETTE Supreme Court Wing, Level 1 | Tel: 6385 0498 Mon 7–9pm; Tue–Sat noon–1.30pm, 7–9pm Two-Michelin star Odette reflects Chef-Owner Julien Royer’s respect for seasonality, terroir and artisanal produce. Using classic French techniques, Royer presents the world’s finest seasonal ingredients in their purest form and flavour. SMOKE & MIRRORS City Hall Wing, Level 6 | Tel: 9380 6313 Mon–Thu 3pm–1am; Fri 3pm–2am; Sat, Eve & Day of Public Holidays noon–2am; Sun noon–1am Enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the Marina Bay at this destination rooftop bar and indulge in progressive cocktails with imaginative presentations.
THE PUBLIC EIGHT Supreme Court Wing, Level 1 | Tel: 6242 5590 Mon–Sat 5.30pm–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 Discover the heart of authentic Cantonese cuisine. Serving dishes that resonate with sincerity and nostalgia, the dining experience at Yàn is all about conviviality.
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GALLERY PUBLICATIONS The Gallery publishes books on the visual art of Singapore and Southeast Asia. We are continually expanding our range of titles and have to date published a collection of children’s books, exhibition catalogues and albums, as well as research titles. Our books are available for purchase at our museum shop. For more information, please visit www.nationalgallery.sg/learn/publications or email us at publications@nationalgallery.sg.
NEW
Kim Lim Intervals I plus II 1973 Pine 4 parts, each 183 x 22.5 x 2.5 cm
MINIMALISM: SPACE . LIGHT. OBJECT. Paperback | $53.50 (inclusive of GST) | ISBN: 978-981-11-6680-8 Minimalism: Space. Light. Object. is an expansive global survey of the movement’s influential language of reductive forms and how it continues to speak to artists today. In this timely re-evaluation, the contemporaneous Monoha movement, as well as experimentation in video, sound and performance are brought to bear on the Minimalist canon. This richly illustrated catalogue features essays by the exhibition curators and international contributors, alongside conversations with artists, opening a forum for contemporary readings of this dynamic, multivalent and pivotal movement.
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LIM CHENG HOE: PAINTING SINGAPORE Hardback | 160 pages | $53.50 (inclusive of GST) | ISBN: 978-981-11-6825-3 This catalogue examines Lim Cheng Hoe’s contribution to the watercolour tradition and plein-air painting in Singapore, as well as artists’ changing relationship with the Singapore River. It republishes essays from previous exhibition catalogues which are now out of print, and serves as a comprehensive repository of research around this significant Singapore artist. WORDS ON ART: REGARDING Paperback | 80 pages | $23.54 (inclusive of GST) | ISBN: 978-981-11-6642-6 Written over the course of a year in response to the Gallery’s exhibitions, Madeleine Lee’s volume of ekphrastic poetry enacts the ways in which language may relate to art. Each poem is a vignette of a show; words compose, question and revision the visual in novel forms of their own making. regarding is the first title in the Gallery’s Words on Art series—books dedicated to articulating the intersections between visual and literary art. MIGRATION, TRANSMISSION, LOCALISATION: VISUAL ART IN SINGAPORE (1866–1945) Paperback | 230 pages | $37.45 (inclusive of GST) | ISBN: 978-981-11-2925-4 Drawing mainly on advertisements and comics in Chinese newspapers, Singaporean scholar and educator Yeo Mang Thong demonstrates how Singapore was an important hub for artists who travelled to and lived in Singapore. Yeo’s research features, amongst other things, essays on sojourning artists, and fills a gap in scholarship on the pre-war visual arts scene in Singapore. DO GALLERY SITTERS SIT ALL DAY? THINGS PEOPLE REALLY DO IN A MUSEUM Paperback | 36 pages | $29.96 (inclusive of GST) | ISBN: 978-981-11-4514-8 What is a docent? What does an artwork conservator do? Go behind the scenes to discover what goes on inside an art museum. With colourful illustrations featuring the beautiful architecture of National Gallery Singapore, Do Gallery Sitters Sit All Day? Things People Really Do in a Museum brings readers into the daily lives of museum professionals as they prepare exhibitions, receive artworks and guide visitors around the museum.
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GALLERY PUBLICATIONS AWESOME ART: THE NEXT 20 WORKS FROM SOUTHEAST ASIA EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW Hardback | 92 pages | $36.38 (inclusive of GST) | ISBN: 978-981-11-2927-8 Explore the awesome world of art through 20 works from Southeast Asia. Perfect for the young and young at heart, this book introduces colour stories and personalities linked to the artworks, with illustrations, fun facts and questions. NG TENG FONG ROOF GARDEN COMMISSION: RIRKRIT TIRAVANIJA Paperback | 60 pages | $26.75 (inclusive of GST) | ISBN: 978-981-11-6454-5 Published to accompany the second Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Commission by renowned artist Rirkrit Tiravanija, this catalogue illuminates his fascinating oeuvre and interest in fostering social engagement through art. It features a curatorial essay, experimental fictional text and interview with Tiravanija, alongside full-colour images of the installation. THE ARTIST SPEAKS: GEORGETTE CHEN Paperback | 128 pages | $34.20 (inclusive of GST) | ISBN: 978-981-11-6759-1 The remarkable story of one of Singapore's most prominent artists, Georgette Chen, spans struggle, triumph and tragedy. It is told here through her own personal material, selected from an extensive archive spanning five decades. This is the first title in The Artist Speaks series, which presents artists through their words and works.
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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, and the Concourse Galleries), except the ArchiGallery and Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Gallery. SINGAPOREANS AND PRS Ticket Type
NON-SINGAPOREANS
Standard
Concessions
Standard
Concessions
General Admission
Free
Free
$20
$15
Minimalism
$15
$10
$25
$20
$20
$15
$30
$25
at National Gallery Singapore
Minimalism at National Gallery Singapore and ArtScience Museum (inclusive of General Admission)
ADMISSION IS FREE FOR: • Gallery Insiders • Children aged 6 and below • Local/locally-based students and teachers* • Persons with disabilities (PWD) and their caregiver
CONCESSIONS APPLY TO: • Children aged 7–12 • Seniors aged 60 and above • Full-time National Servicemen (NSF) excluding foreign personnel • Overseas students and teachers*
Valid verification is required. For latest promotions and ticket prices, please visit www.nationalgallery.sg. *From qualifying institutions only.
GALLERY INSIDER MEMBERSHIP Gallery Insider members enjoy free entry to all exhibitions, priority booking for selected programmes, members-only events, discounts at our museum shop, restaurants and bars! Sign up now or purchase the membership as a gift for your loved ones. Membership Type
Singaporeans and PRs
Non-Singaporeans
Individual
$30
$60
Concession (Students/Seniors)
$25
$50
Dual (2 Pax) Group (4 Pax)
$110 $200
Visit Us
$55 $100
For more information, please email membership@nationalgallery.sg. 37
GENERAL INFORMATION VENUE RENTAL & EVENT SPACES 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 and cocktail events.
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
COLEMAN & PADANG DECKS
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, these open-air spaces offer spectacular, panoramic views of Singapore’s skyline.
Explore our full suite of stunning venues and spaces at www.nationalgallery.sg/venue-rental. 38
OPENING HOURS Sat–Thu 10am–7pm; Fri 10am–9pm 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 39
SUPPORT THE G ALLE RY The Gallery offers opportunities for you to enhance and cultivate your love for the arts. Your support helps us to build a world-class collection, pioneer original research, and develop our public programmes to bring art to a wider audience. Support the Gallery as a:
BEST FRIEND OF THE GALLERY (BFG) The BFG programme offers passionate individuals and corporate partners the chance to contribute meaningfully to the Gallery, and gain exposure to the workings of a major visual arts institution in a range of roles. To learn more about becoming a volunteer, please visit www.nationalgallery.sg/support.
DONOR Your support as a donor is crucial to the future growth of the Gallery’s collection and programmes, and you may be eligible for a generous tax deduction in appreciation of your donation. We will be pleased to advise you on the different ways of contributing to the Gallery. If you are interested in making a cash donation, please email supportus@nationalgallery.sg. If you are considering donating an artwork to the Gallery, please email collections@nationalgallery.sg.
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National Gallery Singapore would like to thank our corporate partners for their generous support. Development Partner
Founding Partners
Support the Gallery
Partner
Innovation Partner
Supported by
For details on sponsorship and partnership opportunities, visit www.nationalgallery.sg/support.
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www.nationalgallery.sg 6271 7000, info@nationalgallery.sg 42
1 St Andrew’s Road Singapore 178957