THE GALLERY GUIDE J U L– S E P 2018
On cover: Lim Cheng Hoe [Not titled] (Stalls by Fullerton Building) Undated Watercolour on paper 49.5 x 39.5 cm Š Family of Lim Cheng Hoe On display in Lim Cheng Hoe: Painting Singapore at the Level 4 Gallery from 2 August.
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 Jul 2018. All information is correct at time of print.
CO NTE NT S
JUL–SEP 2018
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2
About the Gallery
3
Director’s Message
4
Art We Love
6
Highlights Calendar
Exhibitions
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Long-Term Exhibitions
11 Special Exhibitions
Tours
16 Daily Tours 17 Curator Tours
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17 Group Tours 17 Gallery Explorer Audio Tours 18 Special Events 20 Performances 21 Talks & Workshops 23 Resource Centre
Kids & Schools
24 Keppel Centre for Art Education 26 Kids’ Programmes 28 Shopping & Dining 32 Gallery Publications 34 Ticketing Information 35 General Information
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36 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 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 the 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 Kwee Liong Seen Dr Kenson Kwok Professor Dr Apinan Poshyananda Dr Suriani Suratman Wee Sin Tho
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DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
Dear friends, The Gallery believes that art plays a vital role in providing a more diverse understanding of history, highlighting aspects that may be marginalised and overlooked. This is particularly pertinent as we celebrate National Day this quarter, and invite our visitors to consider how the artworks in our galleries offer multiple viewpoints on Singapore’s development, culture and place in Southeast Asia’s story. We are offering all visitors free admission on 9 August and have prepared a line-up of programmes showcasing the creativity of our artists, and the varied perspectives that their works bring to our complex histories. Join us for Art in Singapore: Evoking a National Art on 4 August, a day of talks and lectures reflecting on critical moments that have shaped an idea of “Singapore art.” Artists and historians will come together to discuss the origins of the Nanyang style and legacies of our pioneer artists. Meanwhile, key works from this formative period can be seen in (Re)collect: The making of our art collection, on display until 19 August. The exhibition tells the story of how our National Collection became the largest institutional collection of Southeast Asian art in the world and continues to evolve today. This quarter also brings to the forefront two Singapore artists whose bold visions have inspired many. Lim Cheng Hoe: Painting Singapore highlights the skill of one of Singapore’s leading watercolour artists, and Gallery Children’s Festival: Small Big Dreamers 2018 invites young ones to embark on a creative journey with one of our first performance artists, Lee Wen, through a series of special installations. Finally, we will launch two new tours on our Gallery Explorer representing the connections Singapore shares with her neighbours—one celebrating 50 years of ASEAN and available in 9 different languages, and another that examines the movements of artists between Singapore and Indonesia. We invite you to experience all of this and more at National Gallery Singapore.
Eugene Tan Director, National Gallery Singapore
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ART WE LOVE
DID YOU KNOW? This is a scene from the bottom of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in China, a subject that Wu Guanzhong revisited often in his art.
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Wu Guanzhong. Running Stream. 1988. 69 x 138.2 cm. Gift of Dr and Mrs Ho Kee Hang. On display in Wu Guanzhong: Expressions of Pen & Palette at the Wu Guanzhong Gallery from 31 August.
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HIGHLIGHTS CALENDAR JULY
1 SUN SPECIAL EVENT CONTINUES (p. 18)
1 SUN
Gallery Children’s Festival: Small Big Dreamers 2018
PERFORMANCE (p. 20)
Sunday Tea Ceremony Other dates: 5 Aug, 2 Sep, 7 Oct
AUGUST
2 THU
NEW
4 SAT
SPECIAL EXHIBITION OPENS (p. 11)
SPECIAL EVENT (p. 19)
Lim Cheng Hoe: Painting Singapore
Art in Singapore: Evoking a National Art
Lim Cheng Hoe. Singapore River. 1962. Watercolour on paper. 33 x 43 cm. © Family of Lim Cheng Hoe.
SEPTEMBER
1–2 SAT–SUN WORKSHOP (p. 22)
Sound Makers by Little Creatures
1 SAT
SPECIAL EVENT (p. 19)
Ink Masters Series Other date: 8 Sep
15 SAT TALK (p. 21)
Epitaph IV: Nationalism Through Spirituality in Art | A.D. Pirous in Conversation with Zulfadhli Hilmi 6
1 SUN PERFORMANCE (p. 20)
Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) 2018: Celebrations in the City
21–22 SAT–SUN PERFORMANCE (p. 20)
We Dance Alone: The Undefined Sphere
14 SAT
21 SAT
TALK (p. 21)
TALK (p. 21)
Let’s Talk About Conservation
Latiff Mohidin: Pago Pago (1960-1969) | A Conversation with Shabbir Hussain Mustafa
Other dates: 4–5 Aug
31 FRI
18 SAT TALK (p. 21)
Act 1.5… My Time with the Artist Village | Khairul Anwar Salleh in Conversation with Jennifer Lam
SPECIAL EXHIBITION OPENS (p. 12)
WORKSHOP (p. 22)
Wu Guanzhong: Expressions of Pen & Palette
The Artist and the Poet
NEW
Wu Guanzhong. A Harvest of Black Carps (II). 1976. Watercolour on paper. 38 x 53 cm. Collection of Wijono T Singapore.
28 FRI CURATOR TOUR (p. 17)
Insights Tour: Law of the Land Other dates: 27 Jul, 24 Aug
29 SAT PERFORMANCE (p. 20) Resonates With 7
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 close to 400 works, it explores the influences and practices that have shaped and transformed Singapore art.
Lee Boon Wang. Potong Pasir Dairy Farmer. 1958. Oil on canvas. 53.3 x 43 cm. On display at DBS Singapore Gallery 2.
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.
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 an exhibition on the art of Southeast Asia through shared artistic impulses across the region. Starting in the 19th century, the history of Southeast Asian art is characterised by a continuous encounter with the new, and is inseparably linked to the region’s tumultuous social and political history. The meaning and expression of art was constantly negotiated as artists of Southeast Asia sought to incorporate and reinvent local expressions and aesthetic traditions as they grappled with modernity. The UOB Southeast Asia Gallery is made possible through a gift by United Overseas Bank.
Sudjana Keron. Kehidupan di Kampung (Village Life). c. 1960s. Oil on canvas. 105 x 180 cm. On display at UOB Southeast Asia Gallery 8.
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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
LIM CHENG HOE: PAINTING SINGAPORE 2 Aug 2018–9 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. Singapore River. 1962. Watercolour on paper. 33 x 43 cm. © Family of Lim Cheng Hoe.
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SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS NEW
WU GUANZHONG: EXPRESSIONS OF PEN & PALETTE 31 Aug 2018–29 Sep 2019 | City Hall Wing, Level 4, Wu Guanzhong Gallery
Wu Guanzhong. A Harvest of Black Carps (II). 1976. Watercolour on paper. 38 x 53 cm. Collection of Wijono T Singapore.
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 creations and literary writings by bringing together major works from Singapore's National Collection and major Southeast Asia private collections.
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(RE)COLLECT: THE MAKING OF OUR ART COLLECTION 11 May–19 Aug | City Hall Wing, Level 3, Singtel Special Exhibition Galleries B & C This exhibition reveals the story behind the creation of the National Collection in the 1960s and how it continues to evolve today by highlighting the significant acquisitions and donations made in recent years. The layers of collecting history emerge from (re)collecting the past and capturing the present through almost 130 works. Featured artists include Affandi, Georgette Chen, Cheo Chai-Hiang, Latiff Mohidin, Lim Hak Tai, Lim Yew Kuan, Navin Rawanchaikul and S. Sudjojono.
Latiff Mohidin. Mindscape 17. 1983. Oil on canvas. 82 x 64 cm. Gift of BinjaiTree in memory of Chia Yew Kay and Tan Kim Siew.
Lead Sponsor
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SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS NG TENG FONG ROOF GARDEN COMMISSION: RIRKRIT TIRAVANIJA 24 Jan–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
Royal warrant assigning Armorial Ensigns for the Colony of the Straits Settlements, 1948. Image courtesy of National Library Board.
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
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. 35). 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 5pm | Japanese Sat 25 Aug, 29 Sep 1.30–2.30pm
BUILDINGS HIGHLIGHTS English daily 11am & Sat–Sun 3pm | Mandarin Fri–Sun 11.30am
DBS SINGAPORE GALLERY HIGHLIGHTS English daily 1pm & Sat–Sun 10.30am | Mandarin Fri–Sun 12.30pm
UOB SOUTHEAST ASIA GALLERY HIGHLIGHTS English daily 3.30pm | Mandarin Fri–Sun 4pm
LAW OF THE LAND HIGHLIGHTS English Sat 7 Jul, 21 Jul, 4 Aug, 18 Aug, 1 Sep, 15 Sep 4.30pm
HIGHLIGHTS OF (RE)COLLECT (UNTIL 19 AUG) English Fri–Sun 2.30pm | Mandarin Fri–Sun 4.30pm
HIGHLIGHTS OF WU GUANZHONG: EXPRESSIONS OF PEN & PALETTE & LIM CHENG HOE: PAINTING SINGAPORE (FROM 15 SEP) English Fri–Sun 11.30am | Mandarin Sat–Sun 2pm 16
CURATOR TOURS Tours
Led by Gallery curators, these tours explore the curatorial narratives and key artworks of our exhibitions. Tours are free but registration is required through www.nationalgallery.sg/ whats-on. Visitors should obtain or purchase an admission ticket before joining a tour.
SIAPA NAMA KAMU? Sat 4 Aug | 12.45–1.45pm | City Hall Wing, Level 2, DBS Singapore Gallery 1
(RE)COLLECT: THE MAKING OF OUR ART COLLECTION Sat 4 Aug | 12.45–1.45pm | City Hall Wing, Level 3, Singtel Special Exhibition Gallery B & C
WU GUANZHONG: EXPRESSIONS OF PEN & PALETTE Sat 1 Sep, 8 Sep | 1.30–2.30pm | City Hall Wing, Level 4, Wu Guanzhong Gallery Note: The tour on 8 Sep will be conducted in Mandarin.
INSIGHTS TOUR: LAW OF THE LAND Fri 27 Jul, 24 Aug, 28 Sep | 6.30–7.15pm | Supreme Court Wing, Level 3, Chief Justice's Chamber & Office | Free (Registration required) Led by NLB curators, this tour explores the history and development of Singapore’s constitution from 1819 to 1965. To register, please visit www.nlb.gov.sg/golibrary2.
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, as well as two new tours celebrating 50 years of ASEAN and Singapore-Indonesia relations. Our refreshed user experience features improved app navigation, isometric maps for easier wayfinding, artwork scanning and “hold-to-ear” listening capabilities. Available on the App Store and Google Play. Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 devices 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 Development Partner
GALLERY CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL: SMALL BIG DREAMERS 2018 9 Jun–9 Sep | Various locations | General admission rules apply Go on a journey inspired by a Singaporean artist—a Big Dreamer—whose story exemplifies the power of the mind and art to create infinite possibilities. The inaugural Gallery Children’s Festival introduces visitors of all ages to Lee Wen, one of Singapore’s first performance artists and a Cultural Medallion award recipient. Compose your own music, explore a fantastical obstacle course and create art out of everyday objects with Lee Wen and his friends. Make the most of your experience by purchasing an art pack for $5 from dedicated vending machines around the Gallery. 18
Special Events
Liu Kang. Life by the River. 1975. Oil on canvas. 126 x 203 cm.
ART IN SINGAPORE: EVOKING A NATIONAL ART Sat 4 Aug | 11am–6.30pm | Various locations | Free | Registration required through our website As Singapore prepares to celebrate its 53rd birthday, this day of programmes explores critical moments that have shaped an idea of “Singaporean art.” Gain insights into the origins and influences of the nation’s unique aesthetic through talks with artists. Trace the journey of the National Collection and discover how acquisitions add to Singapore's historical narrative.
INK MASTERS SERIES Sat 1 Sep, 8 Sep | 1.30–4pm | Various locations | Free | Registration required through our website Over two weekends, explore the development of modern ink painting in Singapore and Taiwan through encounters with leading local ink artist, Zhuang Shengtao, and renowned Taiwanese ink master, Liu Guosong. Some programmes will be conducted in Mandarin with simultaneous English translation. These events are held in conjunction with Wu Guanzhong: Expressions of Pen & Palette. 19
PERFORMANCES SUNDAY TEA CEREMONIES Sun 1 Jul, 5 Aug, 2 Sep, 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) On the first Sunday of the month, enjoy the rare experience of a tea ceremony held within Rirkrit Tiravanija’s installation untitled 2018 (the infinite dimensions of smallness).
SINGAPORE YOUTH FESTIVAL 2018: CELEBRATIONS IN THE CITY Sun 1 Jul | 2–5.30pm | Padang Atrium and Singapore Courtyard | Free Enjoy a series of student performances that stretch the imagination. These range from a musical showcase exploring improvisation and live interaction, to dramatised readings of co-devised scripts expressing issues faced by youth today.
WE DANCE ALONE: THE UNDEFINED SPHERE Sat–Sun 21–22 Jul, 4–5 Aug | 3–5pm | City Hall Wing, Level 3, Singtel Special Exhibition Gallery B & C | Free In response to (Re)collect, artist Rizman Putra presents a movement-based performance inside the exhibition space. He reflects on the themes of history and nostalgia through unconventional and meditative body movements.
Image courtesy of Rizman Putra.
FRIENDS IN CONCERT Sat 18 Aug | 2pm, 3pm, 4pm | 30 min | Padang Atrium | Free Curated by the Singapore Teachers’ Academy for the aRts (STAR), Friends in Concert celebrates the creative and musical expressions of local teacher-musicians. Join them as they present rearrangements of songs with a Singapore connection.
RESONATES WITH From Sat 29 Sep | 2pm, 3pm, 4pm | Padang Atrium | Free On the last Saturday of the month, enjoy musical performances inspired by the Gallery’s collection, special exhibitions and festivals.
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TALKS & WORKSHOPS LET’S TALK ABOUT CONSERVATION Sat 14 Jul | 11am–12.15pm | City Hall Wing, Level 3, Singtel Special Exhibition Gallery B & C | Free (Registration required through our website) Learn about what it takes to prepare artworks for display as conservators from the Heritage Conservation Centre share stories of their experiences restoring paintings and objects for (Re)collect.
LATIFF MOHIDIN: PAGO PAGO (1960–1969) | A CONVERSATION WITH SHABBIR HUSSAIN MUSTAFA Sat 21 Jul | 5–6pm | Supreme Court Wing, Level 3, UOB Southeast Asia Gallery 6 | Free (Limited spaces on a first come, first served basis) Gain insights into the art historical and literary contexts surrounding poet-painter Latiff Mohidin’s seminal Pago Pago series, in this talk by Senior Curator Shabbir Hussain Mustafa.
Sat 18 Aug | 5–6pm | City Hall Wing, Level 2, DBS Singapore Gallery 3 | Free (Limited spaces on a first come, first served basis) How did artists with different practices begin collaborating? Is there a relationship between performance art, theatre and new media? Join artist Khairul Anwar Salleh and Assistant Curator Jennifer K.Y. Lam in exploring the development of interdisciplinary approaches to art in Singapore.
EPITAPH IV: NATIONALISM THROUGH SPIRITUALITY IN ART | A.D. PIROUS IN CONVERSATION WITH ZULFADHLI HILMI Sat 15 Sep | 5–6pm | Supreme Court Wing, Level 3, UOB Southeast Asia Gallery 8 | Free (Limited spaces on a first come, first served basis) Join artist A.D. Pirous and Assistant Curator Zulfadhli Hilmi as they discuss the themes of spiritualism and nationalism in his artwork Epitaph IV. The conversation will explore the turn towards creating new languages and dialogues in art in the 1960s in Bandung and the rest of Southeast Asia.
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Talks & Workshops
ACT 1.5… MY TIME WITH THE ARTIST VILLAGE | KHAIRUL ANWAR SALLEH IN CONVERSATION WITH JENNIFER LAM
TALKS & WORKSHOPS THE ARTIST AND THE POET Sat 18 Aug | Supreme Court Wing, Level 4M, Glass Room | Free (Registration required through our website) 10am–12.30pm | 9–12 years 3–5.30pm | 15 years and above Find inspiration within the Gallery’s permanent collection in this poetry workshop with our Poet-in-Residence Madeleine Lee. Through conversations and writing exercises, learn how to use art in the Gallery as a starting point for writing original pieces. For information on Madeleine Lee's collection of poems, please see p. 32.
SOUND MAKERS BY LITTLE CREATURES Sat–Sun 1–2 Sep | City Hall Wing, Level 1, Rainbow Concert Hall | Free (Registration required through our website) 11–11.30am | 5–8 years 2–2.30pm | 3–6 years 3.30–4pm | 8–3 years Create rhythms and beats using daily objects like pots and pans in this fun parent-child music workshop.
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RESOURCE CENTRE
Hernando R. Ocampo's scrapbook.
Located on Level 4M of the Supreme Court Wing, the Resource Centre houses the Gallery’s collection of reference materials and historical archives 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 Eve of Public Holidays 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.
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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 Tetrahedron-tetrahedron 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 FAMILY WEEKENDS Enjoy a line-up of family programmes at the Keppel Centre for Art Education that use the Gallery’s collection as a springboard to introduce children to art. Designed in collaboration with artists and art practitioners, the programmes offer interactive experiences to awaken children’s natural curiosities and stretch their imagination to new levels. Please visit www.nationalgallery.sg/discover-learn/kids-families for more details.
3+ BOOK IN A NOOK
YEARS
First Saturdays | 3–3.45pm | Free (registration required)
Gather round and listen to fascinating stories of people, places, animals and objects being read in the permanent galleries.
4+ DROP-IN ACTIVITY
YEARS
Selected Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays | 10am–6pm | Free
Drop by the Keppel Centre for Art Education workshops and participate in a fun art-making activity inspired by one of the Gallery’s current exhibitions.
4+ STORIES IN ART
Second Saturdays and Sundays | 2.30–3.15pm, 3.30–4.15pm | Free (registration required) YEARS
Dive into a world of stories that make artworks come alive! Listen and imagine along with storytellers as you journey through a treasure trove of art in the galleries.
5+ ART EXPLORERS
YEARS
Second Saturdays and Sundays | 1.30–2.15pm | Free (registration required)
Gain a new perspective on an artwork in the Gallery’s permanent exhibitions through a docent-led tour. Learn more about the artist and the art-making process through close-looking and hands-on exploration.
7+ FAMILY ART WORKSHOPS
Second Saturdays | 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 YEARS
Get creative as a family in these fun, hands-on workshops! Pick up new skills for art-making under the guidance of Gallery facilitators, then create your own masterpieces inspired by works in the Gallery.
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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 CART Look out for the roving Gallery Cart! Stop by and participate in an interesting activity related to a special exhibition. Then, get a ticket and explore the exhibition with your family.
SCHOOL & EDUCATORS’ PROGRAMMES For more information, please visit www.nationalgallery.sg/content/learn-schools.
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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.
Gallery & Co. have launched a series of merchandise exclusively for (Re)collect. From jigsaw sets to painting kits, each product is thoughtfully designed to capture the essence of an artwork and integrate it into everyday life.
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Shopping & Dining
NEW
SHOPPING & DINING NEW
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.
NEW
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.
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.
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COURTYARD LOUNGE Supreme Court Wing, Level 1 | Tel: 6384 1874 Mon–Wed 4–8pm; 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.
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: 9234 8122 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.
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
LIM CHENG HOE: PAINTING SINGAPORE Hardback | 200 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.
REGARDING Paperback | 80 pages | $23.65 (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. The sum of this interplay between word and image speaks to the generative force of intersecting mediums.
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.
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DO GALLERY SITTERS SIT ALL DAY? 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? brings readers into the daily lives of museum professionals as they prepare exhibitions, receive artworks and guide visitors around the museum. 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 Following on the heels of the National Gallery Singapore’s first Awesome Art book, this title presents 20 more works that speak of the diversity and richness of art in the region. Perfect for the young and young at heart! 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 One of Singapore’s most prominent artists, Georgette Chen forged a vision that till today continues to enchant and inspire. Chen’s remarkable story— of wars and revolutions, triumph and tragedy, loves lost and enduring—is told here through her very own words, selected from an extensive archive spanning five decades.
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TICKETING 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
NON-SINGAPOREANS
Ticket Type
Adult
Concessions
Standard
Concessions
General Admission
Free
Free
$20
$15
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)
$55
$110
$100
$200
Group (4 Pax)
For more information, please email membership@nationalgallery.sg.
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GENERAL INFORMATION 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.
y MRT B 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
Y TAXI B 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
VENUE RENTAL & EVENT SPACES
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Visit Us
Blending rich history with exciting modernity, the Gallery’s unique spaces are ideal for hosting a variety of events, from conferences to product launches, and cocktail events. For more information about our range of venues and spaces, please visit www.nationalgallery.sg/ venue-rental.
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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nationalgallerysg nationalgallerysingapore natgallerysg nationalgallerysg
www.nationalgallery.sg 6271 7000, info@nationalgallery.sg 38
1 St Andrew’s Road Singapore 178957