National Gallery Singapore

The National Gallery Singapore, often known exonymously as the National Gallery, is a public institution and national museum dedicated to art and culture located in the Civic District of Singapore. It oversees the world's largest public collection of Singaporean and regional art of the Eastern world, specifically of Southeast Asia, with a collection of more than 9,000 items.[2]

National Gallery Singapore
Chinese: 新加坡国家美术馆
Malay: Galeri Kebangsaan Singapura
Tamil: சிங்கப்பூர் தேசிய கலைக்கூடம்
Interior of the National Gallery of Singapore with the airy corridors on 4 levels, the staircases and escalators, in the evening.
Interactive fullscreen map
Established24 November 2015 (2015-11-24)
Location1 St. Andrew's Road, Singapore 178957
Coordinates1°17′25.76″N 103°51′6.70″E
TypeArt museum
CollectionsSingaporean and Eastern art
Collection sizeApprox. 9,000 objects
Visitors1,585,332 (2016)[1]
DirectorDr. Eugene Tan
ChairpersonHsieh Fu Hua
ArchitectstudioMilou Singapore
CPG Consultants
Public transit access NS25  EW13  City Hall
 CC3  Esplanade
 NE5  Clarke Quay
Websitewww.nationalgallery.sg

The Gallery aims to provide an understanding and appreciation of art and culture through a variety of media, focusing on Singapore's culture and heritage and its relationship with other Asian cultures and the world.[3] It consists of two national monuments, the former Supreme Court and former City Hall buildings, and has a combined floor area of 64,000 square metres (690,000 sq ft),[4] making it the largest visual arts venue and largest museum in Singapore. A total cost of approximately S$532 million has gone into the National Gallery Singapore's development.[5][6]

For the breadth, scope, and magnitude of its collections, the National Gallery Singapore is widely considered by art enthusiasts as being one of the greatest art museums in Singapore and the region.[7] Subsequently, it is one of the most visited art museums in the world, often attracting almost two million visitors annually.[7] Admission to the National Gallery Singapore is complimentary for Singaporean citizens and permanent residents.[8]

The National Gallery also houses various fine dining restaurants that has won global accolades.[9] These include Odette, a restaurant that has been rated as being one of the best in Asia – in addition to having three Michelin stars, as well as the National Kitchen by Violet Oon.[9][10][11]

History
Padang Atrium
Supreme Court Terrace

Planning

At his National Day Rally speech on 21 August 2005, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong mentioned the government's plan to convert the former Supreme Court building and former City Hall building into a new national gallery.[12] On 2 September 2006, Dr. Lee Boon Yang, Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts officially announced the setting up of the National Gallery Singapore during the Singapore Biennale 2006 at the National Museum of Singapore.[13]

The then Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (MICA) proceeded to implement a process designed to enable stakeholders and interested parties to contribute their expertise and their views to the project. A steering committee, initially chaired by Dr. Balaji Sadasivan, Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and MICA, oversaw the art gallery's implementation plan. The steering committee was supported by an executive committee and four advisory groups. The advisory groups provided advice on museology, architectural conservation, finance and communications.[13]

Design competition

On 23 February 2007, MICA, together with the Singapore Institute of Architects, launched a two-stage architectural design competition to identify the most suitable architect and design for the National Gallery.[14][15][16] The first stage of the competition called for design and concept proposals, and began on 19 March with a site tour of the two buildings for competing architects to get design concepts and ideas.[17] It drew 111 entries from 29 countries worldwide, with five proposals shortlisted in May 2007. Members of the jury consisted of a panel of eminent local and international professionals headed by Tommy Koh, Singapore's Ambassador-at-Large and chairman of the National Heritage Board, and included officials from the Urban Redevelopment Authority, Musée national des Arts asiatiques-Guimet in France and the Asian Civilisations Museum.[18][19][20][21]

For the second stage, the shortlisted candidates had to develop their designs, from which the winning proposal would be selected by the jury. Due to the status of the former Supreme Court Building and City Hall as national monuments, certain aspects of the buildings could not be altered, such as the façade, the Surrender Chamber, the office of Singapore's founding Prime Minister and the panelling in four rooms of the Supreme Court. However, this still left many design options open such as the addition of roof and basement floors. The participants also had to submit entries within a budget of S$320 million.[19][20]

On 29 August 2007, the seven-member international jury panel named the top three designs out of the five shortlisted.[19] The three firms – Studio Milou Architecture from France, Ho + Hou Architects from Taiwan, and Chan Sau Yan Associates from Singapore – each received $150,000. The jury made their decision after appraising models and digital mock-ups, as well as engaging the five finalists in a presentation and question-and-answer session.[20] The other two firms that were shortlisted in the first stage were DP Architects and Australia's Smart Design Studio.[21][22]

An exhibition of the five finalists' proposals was held at City Hall in October 2007, and the public was invited to give feedback on the designs, programmes and events. The jury's decision was presented to MICA, which then decided on whom to commission to design and build the art gallery. An announcement on the final design was made in the first quarter of 2008.[18][20][21]

Competition winner and construction

In May 2008, Studio Milou Singapore, in partnership with CPG Consultants (Singapore), was appointed to design and build the Gallery.

Studio Milou Architecture is a French architectural firm, with branches in Paris and Singapore that specialise in the design of museums and cultural spaces.[23]

CPG Consultants, a subsidiary of CPG Corporation, is a multi-disciplinary design consultancy firm. Headquartered in Singapore, CPG Consultants has extensive expertise in conservation and preservation of buildings. To date, the company has completed over 20 such projects in Singapore, most of which are gazetted monuments.[24]

Studio Milou Architecture's design consisted of a linear draped canopy supported by tree-like columns to link the former Supreme Court Building and City Hall at the roof level. The design incorporated an extended staircase linking the basement to the upper levels, making use of solar energy to provide electricity. Fine metal mesh had been proposed to cover most of City Hall. Panel members agreed it had "the most delightful design and appeal", and was ranked first among the top three designs.[19][20][22][25]

On 21 December 2010, the Gallery appointed Takenaka-Singapore Piling Joint Venture as the main construction contractor for the new Gallery. The construction works on the buildings began in January 2011 and opened its doors to the public officially on 24 November 2015.[5][6][26]

Buildings
Exterior view

The museum is composed of a combination of the Former Supreme Court Building and City Hall, both of which are national monuments and have played significant roles in Singapore's history. The buildings face the Padang, an open field. Through link bridges and a new basement level, the design for the National Gallery integrates the City Hall and former Supreme Court buildings, combining both old and new architecture.[27]

The Supreme Court was built on the site of the former Grand Hotel de l'Europe, one of the most palatial hotels in Southeast Asia that was demolished in 1936. Designed by Frank Dorrington Ward, Chief Architect of the Public Works Department, the former Supreme Court building was built to house Supreme Court offices and courtrooms and was declared open on 3 August 1939.[28] This building is the former courthouse of the Supreme Court of Singapore, before it moved into the new building on 20 June 2005. The architecture of the former Supreme Court building is in harmony with that of its neighbour, City Hall. The general layout of the building exemplifies British colonial architecture, comprising four blocks of offices and courtrooms surrounding a central rotunda with a dome that was originally used to house a circular law library. It was to be the last classical building to be built in Singapore. United Engineers Ltd was the building contractor.[29] The Corinthian and Ionic columns, sculptures and relief panels were the works of Italian artist, Cavaliere Rudolfo Nolli. There are the tympanum sculptures and ornamented frieze panels.

The City Hall building was constructed between 1926 and 1929 and was originally known as the Municipal Building. Designed by the British Municipal architects A. Gordon and S. D. Meadows, it was used to house the offices of the Municipal Council, which was responsible for the provision of water, electricity, gas, roads, bridges and street lighting.[30] From 1963 to 1991, City Hall came to house offices of several government departments and courtrooms. The building was vacated in 2006. City Hall has been the focal point of many important events in the history of Singapore. It was in the City Hall building that Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten, on behalf of the Allied forces, accepted the surrender of the Japanese forces on 12 September 1945.[31]

The building also housed the office of Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, the first prime minister of Singapore. Mr. Lee and members of his Cabinet took their Oaths of Allegiance and Oaths of Office on 5 June 1959 in the City Hall Chamber. It was gazetted on 14 February 1992 as a national monument. The original layout of City Hall is a typical example of neoclassical British architecture. The building's interior is modestly proportioned, but its front façade is distinguished by 18 three-storey-high Corinthian columns facing the Padang.

Galleries
A gallery on the second floor

Consisting of modern and contemporary art, National Gallery Singapore focuses on displaying Singapore and Southeast Asian art from the 19th century to present day. It is home to two permanent galleries: the Singapore Gallery and the Southeast Asia Gallery. Through its collection, the Gallery will present the development of Singaporean and regional cultures – telling the story of their social, economic and political histories.

The Gallery mainly draws from Singapore's National Collection, the world's largest public collection of modern and contemporary Southeast Asian art. The National Collection started with an original bequest of 93 works made to the National Museum in 1976, by the well-known cinema magnate and art patron, Dato Loke Wan Tho. Through careful nurturing over the years, this collection has grown significantly to approximately 8,000 pieces in 2010. The National Heritage Board is presently the custodian of this collection. National Gallery Singapore will feature works by major Singaporean artists such as Georgette Chen, Chen Chong Swee, Chen Wen Hsi, Cheong Soo Pieng and Liu Kang. The collection now spans from early-20th-century naturalistic paintings to contemporary video installations. The collection also holds pieces from Southeast Asian artists of international standing, such as Affandi (Indonesia), Latiff Mohidin (Malaysia), Le Pho (Vietnam), Montien Boonma (Thailand), Fernando Cueto Amorsolo (Philippines) and Raden Saleh (Indonesia).

Malay Boy (1939) by Karl Duldig, National Gallery Singapore

The Singapore Gallery is a platform for studying and presenting the cultural and aesthetic identity of Singapore from the ancient period to present day.

Housed in the former Supreme Court building, the Southeast Asia Gallery presents the history of Southeast Asian art, starting in the 19th century.

Special set of Research Galleries

These galleries complement the core galleries, providing space for curators and researchers to experiment with ways of presenting materials from the Gallery's permanent collection.

The gallery has approximately 6,000 square metres (65,000 sq ft) of spaces to host international travelling exhibitions.

Docents

One of the public programmes offered by the Gallery is the Docent Programme, a training workshop in art, history and culture. The programme seeks to cultivate a pool of volunteer guides. They are trained in public speaking and have extensive knowledge of Singaporean and Southeast Asian art, and the architecture and history of the Gallery buildings.

Keppel Centre for Art Education

The Keppel Centre for Art Education is a learning facility for families and schools. The centre will provide an artistic environment that stimulates imagination, encourages active play and supports independent learning.

Children and younger students will experience and interact with original artworks that are specially created to develop observation skills and tactile exploration.[32]

The Keppel Centre for Art Education also offers programmes including a regular series of Studio-based workshops, artist talks, curator's presentations, as well as complimentary Drop-in programmes conducted by artists, curators and museum educators.[32]

An exhibition, “The Gift”, opened from 20 August to 9 November 2021 and explored the complexities of gifts in art-making and collecting. It was a partnership with three other arts institutions: Galeri Nasional Indonesia, MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum in Thailand and Nationalgalerie – Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, which was initiated by the Goethe Institut. Each museum curated a selection of works from their own and each other's collections that were on display simultaneously.[33]

In mid-2022, the gallery opened a major exhibition, called Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia, which is the most extensive show of contemporary Indigenous Australian art type to tour Asia.[34]

ExhibitionArtistExhibition period
The GiftVarious20 August 2021 – 9 November 2021

Exhibitions held at the Singapore Art Museum

While waiting for the building to complete its renovations, National Gallery Singapore has held various exhibitions at the Singapore Art Museum. These exhibitions include:

ExhibitionArtistExhibition period
In/sight: Abstract Art by Wu Guanzhong and Artists from Southeast AsiaWu Guanzhong and various artists17 August 2013 – 30 April 2014
Seeing the Kite Again Series IIWu Guanzhong3 May 2012 – 5 May 2013
Liu Kang: A Centennial Celebration[35]Liu Kang29 July 2011 – 16 October 2011
Notable Acquisitions ExhibitionVariousWorks by Tan Oe Pang: 18 April 2011 – 5 February 2012

Works by Arthur Yap, Tay Chee Toh & Chia Wai Hon: 7 December 2010 – 27 March 2011

In memory of Wu Guanzhong: Seeing the Kites AgainWu Guanzhong14 December 2009 – 1 May 2011
Cheong Soo Pieng: Bridging Worlds[36]Cheong Soo Pieng15 September 2010 – 26 December 2010
The Story of Yeh Chi Wei[37]Yeh Chi Wei27 May 2010 – 12 September 2010
Realism in Asian Art[38]Various9 April 2010 – 4 July 2010

Travelling shows and artworks

Apart from displays within Singapore, the National Collection has also travelled to international museums and exhibition venues in the Americas, Europe and Asia.

ExhibitionVenuePeriodWorks travelled
Andy Warhol: 15 Minutes Eternal[39] Art Science Museum17 March to 12 August 2012Redza Piyadasa, 1991, Seated Malay Girl, mixed media on paper, 33 x 65 cm, collection of the National Heritage Board
The Birth and Development of Singapore Art[40] Fukuoka Asian Art Museum29 March to 26 June 2012Selected artworks by Singapore artists Lim Hak Tai and Cheong Soo Pieng
East Meets West – The Exhibition of Wu Guangzhong's Paintings[41] Zhejiang Art Museum20 November to 25 December 201076 artworks from the exhibition hailed from the National Heritage Board Singapore's collection. Singapore's contribution of Wu's works was the second largest amongst the eight participating art institutions.

Poetry residency

The Gallery has had three poets-in-residence:

2017-18: Madeleine Lee, with poems from her residency published by the Gallery in the book, regarding (2018).[42]

2018-19: Edwin Thumboo, with poems in the book, Ayatana (2020).[42]

2021-22: Koh, Buck Song, with poems and haiga artworks in the book, the world anew: Poetry And Haiga Inspired By Art In Pandemic Times (2023).[42]

The gallery is featured in HBO series Westworld, as part of the third season.[43]

  • Raden Saleh, Boschbrand (Forest Fire), 1849, Oil on canvas
    Raden Saleh, Boschbrand (Forest Fire), 1849, Oil on canvas
  • Chua Mia Tee, National Language Class, 1959, Oil on canvas
    Chua Mia Tee, National Language Class, 1959, Oil on canvas
  • The Hope façade show, 2015
    The Hope façade show, 2015
  • Illuminated Supreme Court Wing façade during Light to Night Festival 2021.
    Illuminated Supreme Court Wing façade during Light to Night Festival 2021.
  • Illuminated City Hall Wing façade during Light to Night Festival 2023.
    Illuminated City Hall Wing façade during Light to Night Festival 2023.

See also

References
  1. "Singapore Cultural Statistics 2017". Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth. p. 8. Archived from the original on 28 August 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  2. "About Our Collections". National Gallery Singapore. Archived from the original on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  3. Widrich, Mechtild (2016). "The Naked Museum: Art, Urbanism, and Global Positioning in Singapore". Art Journal. 75 (2): 46–65. doi:10.1080/00043249.2016.1202630. S2CID 192731953. Archived from the original on 4 January 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  4. This is about four times the size of the Singapore Art Museum: Adeline Chia (15 May 2007). "5 art gallery designs picked: Two Singapore teams are among those shortlisted in the design competition for the National Art Gallery". The Straits Times.
  5. Cheow Xinyi (22 December 2010). "Construction for art gallery to start next month". Today. p. 4.
  6. Linette Lim (28 December 2010). "Former Supreme Court, City Hall to be restored for $530m". The Business Times. p. 7.
  7. The Art Newspaper, March 30, 2021
  8. "Ticketing Information". nationalgallery.sg. National Gallery Singapore. Archived from the original on 23 January 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  9. Goh, Kenneth (14 June 2016). "National Kitchen and Odette get Best New Restaurant nod". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 1 April 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  10. Ossinger, Joanna (13 June 2020). "What Asia's Best Restaurant Odette Has Planned in Post-Covid Era". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on 1 April 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  11. Street, Francesca (24 March 2020). "These are Asia's best restaurants for 2020". CNN. Archived from the original on 1 April 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  12. In his National Day Rally speech on 21 August 2005, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong mapped out his vision to remake Singapore and called on everyone to play a part: "Remaking Singapore as a vibrant global city". The Straits Times. 23 August 2005.
  13. "Speech by Dr Lee Boon Yang, Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, at the Gala Reception of Singapore Biennale 2006, 2 September 2006, 8.00 PM at the National Museum of Singapore". Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (Singapore). 2 September 2006. Archived from the original on 13 June 2007. Retrieved 30 August 2007.
  14. Tay Suan Chiang (14 February 2007). "Ideas sought for crafting national art gallery: Search on for design team to convert historic buildings into art hub". The Straits Times.
  15. Pamela Jill Chew (14 February 2007). "Arts scene to get a boost from Mica this year: New art gallery design contest to be launched Feb 23". The Business Times.
  16. Tay Suan Chiang (21 March 2007). "Wanted: Best design for gallery". The Straits Times.
  17. "Wanted: Ideas for National Art Gallery". The Straits Times. 28 February 2007.
  18. Tay Suan Chiang (30 August 2007). "Three designs shortlisted for National Art Gallery". The Straits Times.
  19. Tay Suan Chiang (30 August 2007). "Art Gallery Design Contest: 3 designs that balance appeal and function". The Straits Times.
  20. Nazry Bahrawi (30 August 2007). "New art gallery: Designs shortlisted: National Art Gallery due to be completed by 2012". Today. p. 4.
  21. Glenda Chong (29 August 2007). "Three winning designs picked for National Art Gallery". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 2 September 2007. Retrieved 31 August 2007.
  22. "Three dramatic winning designs selected for National Arts Gallery". The Business Times. 30 August 2007.
  23. "studioMilou museum". Archived from the original on 31 July 2010. Retrieved 30 December 2010.
  24. "CPG Profile". Archived from the original on 11 October 2009. Retrieved 30 December 2010.
  25. Tay Suan Chiang (31 August 2007). "Canopy idea ranked first in Art Gallery designs". The Straits Times. p. L4.
  26. "BBR clinches restoration deal". The Straits Times. 28 December 2010. p. B15.
  27. "Supreme Court: History". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
  28. "Former Supreme Court". Archived from the original on 4 March 2012. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
  29. "City Hall". Archived from the original on 4 March 2012. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
  30. "Japanese Surrender". Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
  31. "Keppel gives $12 million to National Art Gallery". The Straits Times. 7 August 2013. Archived from the original on 24 May 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2013.
  32. hermesauto (18 August 2021). "Singapore Art Museum presents new exhibition on the art of gifting". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  33. Barker, Jade (14 June 2022). "Australian Indigenous art takes centre stage as Tate Modern, Sotheby's embrace First Nations creations". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 13 June 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  34. "Liu Kang". National Gallery Singapore. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  35. "Cheong Soo Pieng". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
  36. "Yeh Chi Wei". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
  37. "Realism in Asian Art". Archived from the original on 26 July 2010. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
  38. "Andy Warhol: 15 Minutes Eternal". Archived from the original on 3 May 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
  39. "The Birth and Development of Singapore Art: An exhibition celebrating the partnership between the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum and the National Art Gallery, Singapore". Archived from the original on 4 November 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
  40. "Largest collection of Wu Guanzhong ever, at Zhejiang Art Museum". People's Daily Online. 17 November 2010. Archived from the original on 16 July 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
  41. Hoo, Shawn (18 March 2023). "See National Gallery's art anew through poet Koh Buck Song's eyes | The Straits Times". The Straits Times.
  42. "15 Real-Life Places Behind Westworld Season 3's Futuristic Cities". 9 May 2020. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2022.

Further reading

Bibliography
  • National Art Gallery, Singapore, 2009. Light & Movement Portrayed: The Art of Anthony Poon. ISBN 978-981-08-3545-3
  • Yeo Wei Wei (editor), 2010. Realism in Asia Volume One. National Art Gallery, Singapore. ISBN 978-981-08-5349-5
  • National Art Gallery, Singapore, 2010. The Story of Yeh Chi Wei. ISBN 978-981-08-5026-5
  • Grace Tng, Seng Yu Jin & Yeo Wei Wei, 2010. Cheong Soo Pieng: Visions of Southeast Asia. National Art Gallery, Singapore. ISBN 978-981-08-6422-4
  • Yeo Wei Wei & Ye Shufang, 2010. Salted Fish. National Art Gallery, Singapore. ISBN 978-981-08-6444-6
  • National Art Gallery, Singapore, 2010. When I Grow Up I Want to Paint Like Cheong Soo Pieng (CSP Colouring Book). ISBN 978-981-08-6888-8
  • Sara Siew (ed), 2011. Liu Kang: Essays on Art and Culture. National Art Gallery, Singapore. ISBN 978-981-08-7675-3
  • Yeo Wei Wei (ed), 2011. Asian Artists Series – Liu Kang: Colourful Modernist. National Art Gallery, Singapore. ISBN 978-981-08-8675-2
  • National Art Gallery, Singapore, 2011. When I Grow Up I Want to Paint Like Liu Kang. ISBN 978-981-08-7997-6
  • Natalie Hennedige, 2012. Koko The Great. National Art Gallery, Singapore. ISBN 978-981-08-8758-2
  • Ho Lee- Ling, 2013. Who is Cheong Soo Pieng? National Art Gallery, Singapore. ISBN 978-981-07-5678-9
  • Sara Siew, 2013. Awesome Art. National Art Gallery, Singapore. ISBN 978-981-07-4372-7
  • Mechtild Widrich, 2016. The Naked Museum. The Naked Museum: Art, Urbanism, and Global Positioning in Singapore, Art Journal, 75:2, 46–65.
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