National Art Gallery of Singapore
Encyclopedia
with
The National Art Gallery, Singapore is a planned art gallery
to be located in the Downtown Core
of Singapore
. It will incorporate two national monument
s, the Old Supreme Court Building
and City Hall
, and is scheduled for its official launch in 2015. The National Art 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 the cultures of the Southeast Asia
n region, in Asia
, and the world.
which will contribute towards positioning Singapore as a regional and international hub for visual arts
. It manages the world’s largest public collection of modern
Southeast Asia
n and Singapore art. The Gallery focuses on displaying, promoting and researching these artworks, relating them to the wider Asian and international contexts, and hosting international art exhibitions.
Situated in the heart of the Civic District
, the City Hall
and adjacent former Supreme Court building — two important heritage buildings
symbolic of Singapore’s nationhood - will be converted to house this exciting new visual arts
venue, and is anticipated to be completed by 2015. The National Art Gallery will be a civic and creative space, established for the enrichment, enjoyment and engagement of Singapore residents and visitors from all over the world.
The Gallery will also be an integrated development that could include food and beverage
and retail
components to make it a lifestyle destination within Singapore's Civic District, which overlooks the Padang
. The government targets to attract one million visitors a year to the Gallery. The combined floor area of 60,000 square metres at the Old Supreme Court Building and City Hall will be developed at a total cost of S$532 million. The National Art Gallery will have at least 11,000 square metres of exhibition space.
for the arts, Singapore has carefully nurtured the arts and culture scene over the past two decades. The island city has witnessed increasing attendance and participation in key events and festivals such as the Singapore Biennale
, Singapore Arts Festival
and Singapore Art Show
. These events have helped propel Singapore onto the international
scene, highlighting her prominence as an international arts hub - a place where the global arts community can come together for exchange and collaboration
.
At his National Day Rally
speech on 21 August 2005, Prime Minister
Lee Hsien Loong
mentioned the government's plan to convert the Old Supreme Court Building and City Hall into a new national art gallery. On 2 September 2006, Dr Lee Boon Yang
, Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts officially announced the setting up of the National Art Gallery of Singapore, during the Singapore Biennale 2006 at the National Museum of Singapore
.
The 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, chaired by Dr Balaji Sadasivan, Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
and MICA, oversees the art gallery's implementation plan. The steering committee is supported by an executive committee and four advisory
groups. The advisory groups provide advice on museology
, architectural conservation
, finance
and communication
s.
, launched a two-stage architectural design competition
to identify the most suitable architect
and design for the National Art Gallery. The first stage of the competition called for design and concept proposals, and began on March 19 with a site tour of the two buildings for competing architects to get design concepts and ideas. It drew 111 entries from 29 countries worldwide, with five proposals shortlisted in May 2007. Members of the jury consist 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 include officials from the Urban Redevelopment Authority
, Musée national des Arts asiatiques-Guimet in France
and the Asian Civilisations Museum
.
For the second stage, the shortlisted candidates had to develop their designs, from which the winning proposal will be selected by the jury. As the Old Supreme Court Building and City Hall are national monuments, certain aspects of the buildings cannot 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 leaves open many design options such as the addition of roof
and basement
floors. The participants also had to submit entries within a budget
of S$320 million.
On 29 August 2007, the seven-member international jury panel named the top three designs out of the five shortlisted. The three firms — Studio Milou Architecture from France, Ho + Hou Architects from Taiwan
, and Chan Sau Yan Associates from Singapore — each received S$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. The other two firms that were shortlisted in the first stage are DP Architects and Australia
's Smart Design Studio.
An exhibition of the five finalists' proposals was held at City Hall in October 2007, and the public will be invited to give feedback
on the designs, programmes and events. The jury's decision will be presented to MICA
, which will then decide on who to commission to design and build the art gallery. An announcement on the final design was made in the first quarter of 2008.
supported by tree-like column
s to link the Old Supreme Court Building and City Hall at the roof level. The design incorporates an extended staircase linking the basement to the upper levels, and makes use of solar energy to provide electricity. Fine metal mesh has 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.
Working together with AEDAS from Singapore, Taiwan's Ho + Hou Studio's design keeps the two buildings separate above ground, but links them at the basement. Its proposal includes building a framework of tall columns in wood laminate
which resemble the stilts
structures of a kelong
. Natural light is controlled through lattices
and louvre
s through a glazed roof. It was praised by the jury for its "well-thought-through arrangement of its terraced gallery and related spaces", and was ranked second.
Singapore's Chan Sau Yan Associates partnered with environmental design
company Lekker Design, and their design involves building a main entry portal
between the two buildings. The firm created an extra storey
on the roof of City Hall, which can be used as additional gallery space. The design has translucent walls that allow viewers to see the adjacent
historic walls of City Hall and the former Supreme Court. Overhead bridges are used to connect both buildings, and the naturally lit and ventilated
entrance helps to conserve energy
. The design was complimented by the jury for its "pure simplicity
and clever integration of spaces".
DP Architects
sought to retain the buildings' original character
and uses moving images on screen to create movement, while Smart Design Studio's design sports orchid-inspired structures and has a "porous" internal street.
Studio Milou Architecture is a French architectural firm, with branches in Paris
and Singapore that specialise in the design of museums and cultural spaces. Led by principal architect and lead partner Jean-Francois Milou, the firm has a reputation for working with adaptive reuse of historical buildings, seeking imaginative solutions while respecting the building’s historical fabric, meaning and surroundings.
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.
On 21 December 2010, The National Art Gallery, Singapore appointed Takenaka
-Singapore Piling Joint Venture as the main construction contractor for the new Gallery. The construction works on the buildings will start in January 2011 and is predicted to be completed in about 44 months. The Gallery is slated to open progressively from end 2014 onwards.
, which is a Malay word meaning “flat field”.
The former Supreme Court building is the former courthouse of the Supreme Court of Singapore, before it moved out of the building and commenced operations in the new building on 20 June 2005.
The architecture of the former Supreme Court building is in harmony with that of its neighbour, the 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, 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 contractor for the building.
The Corinthian
and Ionic columns, sculptures and relief panels were the works of Italian artist, Cavaliere Rudolfo Nolli
.
The City Hall building 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
accepted the surrender of the Japanese forces
on 12 September 1945, on behalf of the Allied forces. 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.
area for visitor services. Connecting bridges between the buildings will also allow visitors to move easily between the buildings.
, supported by tree-like columns, integrates the buildings at roof level, creating a civic plaza in the sky. Bathed in unfiltered, natural light, the rooftop plaza will be a premier day and night destination, vibrant with performances, exhibitions, talks, events and eateries. Visitors can dine at one of several restaurants or cafés, or walk through displays of some of the largest pieces of modern
and contemporary art
, while enjoying spectacular views of the city.
The National Art Gallery will also provide venues for hire for conferences
, seminars, film screening
s, performances and private functions. The Gallery will house a 300-seat auditorium
, another 200-seat white box performance
venue, and several function and seminar room spaces for various types of events and corporate functions.
, economic and political histories
.
While the body of works at the National Art Gallery falls largely within the area of modern art
, the Gallery strives towards understanding the collection in new and varied ways – taking on a contemporary approach and interpretation of the development of Southeast Asian art. The Gallery will look beyond national and regional boundaries of art, and take on a wider ambit of international visual arts culture, research into our Asian heritage and cultural affiliations, and engage with global cultures and discourses.
Singapore’s 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, the world’s largest public collection of modern and contemporary Southeast Asian art.
The collection's strength lies in its comprehensive representation of Singapore art and its unparalleled holdings of works by major Singaporean artists such as Georgette Chen
, Chen Chong Swee
, Chen Wen Hsi
, Cheong Soo Pieng
and Liu Kang
. Through an active acquisition policy of purchases and donations, the collection now spans from early 20th century naturalistic paintings to contemporary video installations. The collection also holds significant pieces from Southeast Asian artists of international standing, such as Affandi
(Indonesia), Latiff Mohidin (Malaysia), Le Pho (Vietnam), Montien Boonma (Thailand) and Fernando Cueto Amorsolo
(Philippines). Apart from displays within Singapore, this collection has also travelled to international museums and exhibition venues in the Americas, Europe and Asia.
The National Art Gallery, Singapore is a planned art gallery
Art gallery
An art gallery or art museum is a building or space for the exhibition of art, usually visual art.Museums can be public or private, but what distinguishes a museum is the ownership of a collection...
to be located in the Downtown Core
Downtown Core
The Downtown Core is a 266-hectare urban planning area in the south of the city-state of Singapore. The Downtown Core surrounds the mouth of the Singapore River and southeastern portion of its watershed, and is part of the Central Area, Singapore's central business district...
of Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
. It will incorporate two national monument
National Monuments of Singapore
National Monuments of Singapore are buildings and structures in Singapore that have been designated by the Preservation of Monuments Board as being of special historic, traditional, archaeological, architectural or artistic value....
s, the Old Supreme Court Building
Old Supreme Court Building
The Old Supreme Court Building is the former courthouse of the Supreme Court of Singapore, before it moved out of the building and commenced operations in the new building on 20 June 2005...
and City Hall
City Hall, Singapore
The City Hall in Singapore is a national monument gazetted on 14 February 1992. Located in front of the historical Padang and next door to the Supreme Court of Singapore, it was designed and built by the architects of the municipal government, A. Gordans and F. D. Meadows from 1926 to 1929...
, and is scheduled for its official launch in 2015. The National Art 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 the cultures of the Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
n region, in Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
, and the world.
About The National Art Gallery, Singapore
The National Art Gallery, Singapore (working title) is a new institutionInstitution
An institution is any structure or mechanism of social order and cooperation governing the behavior of a set of individuals within a given human community...
which will contribute towards positioning Singapore as a regional and international hub for visual arts
Visual arts
The visual arts are art forms that create works which are primarily visual in nature, such as ceramics, drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, design, crafts, and often modern visual arts and architecture...
. It manages the world’s largest public collection of modern
Modern art
Modern art includes artistic works produced during the period extending roughly from the 1860s to the 1970s, and denotes the style and philosophy of the art produced during that era. The term is usually associated with art in which the traditions of the past have been thrown aside in a spirit of...
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
n and Singapore art. The Gallery focuses on displaying, promoting and researching these artworks, relating them to the wider Asian and international contexts, and hosting international art exhibitions.
Situated in the heart of the Civic District
Civic District, Singapore
The Civic District is an area in the central area of Singapore designated for housing government offices, museums, memorials, and parks. It is home to the Esplanade, Fort Canning hill, Asian Civilisations Museum, Supreme Court Building, Raffles City, National Museum of Singapore and the City Hall...
, the City Hall
City Hall, Singapore
The City Hall in Singapore is a national monument gazetted on 14 February 1992. Located in front of the historical Padang and next door to the Supreme Court of Singapore, it was designed and built by the architects of the municipal government, A. Gordans and F. D. Meadows from 1926 to 1929...
and adjacent former Supreme Court building — two important heritage buildings
National Monuments of Singapore
National Monuments of Singapore are buildings and structures in Singapore that have been designated by the Preservation of Monuments Board as being of special historic, traditional, archaeological, architectural or artistic value....
symbolic of Singapore’s nationhood - will be converted to house this exciting new visual arts
Visual arts
The visual arts are art forms that create works which are primarily visual in nature, such as ceramics, drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, design, crafts, and often modern visual arts and architecture...
venue, and is anticipated to be completed by 2015. The National Art Gallery will be a civic and creative space, established for the enrichment, enjoyment and engagement of Singapore residents and visitors from all over the world.
The Gallery will also be an integrated development that could include food and beverage
Food and Beverage
F&B is a common abbreviation in the United States and Commonwealth countries, including Hong Kong. F&B is typically the widely accepted abbreviation for "Food and Beverage", which is the sector/industry that specializes in the conceptualization, the making of, and delivery of foods...
and retail
Retail
Retail consists of the sale of physical goods or merchandise from a fixed location, such as a department store, boutique or kiosk, or by mail, in small or individual lots for direct consumption by the purchaser. Retailing may include subordinated services, such as delivery. Purchasers may be...
components to make it a lifestyle destination within Singapore's Civic District, which overlooks the Padang
Padang, Singapore
The Padang is an open field located within the Downtown Core of the Central Area in Singapore, at the heart of Singapore's central business district. It was formerly known as the Padang Cricket Ground...
. The government targets to attract one million visitors a year to the Gallery. The combined floor area of 60,000 square metres at the Old Supreme Court Building and City Hall will be developed at a total cost of S$532 million. The National Art Gallery will have at least 11,000 square metres of exhibition space.
Gallery Objectives
- ResearchResearchResearch can be defined as the scientific search for knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop new theories, usually using a scientific method...
, exhibitExhibitExhibit may refer to:*Exhibit , evidence in physical form brought before the court.*Demonstrative evidence is a term used to describe exhibits and other physical forms of evidence used in court to demonstrate, show, depict, inform or teach relevant information to the viewer.*Exhibit , a lightweight...
and promote Southeast Asian artworks for the enjoyment of all - To be a central civicCivic centerA civic center or civic centre is a prominent land area within a community that is constructed to be its focal point or center. It usually contains one or more dominant public buildings, which may also include a government building...
space, providing a platform for artistic expression and learning as well as a lifestyle destination, built for the engagementCivic engagementCivic engagement or civic participation has been defined as "Individual and collective actions designed to identify and address issues of public concern."-Forms:...
, enjoyment and enrichment of Singaporeans and visitors - Facilitate exchange of knowledgeKnowledgeKnowledge is a familiarity with someone or something unknown, which can include information, facts, descriptions, or skills acquired through experience or education. It can refer to the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject...
through regional partnerships and collaborationCollaborationCollaboration is working together to achieve a goal. It is a recursive process where two or more people or organizations work together to realize shared goals, — for example, an intriguing endeavor that is creative in nature—by sharing...
with other institutions - Drive, develop and foster visual arts development in Singapore and Southeast Asia, as well as establish a leading position in the international museums and galleries scene
- Inform and educate audiences, through multi-sensory mediaMultimediaMultimedia is media and content that uses a combination of different content forms. The term can be used as a noun or as an adjective describing a medium as having multiple content forms. The term is used in contrast to media which use only rudimentary computer display such as text-only, or...
and engaging experiences
Board of Directors
- Mr Koh Seow ChuanKoh Seow ChuanKoh Seow Chuan is a founder of DP Architects, a philatelist, and philanthropist.-Education and Career:Koh graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Melbourne in 1963....
, Chairman, National Art Gallery, Singapore - Mr Michael Koh, CEO, National Heritage BoardNational Heritage Board (Singapore)The National Heritage Board is a statutory board of the Singapore Government, under the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts ....
and The National Art Gallery, Singapore - Mr Benson Puah, CEO, National Arts Council and The Esplanade Company
- Ms Jane Ittogi, Chairman, Singapore Art MuseumSingapore Art MuseumThe Singapore Art Museum contains the national art collection of Singapore. It has a collection of 7,750 pieces of Singaporean and Southeast Asian modern and contemporary art, and has an expanding collection of new Asian and international contemporary art.- History :Officially opened in 1996, it...
and Partner, Shook Lin and Bok LLP - Mr Hsieh Fu Hua, President & Executive Director, Temasek HoldingsTemasek HoldingsTemasek Holdings is an investment company owned by the government of Singapore. With an international staff of 380 people, it manages a portfolio of about S$193 billion at end of March 2011, focused primarily in Asia...
- Dr Suriani Suratman, Senior Lecturer, National University of SingaporeNational University of SingaporeThe National University of Singapore is Singapore's oldest university. It is the largest university in the country in terms of student enrollment and curriculum offered....
- Mr Edwin Low, Managing Director & Head, Singapore and Malaysia Investment Banking, Credit SuisseCredit SuisseThe Credit Suisse Group AG is a Swiss multinational financial services company headquartered in Zurich, with more than 250 branches in Switzerland and operations in more than 50 countries.-History:...
- Mr Kwee Liong Seen, Executive Director, Pontiac Land Pte Ltd
- Ms Ng Hsueh Ling, Chief Executive & Executive Director, K-Reit Asia Management Ltd
- Mr Liew Choon Boon, Senior Director, Industry and the Arts, Ministry of Information, Communications and the ArtsMinistry of Information, Communications and the ArtsThe Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts is a ministry of the Government of Singapore...
The need for a National Art Gallery
With a vision of becoming a global cityGlobal city
A global city is a city that is deemed to be an important node in the global economic system...
for the arts, Singapore has carefully nurtured the arts and culture scene over the past two decades. The island city has witnessed increasing attendance and participation in key events and festivals such as the Singapore Biennale
Singapore Biennale
The Singapore Biennale is a contemporary art biennale in Singapore. The first Singapore Biennale operated as one of a lineup of Singapore 2006 events. Fumio Nanjo, Director of Tokyo's Mori Art Museum, has been reappointed Artistic Director of the Singapore Biennale 2008...
, Singapore Arts Festival
Singapore Arts Festival
The Singapore Arts Festival is an annual arts festival held in Singapore. Organised by the National Arts Council, it is one of the most significant events in the regional arts scene. The festival, usually held in mid-year for a stretch of one month, incorporates theatre arts, dance, music and...
and Singapore Art Show
Singapore Art Show
The Singapore Art Show is a bi-annual show organised by the National Arts Council focusing on local visual artists. The inaugural show was in 2005.-Overview:...
. These events have helped propel Singapore onto the international
International
----International mostly means something that involves more than one country. The term international as a word means involvement of, interaction between or encompassing more than one nation, or generally beyond national boundaries...
scene, highlighting her prominence as an international arts hub - a place where the global arts community can come together for exchange and collaboration
Collaboration
Collaboration is working together to achieve a goal. It is a recursive process where two or more people or organizations work together to realize shared goals, — for example, an intriguing endeavor that is creative in nature—by sharing...
.
At his National Day Rally
National Day Rally
The National Day Rally is an annual address that the Prime Minister of Singapore makes to the entire nation, on the second Sunday after August 9, the country's National Day...
speech on 21 August 2005, Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Singapore
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore is the head of the government of the Republic of Singapore. The President of Singapore appoints as Prime Minister a Member of Parliament who, in his opinion, is most likely to command the confidence of a majority of MPs.The office of Prime Minister...
Lee Hsien Loong
Lee Hsien Loong
Lee Hsien Loong is the third and current Prime Minister of Singapore. He is married to Ho Ching, who is the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Temasek Holdings. He is the eldest son of Singapore's first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew....
mentioned the government's plan to convert the Old Supreme Court Building and City Hall into a new national art gallery. On 2 September 2006, Dr Lee Boon Yang
Lee Boon Yang
Dr. Lee Boon Yang is a former politician from Singapore. A member of the governing People's Action Party , he served in the Cabinet from July 1991 to April 2009 in various portfolios including Minister for Defence, Minister for Manpower, and Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts...
, Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts officially announced the setting up of the National Art Gallery of Singapore, during the Singapore Biennale 2006 at the National Museum of Singapore
National Museum of Singapore
The National Museum of Singapore is a national museum in Singapore and the oldest museum in Singapore. Its history dates back to 1849 when it was started as a section of a library at Singapore Institution...
.
The Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts
Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts
The Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts is a ministry of the Government of Singapore...
(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, chaired by Dr Balaji Sadasivan, Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Singapore)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a ministry of the Government of Singapore responsible for conducting and managing diplomatic relations between Singapore and other countries. It is headed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the office currently held by K...
and MICA, oversees the art gallery's implementation plan. The steering committee is supported by an executive committee and four advisory
Advice (opinion)
Advice is a form of relating personal or institutional opinions, belief systems, values, recommendations or guidance about certain situations relayed in some context to another person, group or party often offered as a guide to action and/or conduct...
groups. The advisory groups provide advice on museology
Museology
Museology is the diachronic study of museums and how they have established and developed in their role as an educational mechanism under social and political pressures.-Overview:...
, architectural conservation
Architectural conservation
Architectural conservation describes the process through which the material, historical, and design integrity of mankind's built heritage are prolonged through carefully planned interventions. The individual engaged in this pursuit is known as an architectural conservator...
, finance
Finance
"Finance" is often defined simply as the management of money or “funds” management Modern finance, however, is a family of business activity that includes the origination, marketing, and management of cash and money surrogates through a variety of capital accounts, instruments, and markets created...
and communication
Communication
Communication is the activity of conveying meaningful information. Communication requires a sender, a message, and an intended recipient, although the receiver need not be present or aware of the sender's intent to communicate at the time of communication; thus communication can occur across vast...
s.
Design competition
On 23 February 2007, MICA, together with the Singapore Institute of ArchitectsSingapore Institute of Architects
The Singapore Institute of Architects is a professional organization established in 1961 with the objective to promote the architectural profession and the built environment in Singapore....
, launched a two-stage architectural design competition
Architectural design competition
An architectural design competition is a special type of competition in which an organization or government body that plans to build a new building asks for architects to submit a proposed design for a building. The winning design is usually chosen by an independent panel of design professionals...
to identify the most suitable architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
and design for the National Art Gallery. The first stage of the competition called for design and concept proposals, and began on March 19 with a site tour of the two buildings for competing architects to get design concepts and ideas. It drew 111 entries from 29 countries worldwide, with five proposals shortlisted in May 2007. Members of the jury consist of a panel of eminent local and international professionals headed by Tommy Koh
Tommy Koh
Tommy Koh was born in Singapore on 12 November 1937. He is an international lawyer, professor and Ambassador-At-Large for the Government of Singapore...
, Singapore's Ambassador-at-Large
Ambassador-at-large
An ambassador-at-large is a Diplomat of the highest rank or a Minister who is accredited to represent his country internationally.Unlike an ambassador-in-residence who is usually limited to a country and/or embassy, the ambassador-at-large is entrusted to operate in several usually neighboring...
and chairman of the National Heritage Board
National Heritage Board (Singapore)
The National Heritage Board is a statutory board of the Singapore Government, under the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts ....
, and include officials from the Urban Redevelopment Authority
Urban Redevelopment Authority
The Urban Redevelopment Authority is the national urban planning authority of Singapore, and a statutory board under the Ministry of National Development of the Singapore Government.-Mission:The authority was established on 1 April 1974, and is of especially critical importance to the city-state,...
, Musée national des Arts asiatiques-Guimet in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and the Asian Civilisations Museum
Asian Civilisations Museum
The Asian Civilisations Museum is an institution which forms a part of the three museums of the National Museum of Singapore. It is one of the pioneering museums in the region to specialise in pan-Asian cultures and civilisations...
.
For the second stage, the shortlisted candidates had to develop their designs, from which the winning proposal will be selected by the jury. As the Old Supreme Court Building and City Hall are national monuments, certain aspects of the buildings cannot be altered, such as the façade
Facade
A facade or façade is generally one exterior side of a building, usually, but not always, the front. The word comes from the French language, literally meaning "frontage" or "face"....
, the Surrender Chamber, the office of Singapore's founding Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Singapore
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore is the head of the government of the Republic of Singapore. The President of Singapore appoints as Prime Minister a Member of Parliament who, in his opinion, is most likely to command the confidence of a majority of MPs.The office of Prime Minister...
and the panelling in four rooms of the Supreme Court. However, this still leaves open many design options such as the addition of roof
Roof
A roof is the covering on the uppermost part of a building. A roof protects the building and its contents from the effects of weather. Structures that require roofs range from a letter box to a cathedral or stadium, dwellings being the most numerous....
and basement
Basement
__FORCETOC__A basement is one or more floors of a building that are either completely or partially below the ground floor. Basements are typically used as a utility space for a building where such items as the furnace, water heater, breaker panel or fuse box, car park, and air-conditioning system...
floors. The participants also had to submit entries within a budget
Budget
A budget is a financial plan and a list of all planned expenses and revenues. It is a plan for saving, borrowing and spending. A budget is an important concept in microeconomics, which uses a budget line to illustrate the trade-offs between two or more goods...
of S$320 million.
On 29 August 2007, the seven-member international jury panel named the top three designs out of the five shortlisted. The three firms — Studio Milou Architecture from France, Ho + Hou Architects from Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, and Chan Sau Yan Associates from Singapore — each received S$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. The other two firms that were shortlisted in the first stage are DP Architects and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
's Smart Design Studio.
An exhibition of the five finalists' proposals was held at City Hall in October 2007, and the public will be invited to give feedback
Marketing research
Marketing research is "the function that links the consumer, customer, and public to the marketer through information — information used to identify and define marketing opportunities and problems; generate, refine, and evaluate marketing actions; monitor marketing performance; and improve...
on the designs, programmes and events. The jury's decision will be presented to MICA
Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts
The Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts is a ministry of the Government of Singapore...
, which will then decide on who to commission to design and build the art gallery. An announcement on the final design was made in the first quarter of 2008.
Architectural proposals
France's Studio Milou Architecture, in collaboration with CPG Consultants from Singapore, designed a linear draped canopyCanopy (building)
A canopy is an overhead roof or else a structure over which a fabric or metal covering is attached, able to provide shade or shelter. A canopy can also be a tent, generally without a floor....
supported by tree-like column
Column
A column or pillar in architecture and structural engineering is a vertical structural element that transmits, through compression, the weight of the structure above to other structural elements below. For the purpose of wind or earthquake engineering, columns may be designed to resist lateral forces...
s to link the Old Supreme Court Building and City Hall at the roof level. The design incorporates an extended staircase linking the basement to the upper levels, and makes use of solar energy to provide electricity. Fine metal mesh has 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.
Working together with AEDAS from Singapore, Taiwan's Ho + Hou Studio's design keeps the two buildings separate above ground, but links them at the basement. Its proposal includes building a framework of tall columns in wood laminate
Laminate
A laminate is a material that can be constructed by uniting two or more layers of material together. The process of creating a laminate is lamination, which in common parlance refers to the placing of something between layers of plastic and gluing them with heat and/or pressure, usually with an...
which resemble the stilts
Stilts
Stilts are poles, posts or pillars used to allow a person or structure to stand at a distance above the ground. Walking stilts are poles equipped with steps for the feet to stand on, or straps to attach them to the legs, for the purpose of walking while elevated above a normal height...
structures of a kelong
Kelong
A Kelong is a Malay word to describe a form of offshore platform built predominantly with wood, and can be found in waters off Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia, while only a handful remains around Singapore due to rapid urbanisation.Kelongs are built by fishermen primarily for fishing...
. Natural light is controlled through lattices
Latticework
Latticework is a framework consisting of a criss-crossed pattern of strips of building material, typically wood or metal. The design is created by crossing the strips to form a network...
and louvre
Louver
A louver or louvre , from the French l'ouvert; "the open one") is a window, blind or shutter with horizontal slats that are angled to admit light and air, but to keep out rain, direct sunshine, and noise...
s through a glazed roof. It was praised by the jury for its "well-thought-through arrangement of its terraced gallery and related spaces", and was ranked second.
Singapore's Chan Sau Yan Associates partnered with environmental design
Environmental design
Environmental design is the process of addressing surrounding environmental parameters when devising plans, programs, policies, buildings, or products...
company Lekker Design, and their design involves building a main entry portal
Portal (architecture)
Portal is a general term describing an opening in the walls of a building, gate or fortification, and especially a grand entrance to an important structure. Doors, metal gates or portcullis in the opening can be used to control entry or exit. The surface surrounding the opening may be made of...
between the two buildings. The firm created an extra storey
Storey
A storey or story is any level part of a building that could be used by people...
on the roof of City Hall, which can be used as additional gallery space. The design has translucent walls that allow viewers to see the adjacent
Adjacent
Adjacent is an adjective meaning contiguous, adjoining or abuttingIn geometry, adjacent is when sides meet to make an angle.In graph theory adjacent nodes in a graph are linked by an edge....
historic walls of City Hall and the former Supreme Court. Overhead bridges are used to connect both buildings, and the naturally lit and ventilated
Natural ventilation
Natural ventilation is the process of supplying and removing air through an indoor space without using mechanical systems. It refers to the flow of external air to an indoor space as a result of pressure or temperatures differences. There are two types of natural ventilation occurring in...
entrance helps to conserve energy
Energy conservation
Energy conservation refers to efforts made to reduce energy consumption. Energy conservation can be achieved through increased efficient energy use, in conjunction with decreased energy consumption and/or reduced consumption from conventional energy sources...
. The design was complimented by the jury for its "pure simplicity
Simplicity
Simplicity is the state or quality of being simple. It usually relates to the burden which a thing puts on someone trying to explain or understand it. Something which is easy to understand or explain is simple, in contrast to something complicated...
and clever integration of spaces".
DP Architects
DP Architects
DP Architects Pte Ltd is one of the largest architectural practices in Singapore.-Corporate Profile:DP Architects started as Design Partnership in 1967, incorporated as a private limited company in 1993, and evolved to the present as the heart of the DP group of companies – a multi-disciplinary...
sought to retain the buildings' original character
Character
- Art and entertainment :* Character , an agent in a work of art, including literature, drama, cinema, opera, etc.* Character , a 1997 Dutch film, based on the novel by Dutch author Ferdinand Bordewijk* Character , by Dark Tranquillity...
and uses moving images on screen to create movement, while Smart Design Studio's design sports orchid-inspired structures and has a "porous" internal street.
Winner of competition and appointed contractor
In May 2008, Studio Milou Singapore, in partnership with CPG Consultants (Singapore), was appointed to design and build the National Art Gallery.Studio Milou Architecture is a French architectural firm, with branches in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
and Singapore that specialise in the design of museums and cultural spaces. Led by principal architect and lead partner Jean-Francois Milou, the firm has a reputation for working with adaptive reuse of historical buildings, seeking imaginative solutions while respecting the building’s historical fabric, meaning and surroundings.
CPG Consultants, a subsidiary of CPG Corporation
CPG Corporation
The CPG Corporation is a leading infrastructure and building development company in Singapore which constructs and maintain public infrastructure in Singapore such as government buildings, and many more.-History:...
, is a multi-disciplinary design consultancy firm. Headquartered in Singapore, CPG Consultants has extensive expertise in conservation and preservation
Historic preservation
Historic preservation is an endeavor that seeks to preserve, conserve and protect buildings, objects, landscapes or other artifacts of historical significance...
of buildings. To date, the company has completed over 20 such projects in Singapore, most of which are gazetted monuments.
On 21 December 2010, The National Art Gallery, Singapore appointed Takenaka
Takenaka Corporation
is the biggest architecture, engineering, and construction firm in Japan. Its headquarters is in Chūō-ku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture.The company's website also claims it to be the oldest firm of that type anywhere in the world, since the demise of Kongō Gumi which was substantially older...
-Singapore Piling Joint Venture as the main construction contractor for the new Gallery. The construction works on the buildings will start in January 2011 and is predicted to be completed in about 44 months. The Gallery is slated to open progressively from end 2014 onwards.
The Buildings
Both the City Hall and former Supreme Court buildings are national monuments and have played a significant role in Singapore’s history. The buildings face onto an open field known as the PadangPadang, Singapore
The Padang is an open field located within the Downtown Core of the Central Area in Singapore, at the heart of Singapore's central business district. It was formerly known as the Padang Cricket Ground...
, which is a Malay word meaning “flat field”.
Former Supreme Court
The Former Supreme Court building 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.The former Supreme Court building is the former courthouse of the Supreme Court of Singapore, before it moved out of the building and commenced operations in the new building on 20 June 2005.
The architecture of the former Supreme Court building is in harmony with that of its neighbour, the City Hall. The general layout of the building exemplifies British colonial architecture
Architecture of Singapore
The architecture of Singapore displays a range of influences and styles from different places and periods. These range from the eclectic styles and hybrid forms of the colonial period to the tendency of more contemporary architecture to incorporate trends from around the world...
, comprising four blocks of offices and courtrooms surrounding a central rotunda
Rotunda (architecture)
A rotunda is any building with a circular ground plan, sometimes covered by a dome. It can also refer to a round room within a building . The Pantheon in Rome is a famous rotunda. A Band Rotunda is a circular bandstand, usually with a dome...
with a dome, 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 contractor for the building.
The Corinthian
Corinthian order
The Corinthian order is one of the three principal classical orders of ancient Greek and Roman architecture. The other two are the Doric and Ionic. When classical architecture was revived during the Renaissance, two more orders were added to the canon, the Tuscan order and the Composite order...
and Ionic columns, sculptures and relief panels were the works of Italian artist, Cavaliere Rudolfo Nolli
Rudolfo Nolli
Cavaliere Rudolfo Nolli — was a sculptor and architect from Lombardy, who during the first half of the 20th century worked mainly at the gulf of Siam....
.
City Hall
Designed by the British Municipal architect A Gordon, the City Hall building was built between 1926 and 1929, and was originally known as the Municipal Building. It is used to house the offices of the Municipal Council, which was responsible for the provision of water, electricity, gas, roads and bridges and streetlighting. From 1963 to 1991, City Hall came to house offices of several government departments and courtrooms.The City Hall building 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
Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma
Admiral of the Fleet Louis Francis Albert Victor Nicholas George Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, KG, GCB, OM, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO, DSO, PC, FRS , was a British statesman and naval officer, and an uncle of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...
accepted the surrender of the Japanese forces
Japanese Occupation of Singapore
The Japanese occupation of Singapore in World War II occurred between about 1942 and 1945 after the fall of Singapore on 15 February 1942. Military forces of the Empire of Japan occupied Singapore after defeating the combined Australian, British, Indian and Malayan garrison in the Battle of Singapore...
on 12 September 1945, on behalf of the Allied forces. The building also housed the office of Mr Lee Kuan Yew
Lee Kuan Yew
Lee Kuan Yew, GCMG, CH is a Singaporean statesman. He was the first Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, governing for three decades...
, 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
Neoclassical architecture
Neoclassical architecture was an architectural style produced by the neoclassical movement that began in the mid-18th century, manifested both in its details as a reaction against the Rococo style of naturalistic ornament, and in its architectural formulas as an outgrowth of some classicizing...
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.
The National Art Gallery, Singapore
At 60,000 square metres in size, the National Art Gallery will be the largest visual arts venue and largest museum in Singapore. The proposed design for the new National Art Gallery elegantly integrates the City Hall and former Supreme Court buildings, creating a unique blend between the old and the new. It introduces contemporary architecture to rejuvenate the old, while maintaining a deep respect for the original architecture of these buildings. A new basement level will be created, connecting the two buildings, providing a large concourseConcourse
A concourse is a place where pathways or roads meet, such as in a hotel, a convention center, a railway station, an airport terminal, a hall, or other space.-Examples:Examples of concourses include:* Meeting halls* Universities* Railway stations...
area for visitor services. Connecting bridges between the buildings will also allow visitors to move easily between the buildings.
The Galleries
- Singapore Gallery - presents an authoritative collection of Singapore art from the 19th century and colonial periodColonial PeriodColonial Period may generally refer to any period in a country's history when it was subject to administration by a colonial power.*Korea under Japanese rule*Colonial history of the United States...
, to present day
- Southeast Asia Gallery- showcases Southeast Asian works, introducing visitors to the art historical developments in the region and their relationship to Singapore art
- Special set of Research Galleries - complements the core galleries, providing space for curators and researchers to experiment with new and innovative ways of presenting materials from the Gallery’s permanent collection, and to encourage greater dialogue between our national collection, and those of other regional institutions
- A unique children’s museumChildren's museumChildren's museums are institutions that provide exhibits and programs to stimulate informal learning experiences for children. In contrast with traditional museums that typically have a hands-off policy regarding exhibits, children's museums feature interactive exhibits that are designed to be...
will also be created, providing fun, multi-sensory learningLearning stylesLearning styles are various approaches or ways of learning. They involve educating methods, particular to an individual, that are presumed to allow that individual to learn best. Most people prefer an identifiable method of interacting with, taking in, and processing stimuli or information...
opportunities for children of all ages. Children centred spaces includes a playground for toddlers and young children, wet/dry activity workshops, interactive mediaInteractive mediaInteractive media normally refers to products and services on digital computer-based systems which respond to the user’s actions by presenting content such as text, graphics, animation, video, audio, etc.-Terminology:...
rooms, as well as learning spaces for secondary and tertiary studentsTertiary educationTertiary education, also referred to as third stage, third level, and post-secondary education, is the educational level following the completion of a school providing a secondary education, such as a high school, secondary school, university-preparatory school...
.
- Changing gallery spaces – almost 6,000 square metres of spaces providing opportunities to host and jointly curate international travelling exhibitions
The Rooftop Plaza
A distinctive metal and glass canopyCanopy (building)
A canopy is an overhead roof or else a structure over which a fabric or metal covering is attached, able to provide shade or shelter. A canopy can also be a tent, generally without a floor....
, supported by tree-like columns, integrates the buildings at roof level, creating a civic plaza in the sky. Bathed in unfiltered, natural light, the rooftop plaza will be a premier day and night destination, vibrant with performances, exhibitions, talks, events and eateries. Visitors can dine at one of several restaurants or cafés, or walk through displays of some of the largest pieces of modern
Modern art
Modern art includes artistic works produced during the period extending roughly from the 1860s to the 1970s, and denotes the style and philosophy of the art produced during that era. The term is usually associated with art in which the traditions of the past have been thrown aside in a spirit of...
and contemporary art
Contemporary art
Contemporary art can be defined variously as art produced at this present point in time or art produced since World War II. The definition of the word contemporary would support the first view, but museums of contemporary art commonly define their collections as consisting of art produced...
, while enjoying spectacular views of the city.
Programme and Facilities
By day, the Gallery will offer learning and education opportunities for all, through its engaging exhibition displays, artist talks, children’s programmes and other related activities. By night, the Gallery will transform into a stylish and vibrant after dark venue, with a good variety of restaurants and cafés for eating and drinking, as well as an exciting line-up of outdoor programmes, events, film screenings and concerts for all visitors.The National Art Gallery will also provide venues for hire for conferences
Academic conference
An academic conference or symposium is a conference for researchers to present and discuss their work. Together with academic or scientific journals, conferences provide an important channel for exchange of information between researchers.-Overview:Conferences are usually composed of various...
, seminars, film screening
Film screening
A film screening is the displaying of a motion picture or film, generally referring to a special showing as part of a film's production and release cycle...
s, performances and private functions. The Gallery will house a 300-seat auditorium
Auditorium
An auditorium is a room built to enable an audience to hear and watch performances at venues such as theatres. For movie theaters, the number of auditoriums is expressed as the number of screens.- Etymology :...
, another 200-seat white box performance
Black box theater
The black box theater is a relatively recent innovation, consisting of a simple, somewhat unadorned performance space, usually a large square room with black walls and a flat floor.-History:...
venue, and several function and seminar room spaces for various types of events and corporate functions.
Collection and Display
The National Art Gallery will focus on displaying 19th and 20th century Southeast Asian art, including Singapore art. Through a comprehensive collection, the Gallery will present the development of Singapore and regional cultures, so as to tell the story of their socialSocial
The term social refers to a characteristic of living organisms...
, economic and political histories
Political history
Political history is the narrative and analysis of political events, ideas, movements, and leaders. It is distinct from, but related to, other fields of history such as Diplomatic history, social history, economic history, and military history, as well as constitutional history and public...
.
While the body of works at the National Art Gallery falls largely within the area of modern art
Modern art
Modern art includes artistic works produced during the period extending roughly from the 1860s to the 1970s, and denotes the style and philosophy of the art produced during that era. The term is usually associated with art in which the traditions of the past have been thrown aside in a spirit of...
, the Gallery strives towards understanding the collection in new and varied ways – taking on a contemporary approach and interpretation of the development of Southeast Asian art. The Gallery will look beyond national and regional boundaries of art, and take on a wider ambit of international visual arts culture, research into our Asian heritage and cultural affiliations, and engage with global cultures and discourses.
Singapore’s National Collection started with an original bequest of 93 works made to the National Museum
National Museum of Singapore
The National Museum of Singapore is a national museum in Singapore and the oldest museum in Singapore. Its history dates back to 1849 when it was started as a section of a library at Singapore Institution...
in 1976, by the well-known cinema magnate and art patron, Dato Loke Wan Tho
Loke Wan Tho
Loke Wan Tho born in Kuala Lumpur , was a cinema magnate, ornithologist, and photographer. He was the founder of Cathay Organisation in Singapore and Malaysia, and Motion Picture and General Investments Limited in Hong Kong....
. Through careful nurturing over the years, this collection has grown significantly to approximately 8,000 pieces in 2010. The National Heritage Board
National Heritage Board (Singapore)
The National Heritage Board is a statutory board of the Singapore Government, under the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts ....
is presently the custodian of this collection, the world’s largest public collection of modern and contemporary Southeast Asian art.
The collection's strength lies in its comprehensive representation of Singapore art and its unparalleled holdings of works by major Singaporean artists such as Georgette Chen
Georgette Chen
Georgette Chen, born Chang Li Ying is a Singapore painter known for her Post-Impressionistic styled oil paintings at the turn of the 20th-century. She was a forerunner of the visual arts in Singapore, who contributed to the birth of the Nanyang art style in Singapore.Chen was born the fourth of 12...
, Chen Chong Swee
Chen Chong Swee
Chen Chong Swee is a Singaporean watercolourist belonging to the pioneer generation of artists espousing the Nanyang-styled painting unique to Singapore, at the turn of the 20th century...
, Chen Wen Hsi
Chen Wen Hsi
Chen Wen Hsi , is one of Singapore's pioneer artists, known for his avant-garde Chinese paintings.He was born in Baigong in Guangdong province, and had his early education at Chen Li Primary School and St...
, Cheong Soo Pieng
Cheong Soo Pieng
Cheong Soo Pieng was a Singaporean artist who was a pioneer of the Nanyang art style, and a driving force to the development of Modernism in visual art in the early 20th-century Singapore...
and Liu Kang
Liu Kang (artist)
Liu Kang was a Singaporean artist famous for his Balinese-themed figurative paintings. He was a founding member of the Singapore Art Society, and was credited with developing the Nanyang style....
. Through an active acquisition policy of purchases and donations, the collection now spans from early 20th century naturalistic paintings to contemporary video installations. The collection also holds significant pieces from Southeast Asian artists of international standing, such as Affandi
Affandi
Affandi was born in Cirebon, West Java, as the son of R. Koesoema, who was a surveyor at a local sugar factory. Affandi finished his upper secondary school in Jakarta, but he forsook his study for the desire to become an artist. Affandi taught himself how to paint since 1934...
(Indonesia), Latiff Mohidin (Malaysia), Le Pho (Vietnam), Montien Boonma (Thailand) and Fernando Cueto Amorsolo
Fernando Amorsolo
Fernando Amorsolo y Cueto is one of the most important artists in the history of painting in the Philippines. Amorsolo was a portraitist and painter of rural Philippine landscapes. He is popularly known for his craftsmanship and mastery in the use of light...
(Philippines). Apart from displays within Singapore, this collection has also travelled to international museums and exhibition venues in the Americas, Europe and Asia.
Current and past exhibitions
| Exhibition | Artist | Synopsis | Exhibition period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liu Kang: A Centennial Celebration | Liu Kang Liu Kang (artist) Liu Kang was a Singaporean artist famous for his Balinese-themed figurative paintings. He was a founding member of the Singapore Art Society, and was credited with developing the Nanyang style.... |
This exhibition is held in commemoration of the artist’s centennial year of birth. Featuring 100 works by Liu Kang, this exhibition invites visitors on a journey of exploration into the life and mind of the artist. | 29 July 2011 - 16 October 2011 |
| Seeing the Kites Again Series II | Wu Guanzhong Wu Guanzhong Wu Guanzhong was a contemporary Chinese painter widely recognized as the father of modern Chinese painting. Wu had painted various aspects of China, including much of its architecture, plants, animals, people, as well as many of its landscapes and waterscapes in a style reminiscent of the... |
This exhibition is inspired by the late master Wu Guanzhong’s metaphor of a kite and how it expresses the connection between an artist, his life and the people around him. The current exhibition showcases some of Wu’s most outstanding works produced from 1960s to 2000s in the oil and ink medium. | 13 June 2011 - 12 November 2012 |
| Notable Acquisitions Exhibition | - | An on-going display of works from the museum’s donation collection. New works are added to the permanent collection through the donations of individuals and corporations. | On-going |
| In memory of Wu Guanzhong:Seeing the Kites Again | Wu Guanzhong Wu Guanzhong Wu Guanzhong was a contemporary Chinese painter widely recognized as the father of modern Chinese painting. Wu had painted various aspects of China, including much of its architecture, plants, animals, people, as well as many of its landscapes and waterscapes in a style reminiscent of the... |
An exhibition held to showcase the works donated by Mr Wu Guanzhong, a leading Chinese painter, art educator and essayist in the 20th century. He was known for the crossing and synthesis of two major art forms - ink and oil. | 14 December 2009 - 1 May 2011 |
| Cheong Soo Pieng: Bridging Worlds | Cheong Soo Pieng Cheong Soo Pieng Cheong Soo Pieng was a Singaporean artist who was a pioneer of the Nanyang art style, and a driving force to the development of Modernism in visual art in the early 20th-century Singapore... |
Cheong Soo Pieng: Bridging Worlds celebrates the works and creative processes of one of Singapore’s local art pioneers. This exhibition chronicles the journey and artistic process of a man who lived, breathed, and reshaped art. | 15 September 2010 - 26 December 2010 |
| The Story of Yeh Chi Wei | Yeh Chi Wei | Yeh Chi Wei led the Ten Men Group on painting expeditions to Southeast Asian countries and was a great source of inspiration and encouragement to many other artists. This exhibition showcased Yeh’s artistic achievements and celebration of Southeast Asia through art. | 27 May 2010 - 12 September 2010 |
| Realism In Asian Art | Various | Realism Realism (visual arts) Realism in the visual arts is a style that depicts the actuality of what the eyes can see. The term is used in different senses in art history; it may mean the same as illusionism, the representation of subjects with visual mimesis or verisimilitude, or may mean an emphasis on the actuality of... in Asian Art explored the impact of realist approaches to painting in different parts of Asia. This exhibition displayed the different kinds of realism that were produced across Asia and was the first-ever attempt to understand a strong and important genre in Asian modern art. |
9 April 2010 - 4 July 2010 |
Travelling Shows
| Exhibition | Venue | Period | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Meets West – The Exhibition of Wu Guangzhong’s Paintings |
Zhejiang Art Museum | 20 November to 25 December 2010 | The artworks of the late master Chinese painter Wu Guanzhong belonging to Singapore was exhibited at the Zhejiang Art Museum in Hangzhou. Titled East Meets West – The Exhibition of Wu Guangzhong’s Paintings, it comprised a total of 307 works of art by Wu, of which 76 will hail from Singapore’s national collection. Singapore’s contribution of works was the second largest amongst the eight participating art institutions. |
See also
- Singapore Art MuseumSingapore Art MuseumThe Singapore Art Museum contains the national art collection of Singapore. It has a collection of 7,750 pieces of Singaporean and Southeast Asian modern and contemporary art, and has an expanding collection of new Asian and international contemporary art.- History :Officially opened in 1996, it...
- National Heritage BoardNational Heritage Board (Singapore)The National Heritage Board is a statutory board of the Singapore Government, under the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts ....
- Ministry of Information, Communications and The ArtsMinistry of Information, Communications and the ArtsThe Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts is a ministry of the Government of Singapore...
External links
- The National Art Gallery, Singapore
- Architectural Design Competition. National Art Gallery, Singapore
- Singapore MuralsSingapore MuralsSingapore Murals is an integral part of the nation's aspiration of being a renaissance city. A Public Mural is a source of heritage building, expression of the arts, national education, interactivity of interests groups.-Purpose on Portal:...
|http://murals.sg A Wikipedia page that showcase the murals in Singapore. Portal created by Social Creatives. NGO that does Community Art to make society colourful visually and emotionally] - Cheong Soo Pieng:Briding Worlds exhibition
- The Story of Yeh Chi Wei
- In memory of Wu Guanzhong: Seeing the kites again
- Realism in Asian Art exhibition